Hair Tie/Scrutchie at the nut?

thomasjbass · #1 01-07-2011, 10:27 AM

Ok, I am probably a total nubbie for asking this question, so feel free to poke fun (I make fun of myself constantly), but I am seeing in more and more photos a hair tie on the nut of peoples basses. At first I just thought maybe this is for all the long hair players, but It is wrapped around a few times and I am not sure exactly why. If someone could enlighten me I would greatly appreciated, I am sure there is some practical purpose for it. Cheers!

austentaciousC · #2 01-07-2011, 10:34 AM

If you're a tapper or slapper sliding it down a little can help mute open strings, i dont tap at all and have them on all my basses. I got so used to feeling it when im fretting below the 3rd that i just kept them on there..on the rare occasion that i would ever need to mute open string slappity stuff i would have it there.

It can add a little personality too, like a guitar player with the pick retainer on the headstock

Zooberwerx · #3 01-07-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasjbass

Ok, I am probably a total nubbie for asking this question, so feel free to poke fun (I make fun of myself constantly), but I am seeing in more and more photos a hair tie on the nut of peoples basses. At first I just thought maybe this is for all the long hair players, but It is wrapped around a few times and I am not sure exactly why. If someone could enlighten me I would greatly appreciated, I am sure there is some practical purpose for it. Cheers!

IIRC, the tie is used to dampen the unwanted string buzz that sometimes appear on the tuner side of the nut. It's easier than trying to cornrow the stupid things. I've not encountered the problem as of yet.

Riis

Skitch it! · #4 01-07-2011, 10:35 AM

'Tis for muting, if your playing with a picking technique or other that makes it difficult to mute the open strings while playing (4 finger technique is tricky for this) then you pull the hairband just in front of the nut and it quietens down those open strings, it won't correct your muting ahem errors? but it will blend them in more. It works very well, it's a cool little add, get the towelling ones if your considering it ; )

thomasjbass · #5 01-07-2011, 10:35 AM

Awesome, I figured that there was a reason for it. Makes total sense. Thanks for the insight austentaciousC!

thomasjbass · #6 01-07-2011, 10:37 AM

Thanks everyone for this heads up. I gotta go get some scruntchies!

MNAirHead · #7 01-10-2011, 02:57 AM

Norm Stockton almost always pimps the hair scrunch at his clinics.

IN recording studios, I've commonly used a maxi pad (new) under a velcro cable tie.

Fights "sympathetic resonance"

Tim

lenosgood · #8 01-10-2011, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I've commonly used a maxi pad (new)
Tim

Except when you play "Sunday Bloody Sunday"...

thomasjbass · #9 01-11-2011, 10:33 AM

Ew, but super funny. You guys are comedy here.

tsunami1052 · #10 01-11-2011, 10:45 AM

BASSIDA using a hair tie to mute open strings in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPer4MQEUo0

dave64o · #11 01-12-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

IN recording studios, I've commonly used a maxi pad (new) under a velcro cable tie.

There's an Alice Cooper song that simply BEGS for that technique!

BuffaloBass · #12 01-12-2011, 11:47 AM

I use a wrist band I found at a Florida flea, as its Funk colored, i.e., african/Carib green/black/yellow/red.

Use it for slap, and if I'm looking for a traditional P or upright type vibe.

T-MOST · #13 01-12-2011, 12:01 PM

I use a scrunchie on my Smith bass. Most of the time I'm not actually doing anything with it though.

thomasjbass · #14 01-12-2011, 12:04 PM

This is really cool information guys, little insider tips.