The Herbie's tube dampers are neat...I use 'em, but not sure if they improve the sound or merely change it in a way that's mostly preferable to me (and most others that seem to have tried it)
Silicone is messy and too permanent a fix.
However, buying $5 in rope caulk gets you most of the same 'benefit' I've found....and is temporary of you want. The $5 package will 'damp' probably 20,000 tubes
It's usually marketed under the Mortite or Dennis names in many hardware stores. It's clay, unlike plasticlay modelling clay (that has plastic that can melt quickly if used on tubes)
Just make a thin, dime sized bit in your hands....and lay that on top of your tube and press down(let the nipple poke out). I've yet to find early tube failure from it - there's more than enough tube left to blow off the hot air around. The rope caulk is tacky so it's sticks fine...but can be removed if you wish later (after the tube has cooled off)
Ace Hardware seems to sell it so it's about as close as your neighborhood Hardware Store:
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/%28zekpqv55zloho245rqdqeh55%29/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=52516Sometimes it leaves a little residue if you remove it...some Goo Gone or other liquid spirits will do the trick
Try it - it's cheap and you will probably (but by
no means absolutely) like it as I do
John
