Foam mute -- Why didn't I do this years ago?

[GIBrat51]

I have the foam mute in my '78 P-bass' bridge cover; haven't removed it since it was put on 12-13 years ago. Old School Thump is all I use the P for. The mutes on my 4001 & 4003 are used frequently, too. Sustain is nice, but not for most of what I like to play. I have other basses if I really need it. Some of them (like my old Kramers) are pretty obnoxious that way, in fact. The mutes do affect the intonation a little (on mine), but for me, and the kind of stuff I play, not enough to bother with.

 

[Grissle]

Flats with foam adjusted just.....right, is simply the epitome of cool. Odd maybe but I like little or no muting with Tapes.

 

[hans9]

i'm using gruvgear fret wraps. Is the sound produced by this different from the mutes on the bridge?

 

[Batmensch]

Does anyone find that a piece of foam stuffed under the strings near the bridge affects intonation? Sure seems to for me.


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If it does, it's so miniscule it's un-noticeable to me. So, no.

 

[mcnach]

It does affect the intonation very noticeably on its own, as you go down the neck. But I guess most people using mutes mostly restrict their playing to the first 5 frets or so, where the effect is not so noticeable, and anyway, once playing with other instruments you can certainly get away with it, as demonstrated by so many people using mutes to great effect.

So, I would try to get the foam as close against the saddles as possible, and not worry too much about it.

 

[Grissle]

Hasn't affected the intonation for me. I just double checked with my ancient ('70's) strobe tuner and its still spot-on after a good 6 months. And I've got foam above and below the strings with the bridge cover. I don't think you can just throw a hunk of foam at it and expect it to be perfect right off. I spent a good amount of time experimenting and getting things just right.

 

[LyleRyan]

I read through almost all the "foam mute" threads, and didn't see a mention of the way I'm trying.

Using a piece of 1/2" thick closed cell foam, I've cut slots in it for each string. My idea here is that it's something that can go on or off, depending on the song. I was also concerned about foam being in long-term contact with the nitro finish. Maybe there's a benefit from dampening side-to-side motion, rather than pressing up or pressing down, I dunno. But also, cutting the slots on an angle allows more dampening on the E-string, and less dampening on the G.

The closed-cell foam is what REI sells for "standard blue foam pads" Invalid Link Removed but my local REI sells it by the 2ftX2ft section for butt warmers when seated.

My first try went perpendicular to the strings, but the G was way over-muted. Second attempt, cut on a angle, gives a very even result. Next I'll cut it down to a more appropriate size and maybe spray it black.

I was trying for a punchy attack and rapid decay for Latin music, like I'm used to with my Ampeg Baby Bass, and that's just what I'm getting (with flats, of course). But the new band plays a lot of Latin songs that really need no decay, maybe even light compression, so I'll pocket the foam for those.

Anyway, hope this helps or provokes experimentation.

....Lyle

 

[Luckydog]

Ive been using foam for decades. I keep several pieces cut in my gig bag. Almost always have a chunk under the strings at bridge. The few times i didnt have foam i used whatever was available...napkin, handkerchief, piece of an old glove, whatever. You cant beat it for a kick in the gut punchy sound that drives the band.

 

[zontar]

And here I am with an EB-3 copy that came with a mute that I took off.
And I like the sound better without it.

Still I get that it woks for some styles & songs.

So the option to have the mute on or off is probably the best way to go for most of us.