Building a mute for a jazz bass

Etchbass · #1 07-20-2011, 10:09 PM

Hello everyone,

I love muting with foam and finally decided to make a permanent installation on my bass for easier switching; that would in turn open up doors for real quick and precise muting on all 4 strings during songs.

I wanted to buy this The BassMute - A smart muting device for Bass Players to put on my bass, but the guy isn't getting back to me after a week or so...

I guess I'm going to have to go the old fashioned route and build something myself, because I cant seem to find any other options.

I was thinking of buying a tune-o-matic bridge, replacing the saddles with foam, and screwing it in right in front of the tail-piece.

Does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions? Do any of you experienced luthiers know of anywhere I could buy a part like this?

Thanks for your help!

Marty Forrer · #2 07-20-2011, 10:19 PM

Easy. A piece of medium density foam cut to shape and wedged under the strings. About 1"x 1" x 5" will do it. The grey foam from the Seymour Duncan pickup packaging is what I use.

Etchbass · #3 07-20-2011, 10:23 PM

thanks for the advice, but thats already what i've been doing. Im looking for something more permanent and switchable.

WilliamSandoval · #4 07-20-2011, 10:27 PM

Something that's permanent and switchable?

GrapeApe · #5 07-20-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty Forrer

Easy. A piece of medium density foam cut to shape and wedged under the strings. About 1"x 1" x 5" will do it. The grey foam from the Seymour Duncan pickup packaging is what I use.

I think he's looking more for a way to switch on the fly. I have my foam between the bridge cover (Fender J) and the top of the strings, but it seems like that's not what you're looking for either.

I like the tune-o-mute idea you had - but I can't see how you would be able to switch there either.

For what it's worth, I'd keep after the Bass Mute guy, or find an outside dealer for one because that seems like the best bet for what you're wanting to do.

Have you tried Ebay or Amazon for one?

GrapeApe · #6 07-20-2011, 10:47 PM

On second thought, is anyone familiar with the old Fender mute kits from the '60s? Not sure if those were switchable, or if you just had to take it off or leave it on. For that matter, what was the deal with the old MM ones?

pnut166 · #7 07-20-2011, 11:00 PM

What about the EBMM bridges ?

Etchbass · #8 07-21-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnut166

What about the EBMM bridges ?

I've been thinking about that too. Would require redrilling, which I'm not opposed too, although I really like the bridge I have. Plus, MM replacement parts don't come around for cheap very often.

I know "permanent and switchable" sounds confusing, but I'm sure some of you have seen something like this before. For instance, the mute at bassmute.com has a lever on it, and I've seen bridges with mutes built in underneath the strings and attached to a lever.

The tune o matic bridge idea would potentially work, but i would have to practice switching that on the fly; lots of knob twisting, hahaha.

JLS · #9 07-21-2011, 09:59 AM

I had a Bassmute mounted for awhile, but it didn't mute enough, so I sold it here several months ago.

I have an idea for a mute such as you describe, I'll try to cobble up a prototype sometime soon.

I like the kind of foam used in many gardeners' kneeler pads.

Etchbass · #10 07-21-2011, 01:24 PM

I think it's debatable whether this thread should have gone in Luthier's Corner vs. Hardware, Setup, and Repair. I'm a master debater.

Anyway, does anyone have any other ideas for building something like this? Or, have you seen anything like this floating around for sale on the internet?

Meyatch · #11 07-21-2011, 01:38 PM

I've thought about trying to adapt a jaguar mute to a bass, but I'm not sure how feasible it really is.

THORRR · #12 07-21-2011, 01:41 PM

I worked in a bait shop as a kid as an Apprentice Baiter.

When I got good they promoted me to Master Baiter.

WilliamSandoval · #13 07-21-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THORRR

I worked in a bait shop as a kid as an Apprentice Baiter.

When I got good they promoted me to Master Baiter.

what does that have to do with mutes?

THORRR · #14 07-21-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meyatch

I've thought about trying to adapt a jaguar mute to a bass, but I'm not sure how feasible it really is.

I had a Jaguar years ago and I can testify that the mute was an ingeniously simple piece of hardware that really worked well.

If someone could create something similar for basses it'd be an overnight success IMHO.

Orangeclawhamme · #15 07-21-2011, 01:45 PM

THORRR · #16 07-21-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamSandoval

what does that have to do with mutes?

See Post #10

WilliamSandoval · #17 07-21-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THORRR

See Post #10

Gotcha...

jumbodbassman · #18 07-21-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnut166

What about the EBMM bridges ?

requires turning screw for each string. not really on the fly between tunes i would say.

Etchbass · #19 07-21-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THORRR

I had a Jaguar years ago and I can testify that the mute was an ingeniously simple piece of hardware that really worked well.

If someone could create something similar for basses it'd be an overnight success IMHO.

+1

...I'll get to work on that, then split the profit with you.

THORRR · #20 07-22-2011, 07:24 PM

WINNER !