I use action (sticker) cloth strips in the treble and bass. Tapered, two
strips cut from one, in the treble, and full width in the bass. The best
I've ever found for the center is a strip Pearl River passed out at a
national one year. It's a thin action cloth sewn to a strip of Ecsaine.
Just the right stiffness and thickness for most pianos. I carry a felt
strip too for those pianos the Pearl River strip doesn't fit. Effective
damping without excessive hassle getting the things in or out. I'm
really surprised these Pearl River strips aren't offered for sale, as
they're very good. Or maybe they are and I'm just ignorant of the fact.
Old strips get cut up for temporary mutes with string replacements.
Ron N
Original Message------
Regarding the fact that the temperament strips are usually too thick:
Although Schaff's 209T (T for thin) is pretty close on many pianos, and once they get really broken in/worn, they do get thinner. So I keep these for situations in which I need thin ones.
Also, Pianotek sells a much thinner one. (the ones I have are green and are 3mm. Their much thinker one is usually red and is 4mm.) They are not tapered, so I taper them myself and really like them. You could have a few of these on hand with different tapers.
Also, I used to keep a fairly narrow strip of basic action cloth handy in case I needed something thinner. The last one I had was brown--I think it's called sticker cloth, intended for replacing the square action cloth on the bottom of upright abstracts/stickers.
Just another nice option. I use single mutes above the dampers and many times in the bass--but I much prefer strip mutes in the mid-range. Much faster FOR ME at least.
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[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
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