Reducing end pin vibration

[Ortus]

I live in a second floor apartment in NYC. When I practice, the bass tends to transmit a lot of sound into the floor through the end pin, which in turn makes my downstairs neighbors complain. Suggestions?

[kane612]

i heard of a guy having a practice box/platform that was filled with sand(?) or something. i also know a drummer that covered every inch of wall space with high density foam(?) panels, and he claimed that his fellow apt. dwellers couldn't hear the drums. i'm sorry i can't remember exactly what it was called (it may have had an anagram name), but i do recall he said you could buy it at home depot. perhaps a mix of these methods would suffice for your situation.

[bassphase]

After they're asleep, silently slip into their apartment--you may need burglar's tools. Quietly push a pillow over their heads. Keep it there until they've both stopped struggling. A quick hammer blow to the head may speed things up a bit. Remove any evidence of your visit. Go back upstairs and continue practicing your bass.



bob

[PaulCannon]

Originally Posted by bassphase

After they're asleep, silently slip into their apartment--you may need burglar's tools. Quietly push a pillow over their heads. Keep it there until they've both stopped struggling. A quick hammer blow to the head may speed things up a bit. Remove any evidence of your visit. Go back upstairs and continue practicing your bass.

That's the worst premise for a Law and Order episode I've ever heard.

[heavyfunkmachin]

I i was you, i would use a pillow... Under the endpin.something to absorb the vibrations.

[tstone]

I would suggest a disc or square of foam rubber, topped with a disc or square of plywood. Put the foam rubber side against the floor and the endpin on the plywood. Might have to experiment a bit to find what firmness and thickness of foam rubber is most effective.

[fdeck]

In addition to foam rubber, the ultimate isolator is plywood on top of a kids bike innertube partially inflated.

[Jake deVilliers]

I would be more likely to try putting a 16" x 16" concrete patio stone on a foam pad. The concrete will not transmit vibrations and the foam will protect the floor! Its basically how a studio is built for isolation - concrete on rubber.

[Ortus]

All great suggestions guys--thanks! Keep 'em coming--I'm sure I'm not the only urban bassist out there who has experienced this problem....

[martinc]

Originally Posted by Ortus

All great suggestions guys--thanks! Keep 'em coming--I'm sure I'm not the only urban bassist out there who has experienced this problem....

Ortus:

I rest my endpin on a small thick couch throw cushion (5 bucks from a department store).....and use a dish towel under the strings at the bridge which cuts down the sound without muting it too much. No complaints about my bass.
The concrete and foam sounds like an intriguing idea though...and so does the plywood and inflated tire.
They are all cheap solutions.

[jayscheuerle]

The best thing you can get is sorbothane and it isn't cheap. Get three bassist friends and get a pack of Silent Feet pads ($40 for 4 -for washing machines/dryers). Google it. - j

[gaelmckeon]

Have you tried a practice mute? Also, hang the bass by the scroll from the ceiling...

[Big B.]

+1 on the giant practice mutes. Eliminates 50% of the sound immediately. That and fill your bass with sand...