Best Way To Deaden New G & D Flats?

PolkaHero · #1 03-20-2013, 02:50 PM

First of all, why it took me 7 years to finally put a set of flatwounds on my '82 Walnut Precision Special is beyond me! This thing sounds killer now!

Brand new set of GHS Precision Flats. The E & A strings are perfect right out of the package, dead as all hell. The G & D though are a little brighter which makes the sound unbalanced. Is there a quick and easy way to deaden these strings so they sound just like the others? I've heard about using butter or grease, just wondering the most efficient way of getting them there as I want to use this bass for recording in a couple of weeks.

Thanks!

JimmyM · #2 03-20-2013, 10:18 PM

Eucerin moisturizing cream works really well. Playing with dirty sweaty hands works really well. Pouring non-diet soda on them works really well, but be careful of the electronics. Believe it or not, rubbing poop on the strings doesn't work all that well, so don't bother.

The D and G are always going to be brighter and have more ring by comparison, though. Just sort of a thing about bass strings. You can stick a piece of foam under the strings by the bridge and that'll work out most of those issues.

PolkaHero · #3 03-21-2013, 08:30 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, Jimmy. Couple of those options sound pretty scary! I do have a foam mute, but I don't want the sustain affected that much. I did a search on here, didn't turn up much other than eating fried chicken and then playing. I don't eat fried foods.

Someone also mentioned coating them with vasoline? Think that would work?

**lmfreeman9** · #4 03-21-2013, 08:44 AM

Roll off the treble.

Mushroo · #5 03-21-2013, 08:51 AM

Reverse "P" pickup so the D/G string side of the pickup is closer to the neck, not closer to the bridge, than the E/A side.

PolkaHero · #6 03-21-2013, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Reverse "P" pickup so the D/G string side of the pickup is closer to the neck, not closer to the bridge, than the E/A side.

That would require a re-routing of the pickup cavity which is not an option. This is a rare, vintage instrument. Not going to happen! Now if this was a cheap, MIM/Squier P-bass that would be a different story!

bjabass · #7 03-21-2013, 09:33 AM

Soak in barbecue sauce overnight....approved by Stephen Stills or so I have heard....

JimmyM · #8 03-21-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

Thanks for the suggestions, Jimmy. Couple of those options sound pretty scary! I do have a foam mute, but I don't want the sustain affected that much. I did a search on here, didn't turn up much other than eating fried chicken and then playing. I don't eat fried foods.

Someone also mentioned coating them with vasoline? Think that would work?

I've done it before. As long as the Vaseline's wet, it should work well. If it's not, then it's 50/50.

Rockin Mike · #9 03-21-2013, 10:44 AM

crayon?

Bassbubble11 · #10 03-21-2013, 10:52 AM

I would use your amp's eq and roll off those frequencies a little.

JimmyM · #11 03-21-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbubble11

I would use your amp's eq and roll off those frequencies a little.

It's not the frequencies...it's the ring.

Rockin Mike · #12 03-21-2013, 11:08 AM

Just guessing, but I think it's the combination of rust and sticky finger gunk in there that deadens them. In that case the salt & sugar in barbecue sauce mentioned by bjabass above would be just the ticket.

tbplayer59 · #13 03-21-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Believe it or not, rubbing poop on the strings doesn't work all that well, so don't bother.

That would be for a different kind of "funk."

PolkaHero · #14 03-21-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbubble11

I would use your amp's eq and roll off those frequencies a little.

I'm using this bass for a recording project and it will be plugged in direct. I suppose I could use it in active mode and roll the treble knob off a bit.

VanillaThundah · #15 03-21-2013, 01:30 PM

If you don't like fried foods, go out and sweat a lot, then wipe the sweat on your hands and play the strings...repeat until your hands and body are dry as a bone. Believe it or not, depending on the acidity of your sweat, this can wear them out VERY VERY fast.

PolkaHero · #16 03-21-2013, 01:45 PM

What about rubbing them down with something like lemon juice? That's really acidic, right?

Duckwater · #17 03-21-2013, 01:53 PM

Thump n pluck on it a bunch

mmbongo · #18 03-21-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Eucerin moisturizing cream works really well. Playing with dirty sweaty hands works really well. Pouring non-diet soda on them works really well, but be careful of the electronics. Believe it or not, rubbing poop on the strings doesn't work all that well, so don't bother.

You just gotta find the right kind of poop.

vickde · #19 03-21-2013, 02:07 PM

This question came up a while ago and someone recommended Eucerin Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment. I got a tube at the drug store, and it worked really well to dull down an over-achieving flatwound G string. It's 40% vaseline, with a bunch of other greasy-sounding stuff mixed in. I rubbed some into the string, then gently warmed the string with a heat gun until the gunk melted into it. Probably should take the string off the bass first, and be careful of the drip - you don't want this stuff on your carpet. IIRC, it took a couple of applications before the string was sufficiently dead to match the others.

petrus61 · #20 03-21-2013, 03:17 PM

Don't rub grease from food products on the strings. It's disgusting and it is a myth. It will not simulate months or years worth of grit, nor will it flex the string into the "deadness" you seek. Whenever you're just siting around, just grab the bass and play up and down the D and G strings so they get more play and the strings will balance out naturally. Have you tried lowering the treble side of the pickup ?