Gold Springs are merely a leftover of old school traditionalism in flutemaking. Back in the day before more modern materials were available, Gold was the only substance that was viable that could be fashioned into a wire for use as a spring that was corrosion resistant. And supply was easily available. Steel came next and a blueing procedure help to cut down on the corrosion/rust problem. Finally, stainless steel became available as the perfect choice for spring material. It's inexpensive, won't corrode, and is readily available.

You simply need a reliable material to make the key go back up or hold one closed. There are two choices of acceptable material: Gold and Stainless. Unless you want to talk about opposible magnets, that works and has been done too. The wire spring is the standard and performs exactly as gold. It is even considered more durable as gold is a bit softer. Stainless steel is hard and will maintain its spring tension perfectly until someone physically changes it.

Stainless is the most appropriate choice for Spring material. Gold is good, but it is only a remnant of tradition from before stainless was readily available.

Flutemakers who use and advertise gold springs are simply afraid to stop using it because of the illusion that somehow it is better because people think it is. The line of thinking is: "I don't want to loose sales and if that's what people want to think, then let them eat cake." But there is nothing superior about a gold spring. If you do per chance happen to have either break off flush in a post and can't get it out by mechanical means, stainless can be dissolved over time in an alum solution without harming or changing anything. With a gold remnant you're stuck with more difficult means and a lot more work..

Go with the superior and more modern material...stainless springs...952-924-4141. http://www.Music2Master.com or http://www.Pearlflutes.net