TSSN - Posted - 09/17/2020:  04:23:33

I'm sure this has been hashed out elsewhere, but in the absence of any other chatter... What do people use between the bridge and the tailpiece for harmonic supression on their mandolin?

Some mandolins don't seem to require it, and some do. Maybe that's a result of the build?

A few players I've met don't seem to notice, or don't seem to care. There seems to be a link between whether or not they are playing alone, or in a band/with someone else.

Little rubber grommets appear to be the gold standard, but I've seen folks use tape, and strips of felt. What do you use, if anything?

Yooper - Posted - 09/17/2020:  07:09:50

I put a piece of leather between the tailpiece cover and the strings. This is mostly to keep strings from rattling against the tailpiece cover, but I suppose it would also dampen any vibration of the strings below the bridge. I used to have a couple mandolins with Allen tailpieces, so no cover. I never noticed any harmonic overtones on those. But then several people who I play music with have suggested that I may be deaf. :)

Yooper - Posted - 09/17/2020:  07:10:58

I'm wondering, if this is a significant issue, why don't people put some sort of vibration suppressors on the strings between the nut and the tuning pegs. If you strum those with a pick, they ring.

Mandodennis - Posted - 09/17/2020:  11:33:29

I don't think this is a big issue on many mandolins ... however ... I do use the rubber grommets on most of my mandolins. They do not damage anything, do not get in the way and are cheap enough so as not to be a major decision.

Bowed instruments are another matter. Woof! Woof!

DogHouseMando - Posted - 11/22/2020:  18:38:42

I don't put any material in between the wood and any of the hardware anymore. At one point I tried placing some fabric between the tailpiece and the wood, but found the fabric ended up deadening a lot of the projection. My understanding of the mechanics of acoustic instruments is that the contact points from the nut to the bridge carry the majority of the tone, and if the instrument is properly intonated the harmonics should compliment the tone of the instrument. That's just my thoughts, I could be mistaken.

I will rest my forearm on the strings between the bridge and the tailpiece when playing louder and lift off the strings when playing softer or tremolo.

mandoist - Posted - 12/30/2020:  04:14:35

This ringing issue on mandolins is usually fixed by placing felt or cotton cloth between the tailpiece cover and the strings. My preference has been felt since it seems to suppress any ambient 'ringing' yet seems to least affect the vibrations between the bridge and tailpiece.



Take care to not have too much material which might cause undo pressure.

FYI: Cork is often used, but I find cork to be enough of a conductor as to be least effective in suppressing over-tones/ringing/harmonics.

peterbright - Posted - 08/19/2021:  16:25:44

My Kentucky KM 750 came from the dealer with a thin piece of leather woven between the strings. I have bought some rubber grommets to try upon changing strings.