Less Sustain

[whiterelic]

Hi I've played bass for quite a while now, but I can't figure out how to get less sustain when I pluck the string. Is there an effect or a technique I can use to minimize the amount of sustain (I know it's a noob question, but please help me)

[PJSShearer]

If you mean to stop the string ringing out (most people are looking for MORE sustain), there are 3 ways all of which you should learn :

1. If you a plucking with your fingers, touch the string with the finger you plucked the string with on the string at the same point you plucked it.

OR

2. Loosen the pressure on your fretting finger slightly.

OR

3. Lay a spare finger from either your plucking or fretting hand on the string.


Also, you could read the stickies on this site related to the "floating thumb technique."

[EricF]

Proper right and left hand muting techniques, and having control of the volume and duration of the notes you're playing, are an important part of becoming a better player.

That said, string mutes were a standard part of Fender's basses in the early years. They would serve to shorten the sustain of the strings to more closely mimic the tone of an upright bass. An easy wasy to acomplish the same thing is with a strip of foam under the strings against the bridge (many people use a sponge).

[MalcolmAmos]

I'm trying out the sponge right now. Like it. Seems to go with the Country we play - does give that up right bass sound and as we are ole time Country it fits right in. With the sponge I've started using a thumb pick.

[A440Hz]

Foam under (or over) the strings at the bridge.

[guroove]

Originally Posted by A440Hz

Foam under (or over) the strings at the bridge.

This is what they used to do in the old days, and a lot of studio bassists swear by it. It's good if you don't want to modify your technique, and you want the muted sound all the time.

I don't have mutes on my basses, but when I want that sound, I either mute the strings with my pinky if I'm playing something fast that needs both fingers, or with my palm if it's slow enough for me to play with my thumb and index finger.

[okcrum]

You can also finger notes up on the frets. That will act like the damper that came with older Fenders. Or you can add some foam down by the bridge to get a deader sound.

Depends if you just want less sustain or really a faster decay to the notes. The former you can manage with your muting technique for the most part.

[Staccato]

Whiterelic,

You'll see posts about adding foam to mute strings, or using a muting techniques with your hand/fingers.

Otherwise, on your amp, experiment with some cut (turning down) of the mid EQ knob, and the same with the gain knob (or both these knobs). And if you're playing an active bass, you may have a variable mid knob...

-John

[Sammy_L_D]

Take time to learn proper muting techniques. It won't come over night, but then again it won't require you to put a sponge under your strings.

[whiterelic]

thank you for your help everyone I really appreciate your help, I am now gonna take some time to learn muting techniques properly as that sounds to be the best thing to do

[ridgeback]

Originally Posted by whiterelic

thank you for your help everyone I really appreciate your help, I am now gonna take some time to learn muting techniques properly as that sounds to be the best thing to do

its the best way and there is no right or wrong way to do it,use what ever works for you..it takes time but well worth the effort...