I know that quite a bit of sole-leather has been used. Frank Rutkovsky sent me some samples of what he used in the '70s. However, he much approoved of what I sent him in return: oak bark tanned leather. The acid test is to bend a strip 180 degrees back over itself, and watch the top of the skin as you bend it. If it develops cracks, ditch it. I've done two Pleyels with that very same leather and it is very good. I made a pluck-o-mat and ran it to half a million plucks before I got tired of it. Otherwise, it has to cut well, not be very fluffy, and I do not buy into the long parabolic shape, as the tips will break off very soon.

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