Pure Tone Strings

[A440A@AOL.COM]

Newton writes: 
>Tone duration is a function of the spring quality of the string. 

Greetings, 
    While I agree that the spring quality of the string can't be discounted, 
duration (sustain) is, imho, more a function of impedance.  The stiffer the 
termination, the less absorbtion of string energy, and the longer it takes 
for the string to transfer its energy. Thus, the string  on a pedal steel 
guitar, with virtually fixed termination points and no  mechanical connection 
to a sounding board, has tremendous sustain, while a piano does not, chiefly 
because the soundboard is bleeding the energy out of the string to produce 
sound.  
(just a Gnashville take on things.......) 
REgards, 
Ed Foote RPT