Understring Felt and Stringing Felt (Braid)

[Gordon Holley]

List.  I'm rebuilding a Starr 5' Grand and have questions regarding 
the felt application that WAS used in this piano in 1936 and should I 
do anything different today.  I'm having Danny at G.C. Piano, 
Scarsborough, Ont., make new bass strings and is rescaling the tenor 
and treble.  The strings should be in hand in about a week so I've 
got time to order additional felt if needed.  
Question 1.  There was no stringing felt, interwoven, used in the non-
speaking lengths of the bass strings between the bass bridge and the 
hitch pins. However, there was understring felt, with holes punched 
in for the hitch pins, the full length of the bass mono and bi-chord 
strings.  Should I now use stringing felt in this position?
Queston 2.  There was no understring felt on the tuning pin side of 
the front bearing bar in the non-speaking length, between the bar and 
the pins.  I've seen other grands with this application where the 
felt, approx. 1/2" width, was snugged up to the side of the bearing 
bar.  Again should I now use a felt here in this position.  
Would these two felt applications, if felt was now inserted, have an 
adverse effect on the sound.  
I must admit, this is my first attempt of this magnitude, and I'm 
learning.  I've refinished the soundboard, have new hammers and 
shanks in hand to install, new pin and bushings to install, new 
damper wire guide rail bushings do do yet,  refinished the plate with 
Steinway Gold and topcoat in on the way, new pedal rods, plate bolts 
polished with a coat of lacquer applied.
Many list members have contributed to the steps with suggestions, 
hints, and material sources, and many have said on the list, "If you 
can't find the answer, just ask and we'll help".  Well, I'm asking 
for some additional help.  And hopefully, being a new born of 18 
months, I won't get "Boo'd out of the class" for asking, what the 
more experienced ptg members would consider as, such an elemental 
question. 
And, this is addressed to other "newbees" out there, "Stay the 
course, don't be afraid to ask questions, and study and practice over 
and over 'till you get it right".
I thank you all for your contributions in advance. Respectfully,
Gordon Holley, Goshen, Indiana.