This can work very well, producing a change of tone similar to an una corda pedal.
A strip of thin muslin will produce a noticeable change in the voice. Just try a sample of cloth held in place by hand.
Then attach it to the rail or felt by sewing, trim the muslin edge to match the existing felt, then cut away enough felt so that only the muslin is between the hammers and strings. Leave the rest of the original felt in place as a support layer.
I use this on my Yamaha U-1 with great joy, and don't understand why it is not more common.
[Take some good photos, and let's make an article for the Journal.}
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Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com(980) 254-7413
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2017 19:11
From: Rob Mitchell
Subject: Sordino Pedal
I have customer with a Bechstein 8 and he's asked about replacing the practice rail (which he never uses) with something more useful. He would like to consider the notion of putting in a much thinner layer of felt to create a "sordino pedal" similar to what Steingraeber offers.
Just wondering if anyone has tried this on an upright and can make any recommendations for a selection of felt. I may just buy some and give it a try.
I also worry that it may not work very well when the sordino and sustain pedals are both engaged. With a practice rail engaged, you can sometimes hear adjacent notes faintly playing if the dampers are lifted from the felt bumping the neighboring strings.
Thanks!
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Rob Mitchell, RPT
San Francisco CA
415-994-1030
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