As I understand it gold is used as it doesn’t tarnish or corrode - it’s not there to benefit the sound in any way.

I see what you done there… well played.

If you look at your hand when it is wide open and palm up you can use the tip of your thumb to touch any of the 12 (four fingers each with three) sections of your fingers. Counting in 12 might be very intuitive for early humans - or might not. Who knows.