Sympathetic Vibrations

[cbk]

I recently began playing a Roscoe 6 string fretless bass and an STR 7 string fretted bass. Both instruments create alot of sympathetic vibrations. To mute the strings I'm finding that my technique must change fairly dramatically.

Depending on the note/string/attack, I use either my fingering or my plucking hand to mute the other strings.

I welcome any input, ideas, or sympathy. (pun intended)

Thanks for your help.

cbk

[deliciouspesto]

dampen the strings with some form of mute- sometimes it is easier to have a passive solution to a passive problem.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by deliciouspesto

dampen the strings with some form of mute- sometimes it is easier to have a passive solution to a passive problem.

+1

[cbk]

Thanks for your input!

I agree that a mute would solve the problem; but it would also chanage the sound of the bass when I play the muted strings. Surely my basses are not the only ones with this problem?

It seems that I read somewhere that a player had to change his technique to address this issue.

Any othere ideas anyone?

cbk

[deliciouspesto]

Originally Posted by cbk

Thanks for your input!

I agree that a mute would solve the problem; but it would also chanage the sound of the bass when I play the muted strings. Surely my basses are not the only ones with this problem?

It seems that I read somewhere that a player had to change his technique to address this issue.

Any othere ideas anyone?

cbk

when I mean mute I don't mean a giant slab of rubber or a big piece of foam- you want something very minimal, somethign like a thin strip of rubber with nearly the elastic properties of a rubber band and just cut them and bend them to be held by the strings... so one strip for your lowest 2 strings, then the next, then the next, etc.. this will simply eliminate the most extreme vibrations but keep your tone possibilities available and if you then need to mute or whatever you are still able to do it. Muting to the point of making the string unresponsive is really overkill, the trick is to find the right material.

[mikezimmerman]

Yes, you really need to adjust your technique. Muting with both left and right hands becomes an essential part of your technique when you move to extended range basses.

However, many people also use something like a hair scrunchy (hair tie) up near the nut to keep open strings from vibrating sympathetically. It's especially useful if you do a lot of tapping, since you also don't want the "back side" of the string vibrating. Here's Vic Wooten with one on his bass...

Mike