Double Bass Double bass mutes

[Bill Edgerton]

I'm having trouble finding a mute that will fit my bridge while also allow me to quickly put it on. Most mutes can be hung on the after-strings and slid up to the bridge when needed. This doesn't work for me as I have a wolf suppressor on my A string. I've look at ebony mutes that you just fit over the bridge but I'm concerned with the V cut of the mute opening--I don't think they will fit the shape of the normal bridge which is more like an inverted V. Gollihurs sells them but warns that they probably will need to be sanded down--the mute or the bridge, to fit. What do you advise?
Thanks,
Bill

 

[lurk]

Ebony mutes sound the best to me, but be careful. If you're putting it on or taking it off quickly you can fumble and drop it and it'll make a real clatter. Embarrassing and not appreciated. I know from experience.

 

[Gbro]

I highly recommend these mutes made by Dennis Roy of the Boston Symphony. The sound they produce is incredible and they should easily fit your bridge. On top of all of that they are absolutely gorgeous!

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[wathaet]

I would suggest a leathermute. Very quiet to put on and soundwise, I often prefer it to wood and rubber.

 

[fdeck]

Consult a muthier.

 

[mtto]

Polly mutes go on the afterlength, but don’t require much space. Unless your wolf suppressor is touching the bridge, a polly mute might work for you. They don’t slide around on the afterlength unless you move it intentionally. I never noticed how noisy regular mutes are until I switched.

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[Don Hergert]

Here's my mute on the afterlength, pressed against the tailpiece in this pic. In serious use it is pressed up against the bridge. It's real professional looking if you're a car mechanic, but might not be the right approach if you play for the London Symphony.

It does work, but it's probably more useful with my Deuce 1 bridge/tailpiece combination when used anywhere on the afterlength to reduce overtones.

This mute came with the bass, btw:

 

[robobass]

You can still use the conventional Tourte mute if you have a wolf eliminator. Just put it on the G and D strings. A lot of people do that anyway.

 

[Bill Edgerton]

I highly recommend these mutes made by Dennis Roy of the Boston Symphony. The sound they produce is incredible and they should easily fit your bridge. On top of all of that they are absolutely gorgeous!

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Gbro Thanks for the tip! I'm following up with Dennis--he has some beautiful wooden mutes.
Bill

 

[Bill Edgerton]

You can still use the conventional Tourte mute if you have a wolf eliminator. Just put it on the G and D strings. A lot of people do that anyway.

Robobass--Thanks for this common-sense suggestion!

 

[damonsmith]

I am one of those people who doesn't like stuff on the bass I am not using. I use an ebony mute - they work on most basses no problem. I am going to look into those Dennis Roy mutes.
Just actually practice putting it on and taking it off. Maybe have it sit on a cloth or something. It is worth the sound to both have a wood or leather mute and not have something on the bass all the time.

 

[robobass]

+1. Wood mutes do sound way better. The little rubber ones are kind of pointless IMO.

 

[etorgerson]

I know I’m late to this party, but here’s my 2¥. I leave a Polly on to dampen some interfering afterlength resonance not killed by my a-I string wolf eliminator ( I like a less strident top string.) It’s also one less thing to grab when going to sit at rehearsal. The polly is great for quick mute changes as I can leave it close to the bridge with the added benefit that it does not rattle or clunk when let go. The downside is that it does not soften the sound as much as a tourte or wood mute. I’ll put on a tourte if a softer sound is needed. My favorite for sound is my 2-prong ebony. I lined the tongs with thin felt to cut down on the clacking when putting it on and taking it off. It also helps it better match the contour of the bridge and prevents glossing from friction.

 

[Mark_T]

I have one of Dennis Roy’s mutes and I really like the sound. I’m curious to try one of these:

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[carl h.]

If they are made in NY-USA why aren't the prices in dollars? One of the comments says their bass projects so much better with this mute. Kind of a negative in my book for muting.