| I'm not voting because my "option' isn't there. I don't *think* that it does anything other than the placebo effect. I have always believed that the structure of Brass is significantly different from that of steel in that steel has carbon atoms throughout it. Heat treatment of various types (whether hot or cold) have the effect of getting those carbon atoms to move either into the steel grains or into the spaces between the grains. In addition the treatment changes the shape/size of the grains just as it does with brass. HOWEVER, those moving carbon atoms are VERY significant in steel. Also do not forget that there is a significant amount of lead-based solder in a horn and it will have it's own way of reacting to cold/heat.
I would rather see a horn heat treated and then slowly cooled so that the stresses inherent from the rapid and uneven cooling that goes along with MASS PRODUCTION can be removed. Hand made horns that are soldered "one joint at a time" are far less likely to exhibit these built-in stresses which can inhibit the natural resonance of the horn. Personally I believe that this "one piece at a time" approach is why horns which have undergone severe rebuilding frequently play better than when they first came off the 'production line'.
Just my take on it....I do know that steel subjected to extreme cold becomes EXCEPTIONALLY BRITTLE....it can literally shatter like glass depending upon how it was previously heat treated when it is at extreme sub-zero temperatures (and, "No...the -10 F forecast for here tonight does not qualify"...)
I would love to see one or more of the custom builders comment on this one......Andy? Leigh? |