I'd like to have the ability to practice some techniques in absolute silence. There are threads with suggestions for playing quietly: electric mando, rags stuffed under the strings, foam filler, felt picks.
About 20 years ago I bought a Harmony A style at a pawn shop and would love to transition it over to a silent practice instrument. Would replacing the strings with actual "string" (cotton or whatever), accomplish this? Any other suggestions not mentioned above?