Cork Alternatives for mutes

ExZacLee · by **ExZacLee** » 2020-06-17 1:38 p.m.

(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 · by **hyperbolica** » 2020-06-17 1:54 p.m.

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

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/pr ... _MQAvD_BwE">https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/product/corkbuna-rubber-18-12-x-12/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_qb3BRAVEiwAvwq6VoqXOnzAmKbbyDxdUd-qemlHVU-GDVIkNUara6zXDr-2PJNm1ZRz0xoCZ_MQAvD_BwE</LINK_TEXT>

Jimkinkella · by **Jimkinkella** » 2020-06-17 2:42 p.m.

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

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/pr ... _MQAvD_BwE">https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/product/corkbuna-rubber-18-12-x-12/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_qb3BRAVEiwAvwq6VoqXOnzAmKbbyDxdUd-qemlHVU-GDVIkNUara6zXDr-2PJNm1ZRz0xoCZ_MQAvD_BwE</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]

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 · by **timothy42b** » 2020-06-17 2:56 p.m.

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 · by **PhilTrombone** » 2020-06-17 6:03 p.m.

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

Kingfan · by **Kingfan** » 2020-06-17 7:24 p.m.

Sandpaper... :-)

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2020-06-17 8:00 p.m.

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 · by **BGuttman** » 2020-06-17 8:47 p.m.

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 · by **Bonearzt** » 2020-06-17 10:30 p.m.

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 · by **whitbey** » 2020-08-20 10:44 a.m.

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

Bonearzt · by **Bonearzt** » 2020-08-20 11:05 a.m.

[quote="whitbey"]Old tennis shoe soles work. Many years ago I tried using my daughters with the flashing lights. Just to get a brighter sound.[/quote]

NEXT!!

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Cork Alternatives for mutes