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11-04-2006, 04:35 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Switzerland | |  Lowering acoustic sound level
Hi folks
I'm quite new in the business of DB, but have the first problem. Playing at home is more or less impossible, because the bass is just too loud. So my idea is - and I would like to hear some opinions of you - to just keep the sound away from the body. How to do? I think about placing a thin (maybe 1 cm) piece of rubber (or something else: I have to try) between the bridge and the body. This piece should work as a damper for the waves coming through the bridge. I haven't tried it yet, but I hope it works for home playing. For concerts, I will not change the setup, because I think that the sound taking by the picks should not change dramatically with the rubber in place (at least not for D&B und Triphop). Ah, and the string height is than just adjusted with the adjusters (sounds logic  ).
So, I'm know eager to hear your opinions 
Have a nice weekend
PS: Hope you understand my english 
PS: I'm wondering, if the bridge is still stable afterwords....
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11-04-2006, 06:40 AM
| | AES Fine Instruments | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Brewster, NY, USA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MIB Hi folks
I'm quite new in the business of DB, but have the first problem. Playing at home is more or less impossible, because the bass is just too loud. So my idea is - and I would like to hear some opinions of you - to just keep the sound away from the body. How to do? I think about placing a thin (maybe 1 cm) piece of rubber (or something else: I have to try) between the bridge and the body. This piece should work as a damper for the waves coming through the bridge. I haven't tried it yet, but I hope it works for home playing. For concerts, I will not change the setup, because I think that the sound taking by the picks should not change dramatically with the rubber in place (at least not for D&B und Triphop). Ah, and the string height is than just adjusted with the adjusters (sounds logic ).
So, I'm know eager to hear your opinions
Have a nice weekend
PS: Hope you understand my english
PS: I'm wondering, if the bridge is still stable afterwords.... | Don't mess with the bridge! Get a mute. |
11-04-2006, 07:04 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Switzerland | | | What exactly do you mean with a mute? |
11-04-2006, 07:13 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: arlington va | | | Are you playing arco--with the bow--or just plucking?
If you're using the bow, you can get a rubber mute that fits over the bridge and dampens vibration--it cuts the bowing volume a lot
I suppose you could cover the sound holes, or maybe try tying a band of cloth across the body
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Skeptical but resigned
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11-04-2006, 07:16 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Switzerland | | Mostly I'm picking, but I have to practice the arc 
I just tried to put some rubber pieces between the adjusters, but the sound is exactly as loud as before. I had the idea with the holes myself but never tried it out. Does it work? |
11-04-2006, 11:34 AM
|  | Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Connecticut | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer Don't mess with the bridge! Get a mute. | +1!!! |
11-04-2006, 12:32 PM
|  | Official Forum Flunkee | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA | | I use a rubber mute regularly but it never dampens enough. My ultimate solution is to buy one of the NS Design EUBs and get the shoulder strap kit so the bass is completely suspended: no vibrations through the floor and no big body cavity to worry about. Just dont' have the $$$ for it yet.
My current solution is to have practice studio space.  |
11-04-2006, 12:48 PM
|  | 'Woodworker - Witch Doctor - Luthier'
Owner/The Bass Spa, String Repairman/L & M Vancouver | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Crescent Beach, BC | | Try using spring clamps or clothes pegs to hold some rubber erasers to the bridge.
If you can enough soggy mass on the bridge it will soak the vibrations right up , sorta like a Fishman!  |
11-04-2006, 04:05 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2002 Location: Austin, TX | | | Maybe you should just find a place or a time you can practice. I had to buy a house because apartments in my area were made with really thin walls.
What is your situation? Can you find a better place, or a place on the end maybe? Is it your family that thinks it is too loud?
It is very difficult to block that sound. |
11-04-2006, 09:40 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Upstate NY | | | Have you tried a different room in your house? Some rooms are just louder. On a side note, and this may sound like a stupid question, but have you tried adjusting your own dynamics? That is, have you you tried playing softer? Good luck on your quest.
-Phil
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-Mr.Phil
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11-05-2006, 06:03 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Switzerland | | Thanx for all your suggestions.
The house I'm living in (with several flats), has extremely thin walls, so everything can be hear everywhere (although the rooms are differently loud). I could play softer, but that has a too big impact in my play techniques (if you always play softer, you will not be able or at least it will be difficult to play different at a concert). I'm currently looking around for a room outside, but that sucks, cause I can't play than when I want 
Whats next:
I will try to mute the sound with a sleeping bag... or maybe I will construct an active sound reducing system (there is an idea  ) |
11-05-2006, 07:25 AM
| | crosswind downwind bass | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tacoma WA | | | Could an EUB be an option? |
11-05-2006, 08:42 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2002 Location: Austin, TX | | Do you own the place? is constructing a studio with floating walls an option? Also, I have seen practice room modules you can buy. has anyone bought one? Check this out (probably pricy) http://www.abimusic.com/wenger.htm |
11-05-2006, 10:25 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Switzerland | | @D McCartney
An EUB would in principle be an option. But I can't afford a second bass and I like the body of the DB on my own body during playing. I miss the feeling of that on a EUB.
@Alex:
That looks not bad, but for that room I just need to build a house first  . No, seriously, I'm practicing in my flat because my music room is too far away and I don't want to transport the DB all the time (it's just a bit complicated....) |
11-05-2006, 12:20 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tolland County, CT | | | Weaving a small towel through the strings near the bridge dampens the sound pretty well IMO. |
11-06-2006, 10:04 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buda (Austin) TX, USA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by PB+J If you're using the bow, you can get a rubber mute that fits over the bridge and dampens vibration--it cuts the bowing volume a lot
I suppose you could cover the sound holes, or maybe try tying a band of cloth across the body | Note that there are special practice mutes that are much bigger and heavier than regular performance mutes. You can also stuff towels in the F holes. |  | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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