There seems to be almost no mention of alternate types of tubing for
player use.  I found some silicone tubing at Boeing Surplus Store in
Renton, Washington, and bought 50 feet or so to see if it would be
useful.  It has some marvelous properties, mainly that it can make
sharp bends without kinking.

It also is extremely resilient.  I clamped a hemostat on it for several
days and when it was removed there was no visible change in the tube.
The insider diameter is small enough to slip on the 5/32" nipple, but
it can be stretched to go over 7/32" nipple.

Having found it so useful I employed it in a few key places in the
Ampico.  The best thing about it is that it is white and easy to
distinguish among the black tubes.  The drawback is that is too thick
to go through some of the guides.

Tygon tubing gets a bad rap because of its tendency to break down
and get gooey.  It also looks like it was stolen from the aquarium,
not inspiring confidence in the rebuilder.  But I found some in a piano
and left it as an experiment.  Twenty five years later it is still
airtight, not kinked at sharp bends, and perfectly sound.

Bill Chapman - AMICA Membership Secretary
in windy but warm Palm Springs, Calif.