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Obsolete mutes?

  • 1.  Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 11:38

    Hi,

     

    Does anyone know where I can purchase these split mutes or does anyone have some they would sell? I have been using modified wire versions but they not nearly as efficient as the ones pictured here.   

     

    Thanks!

     

    Randy Prentice Piano Service

    1661 N Pima Court

    Tucson, AZ 85716

    520-749-3788

     



  • 2.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-30-2021 12:02
    Steve James of the Illinois North Shore Chapter gave me this one in June and it has been the best mute for verticals I have ever used. I often use just that single mute for the whole piano. He 3D prints them.


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    Wesley Owen
    Evanston IL
    847-257-5554
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 12:09
    I see that it is cut similar to the sample I posted. Perhaps I will try to contact Steve James. Thanks, Wesley.

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    Randy Prentice
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-01-2021 15:46
    Mutes? RiteAid, art stor e,  dollar store ERASERS, $1,00 a pair. Cut to size and shape, single, double. Good 1/8 or 1/16 dowels. Cut to desired length, pencil sharpener in ice-picked end hole!
    Bill







    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-30-2021 12:06
    I loved my original split mute, like the one you show. I don't think they're available anymore and I gave up even looking a very long time ago. So I made my own by simply gluing two mutes together. Two standard felt mutes, about 2 cm wide, glued together with a slight offset for grands. Two standard rubber mutes, about 1 cm, wide, glued together with a slight offset for uprights. 

    Homemade split mute


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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 12:14
    That is interesting and an idea that I had wondered about, myself. I may have to try it. Thanks, Geoff.

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    Randy Prentice
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-30-2021 13:08
    Randy

    I have kept my steel shaft in my tool bag to dislodge items between keys.  But I've made my own split mute from a regular rubber mute by slicing it with a razor blade. It's a little tricky, but look at the mute on the steel shaft and duplicate it.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 16:04
    I actually have one of the mutes you've pictured. However, I've not ever known what to do with it. How do you use it?

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 16:09
    They're good for what Wim said: getting junk out from between key sticks. I use mine to insert strip mutes. I cut the end to an angle so it's easier to insert without the sharp corner getting in the way. They also make good glue spreaders. I don't use it as a mute.

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS

    Live not by fear or lies.
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-30-2021 16:15
    Terry --

    They're used on tri-chords. You place it over the three strings, muting left and right strings and leaving the center string open. Tune the center string and move the split mute to the next tri-chord note. That mutes the left and right strings of the new note but also continues to mute the right string of the previous note, allowing you to now tune the left string unison to the now in-tune center string. Next you tune the center string of the currently split muted note. Now, move the split mute on to the next note, go back and complete the unison tuning of the original note by bringing in the now free right string, tune the now free left string of the last note and move on to the center string of the currently split muted note. Does that help?

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-30-2021 20:59
    Geoff: OOOOHHHH!!!! YES! 

    Randy: pretty sure I have one you can have. I just have to find it. Will let you know.

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    Maggie Jusiel, RPT
    Athens, WV
    (304)952-8615
    mags@timandmaggie.net
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 21:06
    Thank you so much, Maggie.

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    Randy Prentice
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 05-01-2021 06:24
    Thanks for the explanation Geoff. I wonder though, what is the advantage of doing that compared to using two non-split mutes and leapfrogging down the scale in the traditional manner?

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-01-2021 07:14
    I use the split mute on all vertical pianos. When trying with two mutes it takes more fiddling with the wire handles often getting in the way. It can be done if you want to experiment with the technique.

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 18:45
    How do you use it? You put in an envelope addressed to me. And I'll send you some $$. That's how you use it. ;-)

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    Randy Prentice
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
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    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Posted 04-30-2021 22:14
    The April 2003 journal has a tip for a home-assembled split mute that I have used almost from the beginning of my time as a piano technician.  I modify it by bending an offset into the wire handle.  I love this thing!  At only a quarter of an inch thick, tuning through the low treble of an upright is usually pretty smooth.

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    Floyd Gadd
    Regina SK
    306-502-9103
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    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-01-2021 00:24
    NO!  Me! Me!  Send it to me!

    My stash of these is growing old and I am worried as I use these every day.

    The ones made from a single, wire handled mute aren't as good, though they work.

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Obsolete mutes?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-01-2021 01:20
    BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  If I happen to find 2, I'll give you dibs on the second. 😜

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    Maggie Jusiel, RPT
    Athens, WV
    (304)952-8615
    mags@timandmaggie.net
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    Original Message