Does it matter where behind the bridge to put harmonic suppressor

[FrDNicholas]

I've noticed different placements of these things. Does it matter where they are as long as they're behind the bridge?

[multidon]

Interesting question. I use the rubber grommets. It is possible when using those that depending on placement you could still end up with a length of string that will vibrate sympathetically, so you might have to experiment with sliding them back and forth for maximum effect. The Weber Wood Nymph covers a larger portion of string so probably not as critical regarding placement.

[George R. Lane]

Fr. Daniel,
I don't think it matters where the suppressor goes. I have place a flat leather strip next to the tailpiece and halfway between the bridge and tailpiece, it made no difference. I now have a James tailpiece and no longer have to use any kind of suppressor.

[Mark Wilson]

don't they need to be in a precise geometric pattern to work?

[Dale Ludewig]

No.

[sblock]

No, from the standpoint of harmonic suppression. Just make sure it does not get in the way of the palm of your hand. Otherwise, place it wherever you find convenient and aesthetic.

[mandobassman]

As others have already said, with that rubber grommet touching the string, it makes no difference where it goes as long as it's behind the bridge.

[LongBlackVeil]

I always slide mine under the tailpiece cover. I just use a leather strip though, not sure if that works for the grommets. Can't even tell its there

[avaldes]

I use the rubber grommets. I think since they are not hard, they do not set up a hard vibration point (like a fret does), so they deaden the entire stretch of string between the bridge and the tailpiece. I arrange them for cool appearance.

[pops1]

I would put them at the 1st, 3rd, 5th and octave harmony spots.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Daniel - No,it doesn't matter where grommets or any other type of harmonic suppressor is placed. As long as they're touching the strings,they'll dampen any unwanted harmonics. Firstly, you need to decide if you need them at all. Use a piece of thin cloth,thread it through the strings behind the bridge & play your mandolin. Listen closely to the 'sound',then remove the cloth & try to hear any differences. If there aren't any,then you don't need anything. If you do hear any unwanted 'tones',then put the strip of cloth back & try again. If the unwanted tones vanish,then you do need some form of damping. I used to use the rubber grommets,unitil i found out i didn't need them & as Alvades mentions,you can arrange them in 'pretty patterns',
Ivan

[Bertram Henze]

I abandoned the idea of damping the area between bridge and tailpiece when I found out that another part of the strings is much more (potentially) annoying where it cannot be damped: between the nut and the fret below the one just fretted. I used to stop in the middle of playing when practising alone in a quiet room because I thought I heard some soft chatter going on like somebody was talking - but it was only those fretted-off sections of the strings; I could reproduce the chatter by muting the strings with my right hand and fret the tune with my left only.

[Drew Egerton]

I slide mine back and forth a bit from time to time, but it doesn't really matter as far as how they work. What I've noticed is that sometimes if they get too close to the bridge, I'll feel it with my right hand. Then I'll slide them back some.

Another interesting thing I've noticed is that my hands turn the high strings black pretty quickly and tend to build up a nasty gunk on them if I don't wipe them down enough. That section from the bridge to the grommet will be black, and then from the grommet back to the tailpiece looks brand new and shiny.