Does a mute on the headstock side of the nut do anything?

[Tupac]

A lot of times I see players on youtube with hair ties below the nut, on the side with the tuners. Are they actively using it there, or just storing it for when they're ready to move it over the nut? Does it mute the strings from ringing out or anything, or just sit there?


That was a lot of nuts...

[eb3mike]

My guess is... storing it.

[Russell L]

I don't think it does anything at all. Try it yourself and see.

[nysbob]

If you have an improperly cut or damaged nut, it might keep the strings from dancing out.

[Jazzdogg]

Nope. Not unless it were so tight that it'd raise the pitch of the strings!

[keiththebassist]

Nope, that's purely for easy access when they want to reach up mid song and slide it over to the other side of the nut where it will actually mute strings.