unwanted string vibration on Garrison technique

Lincoln · #1 10-01-2007, 07:50 AM

Hi gang,
I did a quick modification to my bass and made a temporary ramp which has aided me tremendously. It has quite reduced my need to pull the strings. My new question is that I'm getting string vibration from the string above where I am playing. Is there a specific way I should be muting or is my floating and technique just sloppy?

HaVIC5 · #2 10-01-2007, 07:54 AM

I've had the same problem with garrison technique, and I was wondering if any of its proponents had any good solutions. When I play, I get a lot of sympathetic vibration (a lot of that comes from the fact I play a 7-string), and it ends up sounding pretty sloppy.

gre107 · #3 10-01-2007, 08:04 AM

I find that using the "floating thumb" technique along with left hand muting works out well when playing the "Garrison" 4 finger technique. This will usually cover 95% of the sympathetic vibrations from the lower strings.

I also might mute some of the higer strings with my pinky when needed but I'm usually just using my left hand to mute them.

Practicing this technique slowly with a soft touch and louder volume will allow you to really focus in on what is the best way for you to clean up the sound.

Also, if you practice the Willis (Gary Willis from Tribal Tech fame) three finger technique you will obtain a really clean right hand muting technique that will help with the four finger version that Matt uses.

I hope this helps?

Lincoln · #4 10-01-2007, 08:15 AM

Thanks! I'll try incorporating willis's technique and more left hand muting. i'll tell you this -- this is quite an overhaul to my playing. My bandmates are tolerating my re-education, but I'm a little nervous about upcoming gigs....

Kobaia · #5 10-01-2007, 01:40 PM

matt uses his right palm, and outside of this thumb to mute lower strings, and his left hand palm to mute higher strings. i use my fingertips too, i just overfret the string to mute the lower ones. hair-tie never hurts either if those dont work.

Lincoln · #6 10-01-2007, 02:32 PM

Many thanks -- another good idea and one that comes more naturally to me as I do my share of Marcus Miller-like palm muting