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Thread: Grommets

  1. #1
    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
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    Default Grommets

    There's probably 50,000 threads about those little grommets that folks use for dampers below the bridge and above the nut, but is this the right size?

    https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Gromme...CV87SDG0N43N58

    Anybody have a good source for these if these aren't the right ones?

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  2. #2
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    I bought some from a hardware store once, thinking they would work. However, they were a bit too large and too stiff. These from Elderly are the right thing for mandolin.

    https://www.elderly.com/harmonic-sup...n-grommets.htm

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  4. #3
    Registered User John Mondick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    I bought the ones from McMaster Carr mentioned in this thread and they work perfectly.

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  6. #4
    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    My hardware store had the right size.
    Just go for the smallest one.

  7. #5
    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Thanks guys, just ordered some

    - - - Updated - - -

    ...and John, how do you like your Apitius?
    2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
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  8. #6
    Registered User John Mondick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Hey Evan -

    I can't say enough good things about the Apitius. David Benedict let me play his Vanguard and I really liked it, so I bought mine from Music Emporium without playing it. It was a great decision. It plays effortlessly and has a beautiful, complex tone. And Oliver is incredible to deal with - super nice guy. I've had a couple people offer to buy it from me, but I don't see myself ever giving it up.

    JM
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  9. #7
    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    congrats - nice to really connect with a fine instrument
    2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
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  11. #8
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Yeah, those look like the right size. Rather than spend that kind of money, find the one hardware store in your area that has at least one of everything. There's one in every town. They'll probably have 'em for 5¢ or maybe 10¢ apiece. That's how I get mine. ♫
    David Hopkins

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  13. #9
    Registered User avaldes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    I went to my local Ace Hardware with my mandolin and they were happy to let me try a few sizes. Lots of interesting conversation as well.

  14. #10
    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    I haven't needed them because there is felt attached on the underside of the tailpiece that dampens the post strings.

    I guess some tailpieces can't accommodate this feature?

    Billy
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  15. #11
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Packard View Post
    I haven't needed them because there is felt attached on the underside of the tailpiece that dampens the post strings.

    I guess some tailpieces can't accommodate this feature?

    Billy
    If it is not there I add leather, no need for the grommets, and it is permanent.
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  17. #12
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Evan,a question if i may ? - Why do you think that you need grommets ?. I had grommets on my first mandolin - it came with them. I thought that they were a mandolin requirement - so,when i bought my first 'good' mandolin,i put grommets on it. I also put grommets on my Weber "Fern" when i bought it for the same reason. I then read on here,that they're intended to kill off any unwanted 'overtones' produced 'however'.

    One day,i changed the strings on one of them,deliberately left off the grommets & heard no difference at all in the 'sound' (tone/volume & 'overtones' if there were any) of the mandolin. I removed them from the other,again,with no change in 'sound' = they were totally not needed,
    Ivan
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  18. #13
    Registered User Jim DeSalvio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    In all honesty, on most mandolins with a good tailpiece, most likely the grommets are not needed. I like the look of them, or the leather shoelace used by others. I bought my grommets from Elderly.
    Jim D

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  20. #14

    Default Re: Grommets

    IMHO a pointless affectation, like Ivan I could find them no benefit at all.

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  21. #15
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    Default Re: Grommets

    This one is easy. If you like them or need them, use them. If you don’t, don’t. Whatever floats your boat.

    The problem of sympathetic vibration below the tailpiece is real, even if not universal. Weber makes the Wood Nymph to deal with it, I don’t particularly like the design, it looks clunky to me when installed. I like the grommets. I use them even though the ringing is mild. I’m the only one who can hear it. But to me it’s not an affectation. It makes me sound better to myself. And that gives me more confidence. Use nothing, leather, felt, grommets, Wood Nymph, whatever. It’s all good.
    Don

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  23. #16
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Quote Originally Posted by multidon View Post
    This one is easy. If you like them or need them, use them. If you don’t, don’t. Whatever floats your boat.

