FOAM MUTES ON FENDER BASSES

[Fresh Eddie]

Looks like Music Man uses the under method...Fender the over.

The original Jazz Bass also had four individual mutes under the strings.

 

[mrtanner42]

I just cut the sandal up until I got a thick enough chunk to put between the top of my strings and the ashtray.

I bet that works great for Jimmy Buffett and Beach Boys songs.

 

[MD]

I cut foam from electronic packaging. Different thicknesses for the desired muting. They store nicely behind the bridge for quick access or removal.

 

[Batmensch]

Do you use foam under ashtray and under strings AT THE SAME TIME?

If you mean me, no. I've used both methods on the same bass at different times. Over when I had the ashtray, under when I didn't.

 

[Batmensch]

Didn't that foam have some form of rubber in/on it?

It was foam rubber so, yeah.

 

[RSNG]

I bet that works great for Jimmy Buffett and Beach Boys songs.

Carol Kaye put a doubled up piece of felt on top of the strings, and held it there with masking tape. She used flatwound strings on her Fender Precision, and a heavy pick. That made the Beach Boys sound.

 

[jsbarber]

You can also achieve the tonal effect through palm muting. To do this you rest the edge of your palm on/inside the bridge saddles and pluck with your thumb. Anthony Jackson and others use this technique (I think I've seen Sting do it too). This tonal effect works very well for reggae but may not be appropriate for all genres, so being able to do it with your hands means you can apply or not apply the tonal effect at will, without doing anything to your bass.

FWIW,

Jim

 

[Immigrant]

Carol Kaye put a doubled up piece of felt on top of the strings, and held it there with masking tape. She used flatwound strings on her Fender Precision, and a heavy pick. That made the Beach Boys sound.

On a side note, here's a pic of Carol Kaye playing a Ripper. Neato.

View attachment 282132

 

[Chef]

Nonononono....not used to increase brightness. Quite the reverse.

2. FYI - there are two schools of thought in terms of foam muting: under-string and on top of the strings (as with the ashtray cover). One method is designed to increase brightness in the upper range and the other is designed to increase brightness in the lower range. Sorry, I'm not sure which is which, but I read it from a reputable source not too long ago (maybe here...).

 

[Chef]

Palm muting works very well, and it's a technique I use all the time.
Much easier than shoving foam in and out.

 

[THORRR]

You can also achieve the tonal effect through palm muting. To do this you rest the edge of your palm on/inside the bridge saddles and pluck with your thumb. Anthony Jackson and others use this technique (I think I've seen Sting do it too). This tonal effect works very well for reggae but may not be appropriate for all genres, so being able to do it with your hands means you can apply or not apply the tonal effect at will, without doing anything to your bass.

I use palm muting a LOT when performing with my group.
It's very controllable and becomes second nature and easy to
use when you get used to it.

It's especially usable when I'm using a pick (usually a hard
pick) and adds a lot of punch and drive to my bass lines. Another advantage to palm muting is that you can apply it
instantly when you're playing, and remove it instantly as well.

No need to be messing with foam pieces. You can also apply a little or a LOT of mute as you play.

For me - Palm Muting is the way to go.

 

[jasper383]

I remember a discussion here that said muting the strings from below was better for finger style, muting from above was better for pick style. Don't know if that is true or not, I have never done the over the strings muting.


Go buy a car wash microfiber sponge for $5 and you will have enough mute material to experiment for years and years:

http://feverinthefunkhouse.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/electric-bass-mute-101-m/

Garth Fielding with a muting tutorial:

 

[RCCollins]

well it's certainly difficult to palm mute when playing fingerstyle!

 

[jsbarber]

well it's certainly difficult to palm mute when playing fingerstyle!

Actually, I think I've seen Anthony Jackson accomplish this feat, where he plays with the thumb and fingers while palm muting with the edge of his hand. It's kind of like a classical guitar approach combined with a palm mute.

Jim

 

[Chef]

I do that some. It's harder, but, doable.

 

[BACKLINE BOB]

We have all the covers on, so was trying to get the ashtray thang going.
Quit smoking in 1980; put all the covers back on the...no need for the ashtray off the axe.
Palm mute is tough to do with bridge cover...especially on my Jazz!

 

[Chef]

Yessir, I agree with that!

 

[-=DanAtkinson=-]

If you want the James Jamerson tone, palm muting won't work. He used foam and played fingerstyle, up near the neck.

Never been a fan of palm muting + fingerstyle. I don't like the tone and it really limits your right hand.

 

[eddiemac]

I like the sound of foam under the strings (to sound like an upright bass), but I think it changes the intonation. Am I wrong? I'd palm-mute, but I can't seem to do it in a consistent manner.

 

[Batmensch]

If you want the James Jamerson tone, palm muting won't work. He used foam and played fingerstyle, up near the neck.

Never been a fan of palm muting + fingerstyle. I don't like the tone and it really limits your right hand.

Same here. I am capable of doing the palm mute thing, I choose not to. I feel it limits my right hand technique too much.