Muting replacement strings

[Farrell]

I never really got a rubber mute to stay in long-term in the first place. I
keep a selection of front rail felt punchings in my string case. I'll just
slip between strings whatever size seems to fit snug - sometimes I'll use
multiple locations on the same string to maximize damping
(eliminate/minimize the thud that you sometimes will hear when only using
one mute) and to sleep well by reducing fear that one may pop out -
Sometimes it requires two pieces of felt at one locations (to make thicker).
Even if one does pop out, the mute only being felt, you will not get some
wierd rattle of the metal/wire handle buzzing against a string or
soundboard.

Sometimes I use pieces of old strip mutes also.

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clyde Hollinger" <cedel@supernet.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001 9:38 AM
Subject: Muting replacement strings


> Dave,
>
> I used to have the mutes pop out, but that rarely happens anymore.  I will
put
> the mute near the bottom of the string (in verticals), where it won't move
the
> string enough to mess up proper damping, and where it will do no harm if
it does
> pop out.  I will probably leave the string unmuted if it is high in the
treble
> if the piano rarely gets played in that area anyway.  In between I use my
best
> judgment.
>
> One can ask, what causes a mute to pop out?  That probably happens because
it is
> wedge shaped, and the vibrations cause it to want to go in the direction
of the
> thicker part.  If you mute with something that has equal thickness on both
sides
> of the string, it should stay where you put it.
>
> Regards,
> Clyde
>
> Dave Nereson wrote:
>
> >     As for leaving mutes in strings, the rubber ones anyway,  I don't
like
> > the idea since I see them pop out with just a few test blows, never mind
a
> > few days' playing.  I just tell the customer I'll have to stop by in a
few
> > days to touch-up the new string, then again in a couple weeks, and maybe
> > again in couple months.  The average owner just lets it go until the
next
> > tuning, except for piano teachers and semi-pro types.
>
>