Knot, what *exactly* is making the noise? When torquing the frame, are coils of one or both of the springs overlapping, causing that weird pinging sound, or is it a metal-on-metal thing?

I'm wondering if my mechanical inclinations might be able to help in *some* way because the thought of you on a noisy saddle if it's in any reparable is enough to drive me nuts.

Without seeing it, I'm thinking an actual metal-on-metal squeak problem could be solved with copper or lithium grease (just a dab'll do ya) something thick with staying ability...but if we have overlapping coils, that might be a much more serious thing... Maybe Wallbike would have suggestions beyond a replacement (though I think you went through that already...)

Erring on the side of conservatism, I think trading up to a B68 might be a better idea, as you'll be putting lots of miles on Flossie anyway, and I think it's best to do so with a saddle that will last the test of time without lots of noisy complaints. The honeymoon period w/ flossie will ease the saddle-breakin period, so you and she can grow together as time goes on... My $.02