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Thread: Allen tailpiece - does the felt mute the sound or not?

  1. #1
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    Default Allen tailpiece - does the felt mute the sound or not?

    I have an Allen tailpiece to fit. It comes with a piece of self adhesive felt that goes between the strings and tailpiece as they lead out, and their fitting tips say "For a slightly muted voice, felt can be applied to the leading edge of the tailpiece'. Does anyone have experience of whether that felt does mute the sound or otherwise change it so you'd notice, and does it also fulfil the function of the harmonic overtone suppressors that some fit between the tailpiece and bridge? I'm trying to figure whether to fit the felt or leave it off.

    Thanks, Max

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Allen tailpiece - does the felt mute the sound or not?

    It stops the harmonics and has nothing to do with muting the sound. Gibson mandolins have come with a piece of felt or leather for 100 years.
    "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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  4. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Allen tailpiece - does the felt mute the sound or not?

    If you're worried, try it without the felt and see if you get stray notes caused by the strings between bridge and tailpiece vibrating. These can vibrate when the fretted notes are of certain pitches, causing "sympathetic" vibrations; they can also vibrate due to the pick strokes being transmitted through the bridge saddle to the parts of the strings "south" of the bridge.

    I have mandolins with dampening materials installed within the tailpiece, and others without such dampers. I've never had a problem with un-dampened strings vibrating, but I also lack the keenest of ears, so perhaps not a good example for you.

    If you do notice unwanted notes caused by un-dampened strings, you can then install the felt. I'd say try it without, to determine if it's needed.

    Concur with Mike E that the felt should have no effect on the sound of strings between the nut and bridge.
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  6. #4
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Allen tailpiece - does the felt mute the sound or not?

    It's a harmonic suppressor to cut unwanted noise. Use if you feel it necessary.

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  8. #5
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    Default Re: Allen tailpiece - does the felt mute the sound or not?

    I have had several Allen tailpieces. As stated above, the felt is a harmonics suppressor and I have found it works reasonably well at that. I also found it does not in any way affect the volume or tone.

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  10. #6

    Default Re: Allen tailpiece - does the felt mute the sound or not?

    I have one on a mandolin that still needs an O ring on the D string or I get an octave harmonic echo when playing Celtic music. The O rings built into the James tailpiece do the job wonderfully. And its A LOT easier to restring than the Allen.

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