http://www.theremino.com/blog/gamma-spectrometry
Rap-47 + Theremino PMT Adapter
Practical XRF
I decided to use XRF to check on my metal flutes.
Most are cheap eBay flutes. But I have a few good and expensive flutes, too.
A cheap flute from China $35 + Shipping. Brand new ! Possibly silver plated
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_28_03-RAPCAP-CheapFlute.txt
An antique French flute Circa 1908 by Bonneville
Not a silver flute, although it looks like silver and may contain some silver.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillechort
Requires precise and fast air flow to make nice sound. Not so easy, but very pleasant once get used to. It sounds like a Clarinet in mid range. (My neighbor actually thought I was playing a clarinet.)
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_38_04-RAPCAP-SilverFlute.txt
An old silver fulte YFL61 by Yamaha. This will be my XRF calibration material.
Very easy to play and well balanced. But a little boring.
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_38_04-RAPCAP-SilverFlute.txt
A fake Yamaha flute (YFL271) from China. Not so bad as a flute
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_41_22-RAPCAP-FakeYamahaFlute.txt
Carrying the name of famous Rudell Co. But it looks cheap and probably OEM.
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_46_01-RAPCAP-RudellFlute.txt
Basic (but hand made) flute by Iwao flute (Japan)
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_51_46-RAPCAP-IwaoFlute.txt
The cheapest (quality wise) old flute I have from China. But it can be fun to play.
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_55_51-RAPCAP-HeimerFlute.txt
The old entry model of Yamaha flute, YFL211. Surprisingly, it has very similar spectrum as the antique and famous Bonneville flute. I was a bit disappointed to know that my favorite flute shares almost same spectrum as the relatively cheap model of Yamaha... The sound and playing experience are pretty different, though.
It may look like a silver flute from the spectrum. But it's not. Not even silver plating. (I guess it contains a bit of silver)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillechort
http://pico.dreamhosters.com/img/HISTOGRAM_2013_05_16_20_57_48-RAPCAP-YFL211Flute.txt
I may add more, later.
- See Xrf Spectrums and Xrf Spectrums Part Two for more XRF spectrums