softening crusty dampers

[Avery]

I'm with you, Conrad. Of course, I'm also institutionalized. Errr, 
Institutional! Oh well. Whatever! :-)

Avery

At 10:06 AM 9/20/2006, you wrote:
>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.