Man, I'm a posting fool today

[AlanN]

Any suggestions out there for a material to damp the north-of-nut string section? I have the rubber thingies on the tailpiece, but looking for something smaller, unobtrusive for that area.

[Jerry Byers]

You could try a leather strip. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Kevin K]

I went to the local cobbler and got a nice piece of scrap leather for free. Took the strings off, trimmed to fit. Was thick enough that without the strings on, the leather was taller than the slots. With strings on, they rest in the nut slot but the down pressure going to the tuners rested on the leather killing in noise. No ringing at all there now.

[Bob DeVellis]

On one of mine, I have a strip of leather with some of those sticky felt pads they sell for putting under vases, etc so they don't scratch your coffee table. THe black felt visually blends into the headstock veneer from a distance of more than about a foot, so it's hard to see that there's anything there at all. The felt is fairly thin, so that it was possible to tailor the thickness of the damper by putting more or fewer layers. I did mine so that the felt gently presses against the strings and everything stays in place but If I wanted to remove the whole damper, I could get it out without loosening the strings. If you can find black felt (hobby stores should have it), just making a little "tootsie roll" of the stuff and sliding it in there would work just as well. It doesn't require much force to dampen the strings, just solid contact with the felt.

[AlanN]

Thanks all, the unpleasant ring will soon be a dead duck http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Steven Stone]

I use Silencer grommets in my headstock as well as behind the bridge.I've attached a B&W pic.

[AlanN]

I know, Steve. I did that too, 2 issues, for me:

1) They get in my way (believe it or not)
2) a mark was left

[acousticphd]

The felt is a good idea. I used a uke pick (which was dark grey felt) cut in half to make a couple of tailpiece muters, but the material was too thin to put above the nut and firmly damp the strings. I use leather strips, or lately, little rectangles of sponge or foam, the stuff that electronic components often come packed in. It isn't so aesthetic, but then again, I play old-time, so who cares.:;):