Cork Alternatives for mutes

[ExZacLee]

(Mods feel free to move if this is the wrong place)

Hey collective hive mind - what alternatives do you use for cork? I'm thinking some kind of stick-on rubber nubbins or something along those lines. I have a Jo-ral bubble mute and the cork has sloughed off as it's wont to do on these things - and re-attaching the cork back is only a short term fix.

Any ideas as to what might be a better way to go on this? I'm using it on small bore horns, a 2B at the moment, if that helps.

[hyperbolica]

There's that cork/rubber hybrid stuff you can get. Stickier than straight cork. Varying thicknesses. Enough to last a career for $6.

https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/pr ... _MQAvD_BwE

[Jimkinkella]

There's that cork/rubber hybrid stuff you can get. Stickier than straight cork. Varying thicknesses. Enough to last a career for $6.

https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/pr ... _MQAvD_BwE

Great idea!
I was wondering that myself, hadn't thought of that.
Here's a great source if you and your friends want to chip in (or start a shop):
https://www.mcmaster.com/cork/gasket-material/

[timothy42b]

I've heard people use strips from computer mouse pads.

I've used weather stripping rubber on a couple of Renuzit mutes, it's done okay.

The cork I've hot glued onto mutes has lasted well, even one I made from a wine cork in an emergency.

[PhilTrombone]

Some folks use model train track bedding... I have not tried it though.

[Kingfan]

Sandpaper...

[Doug Elliott]

Normal mute corks are about 1/4" thick and the easily available gasket material is thinner than that. The 1/4" rubber/cork hybrid is prohibitively expensive. I think I remember trying that material years ago and it didn't seem to work very well. You want it to stick but not too much.

I ended up just considering cork to be a maintenance item that has to be replaced periodically instead of expecting it to last forever. A hot melt glue gun is cheap and works well.

[BGuttman]

The cork on a Harmon is thinner than 1/4" and the gasket material might work.

For regular mutes I bought the thick cork tiles at Staples and cut 1/4" x 2.5" strips (6 mm x 60 mm). Attach with a glue gun.

[Bonearzt]

I use the rubberized gasket "cork" all the time.
If too thin, glue a couple of layers together!

The Weldwood Contact Cement works great, but is VERY flammable!!!!!!
NO open flames anywhere NEAR you when working with it!!!!


Eric

[whitbey]

Old tennis shoe soles work. Many years ago I tried using my daughters with the flashing lights. Just to get a brighter sound.

[Bonearzt]

Old tennis shoe soles work. Many years ago I tried using my daughters with the flashing lights. Just to get a brighter sound.

NEXT!!