If you use a sharp pair of end cutters, like center pin cutters, you can go along and cut the ends of the damper off below the strings. This is the way it is done in the Steinway factory and I have been successful as well. You need not cut the back set of trichords unless they too do not clear the strings and cause partial muting. If you do indeed need to remove the dampers, get a pair of very sharp, high quality scissors and trim an eightth inch of felt of each side seperately. I like to cut on the bias so that the wedge is pointed toward the ourside strings. This allows the damper to fall into place even if someone has played with them who should not have. Clipping dampers so has been my practice for many years now with excellent results. If any of this is unclear plase contact me directly. Newton nhunt@rci.rutgers.edu
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