Has anyone used the Damper felt from the Steinway plant in Queens? It seems softer than the Japanese stuff I typically use. Its not that expensive...IMO <div> </div> <div> </div> <div style="clear: both;">Dale S. Erwin www.Erwinspiano.com Sitka Soundboard Sales Ronsen Piano hammers 209-577-8397 </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div style="font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: 10pt; color: black;">-----Original Message----- From: Garret Traylor <hpp@highpointpiano.com> To: pianotech@ptg.org Sent: Thu, Apr 21, 2011 7:17 am Subject: Re: [pianotech] Damper Felt <div id="AOLMsgPart_0_caa1a1f1-d1c5-4860-b01e-0d2d892ed391" style="margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> <pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt>My situation is installing flat damper felt on the narrow heads of Chickering Grands. I have purchased a narrow felt from several American suppliers (French product). For the wedges no felt is narrow enough. My experience, I don't understand the orientation of the flat felt in this circumstance. Particularly when compared to the function of the same dimension wedge felt that is sold along side. It seems to me that the flat felt has been cut wrong at the factory all along. It has the wrong orientation therefore the wrong bias. I don't see how it could ever work, something is askew. I presented this dilemma to my Chapter a few months ago. If I am incorrect, what is the solution except to buy Yamaha felt? Are the Manufacturers aware of a problem? Kindest Regards, Garret --- -----Original Message----- From: <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a> [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org?">mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of John Delacour Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:06 AM To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Damper Felt At 21:28 -0700 20/04/2011, David Love wrote: >Preferences: horizontal cut or vertical cut--why? In principle I have always preferred horizontal because the felts have less sideways rigidity, but the problem with some horizontal strips is that the felting is too loose. For nearly all work now I buy horizontal Yamaha strips. These are more expensive but the quality is very good. For Steinways I generally use the hugely expensive original sets. I've just paid $185 + postage + 20% tax for a set for Model M but the quality is pretty good and what I spend for the pre-cut set I saver in labour. Steinway, as you know, have always used horizontal bass felts. I don't think it can really be said that one style is better than the other but the quality of the felt is very important and I am not satisfied with either the German or the French strips that most people use over here. Perhaps in America you have more variety and better quality. JD </tt></pre> </div>  </div>