softening crusty dampers

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

At 10:31 AM 9/20/2006 -0400, you wrote:
>Barbara,
>
>To which surface do you apply the needle(s)??? I've seen it done going in 
>from the end the damper and very gently separating the fibers. I'm guess 
>that in this case, doing both sanding and needling will be necessary, if 
>not chemical treatment.
>
>Robin
>----- Original Message -----
>I suppose the degree of crusty would make a difference, but lately I had 
>success on the bass dampers (mono- & bichords) of a grand using my sanding 
>file and voicing needles.
>
>Barbara Richmond, RPT
>near Peoria, IL
>----- Original Message -----
>
>The most annoying problem, at least to the customer, is the buzzing sound 
>created when the dampers seat on the strings.  The crust that has 
>accumulated over time by the salt sea air has hardened the dampers 
>considerably.
>
>Dave Stahl


I seem to be outnumbered by those recommending this or that softening 
technique, and all the alternate suggestions have their merit (having tried 
most, over the years) but, at least in this institutional setting, the only 
permanent (errrr...  longest lasting) solution is replacement.

Just as beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone, and 
similar to trying to rinse out $&$ vertigris, the crust _will_ reassert 
itself.




Conrad Hoffsommer - Keyboard Technician
Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
1-(563)-387-1204 // Fax 1-(563)-387-1076

- Right now, I'm hoping to live until my age matches my golf score,
- Until then, I'll have to be content to have my IQ match my handicap.