At 14:27 -0700 21/3/08, Jurgen Goering wrote: >Dampers shaped like an "M" for bi-chords sound like a good idea. >However, my personal experience is that there is normally not a >problem with regular shaped "V" dampers for bi-chords if they are >seated correctly. For me, damping problems usually originate >elsewhere. > >Having said that, if there is a demand for this style of bass damper >felt, I can get some custom cut from high quality felt. A factory >minimum would apply to my order with the felt maker, but if there is >sufficient demand I would be willing to stock this. >Anyone interested? Such a felt is only going to be suitable for a small range of bichoed diameters with fixed spacing (agraffe). I can't see much sale for such a product. I'm currently considering another problem with an 1870 grand that has bichords right down to note 9 and no agraffes or pressure bar, so that the lowest bichords are really close together and 3.65 mm thick. In those days they used a thick flat felt all the way through, and this tends to shape itself round the strings something like an m, but I'm wondering what to use for the restoration -- perhaps upright v-section felt with a backing tapering in thickness in order to get the damper line straight and tidy-looking. The strings are at a good tension and have plenty of power, so I doubt whether the original flat felt arrangement will damp well enough unless I increase the tension on the damper-body springs (it has them) and perhaps affect the touch detrimentally. Specially shaped felts can be made starting with Steinway hammer-rest felt using a simply-made jig. JD
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