Geoff, I haven't installed one, but I just sat through Steve Jame's demonstration at our chapter meeting last Tuesday. As I understand it, the system will take about 3 hours to install (maybe 4 for first timers) plus initial measuring. I believe his target for the technician is to make the Grand Piano Muffler cost about $500-600 for a client. It seems to me like he's got the system down pretty well now. No soldering is required anymore. For a retrofit mute rail, there's no better option--plus, unlike foam baffles, one can disengage the system with the pulling of a pin. As far as "deregulation," Steve recommends setting the let-off at just at/barely before the hammer strikes the felt. A little less power, a little less control. There's some compromise there, but it's necessary with any system that uses a mute rail. I heard the piano with the rail engaged and it certainly brought the sound down significantly. Of course, because the hammer is striking the felt over the strings, the clarity of attack is considerably muffled (hence the name, right?). I'd compare the sound to just about any upright with the mute rail installed; it's perhaps even a bit quieter. I'm sure Steve would be happy to answer any of your questions. Good luck! -Ben Ben Gac, RPT Ben's Piano Tuning (708) 488-1450 - office (630) 291-5654 - mobile Ben at BensPianoTuning.com www.BensPianoTuning.com ---------- Greetings All - I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail kit at PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it work without forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that matter, does it work? I have a customer who only gets to play late at night and her neighbors are complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam underneath? I'm open to recommendations. -- Geoff . Geoff Sykes, RPT . 626-799-7545 . <http://www.ivories52.com> www.ivories52.com Ben Gac, RPT Ben's Piano Tuning (630) 291-5654 - cell (708) 488-1450 - office Ben at BensPianoTuning.com www.BensPianoTuning.com
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