Added a foam mute under strings at the bridge - good results

[tothemax]

I cut a section of foam about 1/2" x 1/2" square by about 3" long and put it under the strings near the bridge just playing around after reading about the Jamerson sound. I've got a stock 50's reissue P-Bass (Tele headstock - MIM). Seemed to get rid of the boomy tone. It's the standard dark gray closed cell type they use for packing computers. I've been wanting a punchier sound and it seemed to help.

Just thought I'd share it was about a 10 minute effort, cut it our with razor knife.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Sponge, A/C insulation foam, whatever works.

 

[Malcolm1935]

Been using flats and foam rubber under the strings for years, love the sound.

I use the foam rubber from a foam rubber paint brush, doubled and scored with a razor so the strings fit down in the rubber.

Happy trails.

 

[spydr]

Any issues with the finish on the bass? Sticking, residue, etc?
I would think if it's left on for some time, it might cause issues.

 

[Malcolm1935]

Any issues with the finish on the bass? Sticking, residue, etc?
I would think if it's left on for some time, it might cause issues.

Never had a problem. You do not glue the foam rubber down just put it under the strings.

 

[ClusterFlux]

I cut a section of foam about 1/2" x 1/2" square by about 3" long and put it under the strings near the bridge just playing around after reading about the Jamerson sound. I've got a stock 50's reissue P-Bass (Tele headstock - MIM). Seemed to get rid of the boomy tone. It's the standard dark gray closed cell type they use for packing computers. I've been wanting a punchier sound and it seemed to help.

Just thought I'd share it was about a 10 minute effort, cut it our with razor knife.

Yeah, bassists have been doing it since... late 50s? Early 60s?

I actually am not a big fan of that sound, but adding foam has worked for me in a few selected situations.

 

[chris_b]

I put flatwound strings on my PJ5 about 8 years ago. That was a revelation. I'd been using rounds for many years, and hadn't used flats since about 1970. I discovered I loved the sound. Then about 3 years ago I put foam under the strings. What a discovery, those three things (PJ/flats/foam) go together so naturally. I use foam all the time.

 

[Bayu Ramadhika]

I put one in my Epiphone EB-3 with Flatwounds strings, and it sounds really good

 

[walking Bass]

When I bought my EB-2 in 1964, it had a clever mechanism that put that felt against the strings. Never used it. I bought the Gibson because the Fender bass I tried sounded so muffled and with no sustain. I never understood why someone would intentionally limit sustain.

 

[LukeSlywalker]

I love the foam under strings sound but I can’t get it right with the intonation. Any tips? The thickness needed for the sound I like always messes up the intonation, so I cut it down and then it doesn’t sound as good...

Is your intonation a little off just something that foam players deal with?

 

[chris_b]

I love the foam under strings sound but I can’t get it right with the intonation.

Is your intonation correctly set up? Maybe the bridge needs adjusting.

I tune with the foam in place.

Close is close enough for me. I'll be ruled by the tuner, if it says we're in tune then I'm OK.

 

[Malcolm1935]

Ditto. ^^^^ I go buy what the tuner says. And I'm a close is good guy.

 

[vindibona1]

I cut a section of foam about 1/2" x 1/2" square by about 3" long and put it under the strings near the bridge just playing around after reading about the Jamerson sound. I've got a stock 50's reissue P-Bass (Tele headstock - MIM). Seemed to get rid of the boomy tone. It's the standard dark gray closed cell type they use for packing computers. I've been wanting a punchier sound and it seemed to help.

Just thought I'd share it was about a 10 minute effort, cut it our with razor knife.

I'll try that. I'm not sure if it will solve the problem I'm having, but it's worth a try.

Any issues with the finish on the bass? Sticking, residue, etc?
I would think if it's left on for some time, it might cause issues.

Nope. No sticking issues. I keep my basses and guitars...and pretty much everything I own clean and in pristine condition. Just ask my recently retired 1973 Bach Stradivarius model 37 trumpet that I used to play every day . Almost like factory/showroom new looking. Actually it didn't get retired- I did. :0.

As far as strings go, I periodically wipe the strings down with Finger-Ease. About the only thing that seems to help to a degree is musicians gloves. I've stopped using them as often, but perhaps I should resume to using them all the time?