Palm Muting...

[TSkills]

I play in a hard rock/metal band with some "proggy" influences (I like to say Pantera meets Dream Theater), and my guitarist and I got into a discussion on palm muting. He thinks that when the guitar is muted, the bass should be also. I said that fretting the notes on the bass gives it an overall fuller sound.

Thoughts? Examples?

Thanks.

[pacojas]

i like to Pinky Mute. it's very subtle and more variable than Palm Mute. but, i disagree with your guitar player although i see the potential for occasional Group Muting. does that also entail the drummer should mute, also?!!
might sound very cool. gl

[RCCollins]

try some muted chords, that should shut him up

no reason it has to be palm muting though

[HattoriHanzo]

I was thinking about this the other day as well. I play in a rock/hardcore/alternative band. I guess it depends on your preference and what sound you are looking for. Doesn't hurt to try out new things in my opinion. My thought was mostly on whether it was a proper technique for bass. If it sounds good palm mute then go for it.

[Nev375]

You have 4 basic options:

Guitar muted, bass not
Bass muted, guitar not
Both muted
Both not

To say they should both be muted or not is cutting your creative pallette in half. try them all and do whatever sounds best.