Bob, I have been using Dianne Hoffstetter's ProPlugs for a few years now. They come in 3 standard sizes: S-M-L(maybe XL, but I'm not sure). There is no custom fit for them, and I believe they cut the db to -20db. Without sounding like a walking commercial or unpaid endorsement for them, I really like them, and I really like them also for the cost (I think they're $35 a pair..it's been awhile since I bought a pair). For most pianos they stay in for tuning the 7th octave. There are some instances when one side comes out to do unisons in this section, and I would not be too quick to blame the plugs for this. I have noticed that the plug comes out in this section after tuning at least 2 pianos that day, so it could be my own personal fatigue level setting in. When I take the plug out, there is a distinct difference in sound level, and I wish that plug could be in to finish that section, but for me, in order to hear the unisons more clearly, I need to have my 'bad side' out. My bad side, last measured, is at a loss of 35% above 5k, but it does not prevent me from hearing what I need to hear in the 7th octave. I am trying to protect my good side for as long as I possibly can. I don't have Dianne's info in front of me, but her info can be found in the PTG Directory. I would recommend them to anyone who wants to try using plugs simply because they are very inexpensive to try, and if they work, REALLY inexpensive to use. -Phil Bondi(Fl)
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