Any ideas for dampening strings?

[HiEnd Basses]

Just the other day I started using a pick and hand mute. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy playing with a pick.

So do I!

 

[hobosong]

Just the other day I started using a pick and hand mute. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy playing with a pick.

That's how I get the best muted tone... a pick and the very edge of my palm. Somehow it seems to increase the overall volume too... don't know why that is.

 

[HiEnd Basses]

Some Basses do have a muting contraption by the bridge. Foam and rags look tacky to me.

 

[howlin]

Fender Jaguar Mute Assembly like the one on the Sean Hurley P. I like the concept. Not sure how much I'd actually use it, especially live. Everytime I've gone to a gig with foam under the strings it always gets ripped out. YMMV but I agree with the guys that answered palm muting.

 

[lousybassist]

I got myself a Bass Mute Clamp a while ago, and dig it. It's somewhat similar to the Gruvgear Fump, but more versatile IMO. I also prefer it to using foam.



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[Whippet]

So do I!

Isn't it awesome? Those naysayers are seriously losing out on life!!!!!

 

[punchdrunk]

I've used bubble wrap in the studio to great success. A layer between the pickups and the strings gives you a dampened yet percussive effect.

 

[Jay Corwin]

I've always used weather stripping from Home Depot®.

 

[Slevage]

I've always used weather stripping from Home Depot®.

Did it have any significant effect on your energy bills?

 

[HiEnd Basses]

Fender Jaguar Mute Assembly like the one on the Sean Hurley P. I like the concept. Not sure how much I'd actually use it, especially live. Everytime I've gone to a gig with foam under the strings it always gets ripped out. YMMV but I agree with the guys that answered palm muting.

It's a Sean Hurley P Bass, not a Jag, but I agree. That's an awesome tool built into the Bass.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

Tried different foams but nothing like the palm muting.

 

[simotek]

I used a set of tapewound strings to provide a constant slight dampening, occasionally I use 2 different width pieces of anti static foam (it was lying around) depending on how much dampening I want, if I only want it for part of a song I occasionally palm mute and play with my thumb but more regularly place my little finger just past the edge of the bridge so I can play normally with my first and second fingers.

 

[InhumanResource]

I usually palm mute, but I did "make" a foam mute out of one of those foam paintbrushes you can get at home depot for next to nothing (I think it's a couple bucks for a bag of mixed sizes). Used my multi-tool to saw the handle off and now it slides under the strings easily. You may have to experiment to find the right size. I like these because they have a plastic insert in the middle of the foam that keeps its shape while you are painting, which translates to being able to be quickly slipped behind the strings without it folding or crumpling along the way.

 

[newdull]

I got myself a Bass Mute Clamp a while ago, and dig it. It's somewhat similar to the Gruvgear Fump, but more versatile IMO. I also prefer it to using foam.



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I got on of these as well. Works great. You can easily adjust how tight the foam clamps on the stings and where it clamps. Love it.

 

[hopwheels]

I've used foam and a small bit of felt cloth rolled up

 

[radioface]

I've been experimenting with foam and tape to deaden my strings just right. I was curious to find out if anyone has come up with something that I haven't thought of yet.

Floating thumb or, palm muting.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Foam from a foam rubber paint brush, cut to size then scored with a razor so the strings fit down into the foam. Course flats go with out saying...

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Some Basses do have a muting contraption by the bridge. Foam and rags look tacky to me.

My Gibson EB-0 has one, but the piece of felt or whatever it was fell out 30+ years ago, and I lost it.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Victor Wooten mentioned on a "Premier Guitar" Rig Rundown interview that he uses $3 dollar hair scrunchies that girls use to keep their hair in a ponytail. I tried that method but they fit too loose on my 1.5 inch jazz neck. I ordered a Gruv Gear muting strap and it works great and is fully adjustable.

 

[George Lloyd]

Palm muting is what I do.

I have a Bassmute 5 string chrome 3 position mute unit that I bought last year, but find I have no use for. Apparently the company went out of business and they're no longer available. Some people swear by them.Anybody interested?