What's so special about Nassau Water White Rosin Core Solder?

[njcanuck]

A vintage 5 lb roll Nassau 7076 Pedigreed Water White Rosin Core solder just sold on eBay for $153. I see other rolls listed for up to $399! What's so special about this stuff? :scratch2:

 

[js1138]

The retail price of Kester is $30 a pound, so that would be $150 for five pounds.

 

[njcanuck]

I revise my post: There's a 5lb roll of Nassau on eBay right now with a BIN of $795! One sold, one available. That's way above Kester retail price. There's gotta be something special about this stuff?

I usually buy Kester on eBay for $10 per pound.

 

[Jon_Logan]

It is very special solder. @~$159 a pound, it'd better be.

It must do more than just connecting metal.

Possibly, it lowers distortion? Creates a better tonal balance? Have an incredible impact on improving soundstage? Even if it couldn't be proven that it does any/all of these things, you could still bragg to your freinds that you made such a sonic investment.

Listening to it will clearly show it's value.

 

[js1138]

I guess it depends on which Kester.

http://www.wassco.com/Products/Kester-Solder--282-SN96-015-dia__KES-SN96--prd-015-282-66C.aspx

Kester "282" Rosin Flux is a mildly activated rosin flux that conforms to Type RMA of Federal Specification QQ-S-571. A small amount of very effective activation agent is incorporated into this Water White Gum Rosin Flux. The dry flux residue after soldering, has a very good electrical insulating properties. the non-corosive, non-conductive, fungus resistant properties of the residuere requirements for critical electronic assemblies. More active thatn Plastic Rosin Core, Kester "282" Rosin Core Flux is more effective on difficult-to-solder assemblies where fully activated flux core solder is not permissible.

 

[njcanuck]

I guess it depends on which Kester.

Kester 282 = $170 / lb. I stand corrected! (Not the first time ).

 

[Arkay]

The "water" refers to placenta; when a pregnant woman's "water breaks", it is harvested and added to the mix, which is rolled out on the lily-white thighs of virgins who have never exposed their thighs to direct sunlight; hence the "white" in the name. Rosin, as you probably know, is a by-product of heating up resins from pine trees. Only the finest and hardiest pines, over 1000 years old, are used to source the resin used to produce the rosin in this solder. Add to that the elaborate ceremonies performed at each stage of production, and the careful timing to ensure that each step occurs at the astrologically optimal time, and at only 2-3 times the price of ordinary solder, it's a real bargain!


Okay, the TRUTH? It lies in the two words that you didn't include in the name: Western Electric. Anything associated with vintage Western Electric commands a high collector's premium these days, and guess which solder has a historical connection with Western Electric? Yep - this one! :yes: Fanatical WE collectors know this, and bid up the prices. After all, if you have vintage WE gear that needs re-soldering and you want to keep it "original", you MUST have the "authentic" solder, right?! Everybody else scratches their heads and wonder what the deal is.

 

[njcanuck]

Wow! I was almost ready to buy some until the TRUTH showed up. :tears:

I guess that explains it. I was hoping there was something magical in the White Water Rosin. I sure hope that my vintage amps will still sound as good with the oldest Kester I can find at the bottom of my solder bucket. :yes:

 

[gearhound]

I thought it was made with Gray Poupon or something equally exotic?


Steve

 

[Arkay]

I thought it was made with Gray Poupon or something equally exotic?


Steve

I have a jar of that in the fridge and couldn't resist an experiment. Two conclusions: (1) It isn't a particularly effective rosin substitute, and (2) it stinks when it burns!

 

[finnbow]

The "water" refers to placenta; when a pregnant woman's "water breaks", it is harvested and added to the mix, which is rolled out on the lily-white thighs of virgins who have never exposed their thighs to direct sunlight; hence the "white" in the name. Rosin, as you probably know, is a by-product of heating up resins from pine trees. Only the finest and hardiest pines, over 1000 years old, are used to source the resin used to produce the rosin in this solder. Add to that the elaborate ceremonies performed at each stage of production, and the careful timing to ensure that each step occurs at the astrologically optimal time, and at only 2-3 times the price of ordinary solder, it's a real bargain!

Did you once work for Mapleshade?

 

[jaymanaa]

Partsconnexion sells a nice silver solder, but it takes a little practice and flux to get a shiny joint.

 

[njcanuck]

Well I didn't find any Nassau or Kester 282 in my solder bucket. :tears: But I did find a vintage roll of Kester "281" Resin core SN60 .036 solder. Google doesn't show any info. Anyone know what it's good for?

 

[andy]

$153 isn't bad considering what the stuff was going for not too long ago. I guess the market has calmed down a little (although that's still about 2-3 times what a normal old 5lb spool will go for). Solder in general is getting expensive, so it's not a bad idea to stock up. Leaded solder will get harder to find, and may become impossible to find eventually (like those CFC based contact cleaners that used to be so common). Lead free solder is often even more expensive since it usually contains silver.

 

[rnorton]

$153 isn't bad considering what the stuff was going for not too long ago. I guess the market has calmed down a little (although that's still about 2-3 times what a normal old 5lb spool will go for). Solder in general is getting expensive, so it's not a bad idea to stock up. Leaded solder will get harder to find, and may become impossible to find eventually (like those CFC based contact cleaners that used to be so common). Lead free solder is often even more expensive since it usually contains silver.

About a dollar's worth of silver in a 5 lb roll. The solder market has something like a 500% markup over their costs these days.

 

[andy]

About a dollar's worth of silver in a 5 lb roll. The solder market has something like a 500% markup over their costs these days.

Not quite, one of the most common lead free alloys is SAC305 (3% silver). 3% of 16 oz is .48 oz, and silver is about $30 an oz, so that comes out to about $14.40 worth of silver in a 1lb roll, or $72 in a 5lb roll.