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Thread: harmonic dampener grommets

  1. #1
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
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    Default harmonic dampener grommets

    When buying rubber grommets to use as harmonic dampeners, what size grommet is best?
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Here's the info you want, and in classic Cafe style, an entertaining thread to boot!

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...r-the-Mandolin

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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    I actually just ordered some more of these, and I have a couple of comments:
    • The ones I received are a little gummy/sticky - you definitely want to keep these off of the finish on your mando.
    • They are fairly easy to get on between the bridge and the tailpiece, and there is height there to avoid touching the finish.
    • I was able to get them on above the nut, but it was a bear to get them in because of the string spacing, and they got this weird twist that puts them much to close to the finish for my comfort. I need something up there, because for some mandos that's where the worst harmonics are coming from.
    • I think I will try to get some smaller ones to make this cleaner and easier. The harmonic suppressors made by Montana Lutherie (nice product by the way [NF]) have little tiny ones on the outside edges to hold them in, so they are available. Probably McMaster Carr has them. After what I just went through I think I'll see if the ML suppressor will fit up there.


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  5. #4
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Just get 'em from Elderly; these are the perfect size.
    https://www.elderly.com/products/har...26854638223424

    A pair of needle nose pliers makes it a lot easier to insert them. Just slip the end of the pliers in between the string pairs (carefully!) and that opens the space up just a little, so you can slip the grommet in.

    Buy a handful, because they tend to pop out and disappear in the carpet when you change strings...
    "Keep your hat on, we may end up miles from here..." - Kurt Vonnegut

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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    I bought a bag of around 100 which, in the words of the great Leonard Cohen, came “all the way fron China”. The price was minimal.

    Depending where you change strings, they have the habit of rolling away and hiding. Fortunately, I can’t remember breaking a string in the current century but, if you do, you’r likely to loose one.

    Try to find the rubber ones. I suspect some are made ov vinyl which will play havoc with nitro finishes if they come into contact.

  7. #6

    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Are these necessary?

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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Quote Originally Posted by texasdw View Post
    Are these necessary?
    Only if the sympathetic harmonics from the unplayed ends of strings cause a problem. Other methods are available!

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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    I have grommits on my cittern and they definitely help there. On my mandolin I just have a strip of felt under the cloud tailpiece cover and haven't noticed any ringing.

  10. #9
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Perhaps if one is playing the whole instrument, then one would get a full tonal response and have the instrument under control. This has been my experience on mandolin and other string instruments. I do not find grommets and other accessories necessary to get good tone if my hand placement is correct and effective.

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  12. #10
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Quote Originally Posted by Alfons View Post
    Here's the info you want, and in classic Cafe style, an entertaining thread to boot!

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...r-the-Mandolin
    Based on the other thread the answer is 1/8" ID, 3/8" OD
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    One warning. You should always try to get rubber and not vinyl grommets. That's probably darned near impossible to guarantee. Vinyl will eat lacquer. If one lays on a lacquer finish for any length of time it will damage the finish. In the past we've had people that lost a grommet in the bottom of the case only to find it months later stuck to the instrument. Just be careful with these. I use leather or felt under or above the strings depending on the type of tailpiece to kill the overtones. This Frank Ford article from his www.frets.com website will show you what vinyl can do to a lacquer finish.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    The James tailpiece has "built in" grommets:

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    On my Strad-O-Lin I use a piece of carpet that I wedged under the tailpiece cover. I also see leather woven in between the strings. Most anything works. I don´t see a reason to buy grommets. But if a gadget makes you happy, why not.
    Olaf

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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Vinyl will eat lacquer. If one lays on a lacquer finish for any length of time it will damage the finish.
    I've always just taken a small piece of felt cloth, rolled it up, and stuck it under the strings behind the bridge and near the tailpiece. It kills unwanted vibrations and is really easy to deal with. it never bothers the finish.

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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    I have used a piece of soft leather (deer) and placed it under the strings on the tip of the tailpiece. It dampens the strings, and since I only change one string at a time it stays in place. It won't hurt the finish should I take all the strings off and it falls off. Sometimes if there is a string whose angle doesn't touch the leather I may put a piece under the tailpiece cover, out of sight and it does the same thing. This I will glue on for my convenience, but it would come off easily should I want. Never liked the looks of the grommets or leather wound thru the strings, and this way I don't have to fuss with it every time I change strings.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  21. #15

    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    The Saturday morning invention for the grommet (Not Grommet) fans is to thread the now obsolete rawhide lace through all the holes to:
    1. Prevent ejection on string change/breakage. And protect pets from ingestion of same.
    2. Become a topic of conversation

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  23. #16
    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

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    I’ve been doing this lately. It’s a harmonic suppressor and end pin safety catch in one.

  24. #17
    Registered User Doug Edwards's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Just about anything you want to use will work. I’ve even seen scotch tape used in a pinch. I’m the past I did some ebony ones using Velcro to hold them in place.

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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Am using them on my Strad-O-Lin. Might go to a piece of leather instead. Most of the instruments I've owned don't "need" them, except this one.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    If the Strad-O-Lin has a cloud tailpiece cover on it you can simply add some stick on felt under the cover that comes down and damps the strings. It will only show if you look at it from the side.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    If the Strad-O-Lin has a cloud tailpiece cover on it you can simply add some stick on felt under the cover that comes down and damps the strings. It will only show if you look at it from the side.
    Normally would do that. This one has the cover turned up. Could still do it, but need a lot more felt (or sponge foam). Did use felt on my A Jr.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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  31. #21
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: harmonic dampener grommets

    I use a "chip clip".....
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    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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