Cloth looking band on bass necks?

xXColaXx · #1 03-14-2011, 03:30 PM

I have seen a few bass players have some sort of what appears to be a cloth band (almost a scrunchie looking thing) around the neck of their bass. .

Anyone know what I am talking about that could fill me in?

stflbn · #2 03-14-2011, 03:31 PM

Help control the ringing of strings... and can be used to put your silky flowing "I'm a bass player and don't have a job" hair in a pony-tail.

Joe Nerve · #3 03-14-2011, 03:31 PM

Are they in 80s bands?

xXColaXx · #4 03-14-2011, 03:33 PM

Hahaha, so is it something made specifically for bass or is it a diy thing? I have seen mainly slap players use them. I believe I have seen Victor Wooten use it before.

Lowbrow · #5 03-14-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Help control the ringing of strings... and can be used to put your silky flowing "I'm a bass player and don't have a job" hair in a pony-tail.

Ha!

LiamPodmore · #6 03-14-2011, 03:36 PM

No, its not specifically for bass. Its used alot by guitarists recording solos in studio. You can use anything from a sweatband to a sock to a bandanna or whatever else you can tie round your bass neck that works.

Liam

xXColaXx · #7 03-14-2011, 03:37 PM

Alright thank you! Is there a name for doing that or is it just an unspoken method?

ShredderMaximus · #8 03-14-2011, 03:47 PM

an open string dampener?

Jools4001 · #9 03-14-2011, 03:55 PM

It's most used to damp the strings when tapping. When you tap, the note you want is obviously on the bridge side, but you will also start the string vibrating behind the fret you tap, so this unwanted vibration on the nut side of where you tapped will muddy the sound up unless damped

bassbrad · #10 03-14-2011, 04:05 PM

On one bass I use a velcro strap over the strings with a foam mute underneath to dampen the sympathetic vibration of the strings between the nut and tuners.

Ewo · #11 03-14-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXColaXx

Hahaha, so is it something made specifically for bass or is it a diy thing? I have seen mainly slap players use them. I believe I have seen Victor Wooten use it before.

AFAIK it's to keep unmuted strings quiet. Slap and two-hand tap technique will sometimes make it difficult to keep the strings you aren't playing muted. IOW, the scrunchy is like the damper on a piano.

Yeah, I've seen pix of Vic using it--and Norm Stockton, too.

jpTron · #12 03-14-2011, 04:23 PM

I used to use a piece of foam. Didn't make that much of a difference. Works more effectively when I use it on guitar.

xXColaXx · #13 03-14-2011, 04:29 PM

So this would be placed just after the nut at the end of the neck but over the strings?

**mwesth** · #14 03-14-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXColaXx

So this would be placed just after the nut at the end of the neck but over the strings?

No...

funkinbottom · #15 03-14-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ewo

AFAIK it's to keep unmuted strings quiet. Slap and two-hand tap technique will sometimes make it difficult to keep the strings you aren't playing muted.

This
YouTube - Victor & Regi Wooten

xXColaXx · #16 03-14-2011, 11:43 PM

Yep that is it! Also, I LOVE Victor's bass tone in that song.

Ewo · #17 03-15-2011, 10:46 AM

I was flipping through my latest copy of Bass Player last night, and there was a small ad for this:

GRUV GEAR · FretWraps String Muter

xXColaXx · #18 03-15-2011, 11:07 AM

Wow! So they do make ones specifically for instruments. That seems a bit pricey to me for what it is though but still, it is always nice to have options. Thanks for sharing!

jeepin_jer1 · #19 03-15-2011, 11:11 AM

I use a sweatband for dampening when playing simple bass line with just my left hand. So I can play keys with my right hand (or to take a drink).

xXColaXx · #20 03-15-2011, 11:15 AM

Is the sweatband too long or do you have to double it up?