The Springboard is an electroacoustic coil spring instrument I built in 1994 to create new and unusual sounds that were richer—generated physically and more immediately—than was possible with electronic instruments and recorded sounds.

Aside from an interest in the sonic potential of coil springs, I began with no preconceived idea of what the Springboard should sound or look like. Initially, I did not care whether or not my experiment would result in a musical instrument at all. I knew springs had been used in early artificial reverb effects, and I was simply intrigued by the sounds of retracting springs for screen doors and garage doors. I was also intent on using readily available materials […]