    The problem of sympathetic vibration below the tailpiece is real, even if not universal. Weber makes the Wood Nymph to deal with it, I don’t particularly like the design, it looks clunky to me when installed. I like the grommets. I use them even though the ringing is mild. I’m the only one who can hear it. But to me it’s not an affectation. It makes me sound better to myself. And that gives me more confidence. Use nothing, leather, felt, grommets, Wood Nymph, whatever. It’s all good.
    That's the bottom line.
    David Hopkins

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    McCormick Oval Sound Hole "Reinhardt" Mandolin
    McCormick Solid Body F-Style Electric Mandolin; Slingerland Songster Guitar (c. 1939)

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  24. #17
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    Default Re: Grommets

    I questioned the need for harmonic suppression until I started playing higher on the neck. Dissonance at G chop chord up an octave is particularly noticeable. The grommets make a difference on my mando.

  25. #18

    Default Re: Grommets

    I use leather boot laces. Just a more organic look I like.
    Silverangel A
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  26. #19

    Default Re: Grommets

    5 cents?!? I went with the most expensive solution: The James tailpiece. Only $60 more than the Allen and changing strings is now a pleasure.

  27. #20
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Roy View Post
    5 cents?!? I went with the most expensive solution: The James tailpiece. Only $60 more than the Allen and changing strings is now a pleasure.
    A pleasure? A James tailpiece notwithstanding, I'd rather spend a weekend in jail than change strings.
    David Hopkins

    2001 Gibson F-5L mandolin
    Breedlove Legacy FF mandolin; Breedlove Quartz FF mandolin
    Gibson F-4 mandolin (1916); Blevins f-style Octave mandolin, 2018
    McCormick Oval Sound Hole "Reinhardt" Mandolin
    McCormick Solid Body F-Style Electric Mandolin; Slingerland Songster Guitar (c. 1939)

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  28. #21
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Ken put the Grommets on my Silverangel but I found them a little annoying. When you go to change strings or if you pop a high E, they fly off no more to be found!... I keep a regular supply of 1/2" wide leather for making my Armrests so I wove a piece of that between the strings on the tail piece end and slid a piece under the strings just above the nut. I do believe I'd definitely have sympathetic vibrations without them because if I don't mute them, my bass stings will hum if I'm playing the high courses.
    aka: Spencer
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  29. #22
    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Hey Ivan - I thought was was hearing a little noise below the bridge on one of my mandolins and thought I would give them a try. Turns out I think the James tailpiece wasn't quite closed because the sound is gone and those little grommets didn't seem to do a damn thing anyway. I honestly don't like the look of them and I know the true believers in these things will respond, but I really think it's crazy to add a bunch of extraneous gear like armrests, tone guards, roll bars etc to these otherwise beautiful instruments
    2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
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  30. #23
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Although looks have an important place in wooden instruments, the sound is paramount to me when choosing an instrument and when playing for long periods of time, even a few additions might help the sound and protect the instrument.

    Both of my Breedloves have relatively sharp edges. During a 2 or 3 hour gig, it can cut into my forearm. An arm rest will eliminate that. In addition, the Tone-Gard keeps the resonating wood away from my stomach. I believe that helps the tone. I live in the South and the humidity can skyrocket. Sometimes on stage I sweat like a whore in church writing a bad check with a stolen pen. The Gard keeps that corrosive moisture away from the instrument. The more one uses an instrument, the more some of these "prosthetic devices" can help.

    If one doesn't put an instrument through these trials and tribulations, don't use 'em.
    David Hopkins

    2001 Gibson F-5L mandolin
    Breedlove Legacy FF mandolin; Breedlove Quartz FF mandolin
    Gibson F-4 mandolin (1916); Blevins f-style Octave mandolin, 2018
    McCormick Oval Sound Hole "Reinhardt" Mandolin
    McCormick Solid Body F-Style Electric Mandolin; Slingerland Songster Guitar (c. 1939)

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  32. #24
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Smile Re: Grommets

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  34. #25
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grommets

    Sometimes the string length between the bridge and tailpiece need them. My Eastman OM does. Even with felt on the tailpiece. There is an overtone that shows up in my playing that I don't like. My Gibsons have felt added to the tailpieces and don't need it. The Strad-O-Lin doesn't need it or felt on the tailpiece.

    Each instrument is different. For grommets, I purchased from an ebay.
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