FOAM MUTES ON FENDER BASSES

[Baird6869]

My 1974 P has an uneven foam strip (maybe 1/2" x 3") crudely glued to the underside of my bridge cover. All original and definately not something that was given much though or QC to say the least.

I wouldn't over think this one.... a bit of Elmer's or superglue and a little piece of foam and you will find your inner Jamerson!

 

[Bonafide]

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.

Jamersons playing was excellent, his intonation was sometomes terrible! Ha ha! One of the challenges of learning certain motown tunes note for note (by ear back in the day) was how slightly out of pitch his instrument would be in the upper register. I suspect the foam contributed to that, but possibly old strings as well.

Honestly it doesn't affect the intonation enough to be a real-time issue for live performance. In the studio you can make adjustments before the red light. Auralex type foam works perfect. Have had a piece in my gig bag for years and years.

Blessings!

 

[BACKLINE BOB]

Please tell me more about this Auralex type foam!
Thanks!

 

[FunkyMcNasty]

ask him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1CUr7SXGaE

He's on TB: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/member.php?u=188465

This dude jams. Thanks for turning me onto these guys.

 

[sugarsand]

You can do hammer off (to open string) with your pointer finger on your left hand with the foam under the strings, or in the ashtray. That feature is critical to a certain stand-up attack sound. Basically hammer off in two places at once. imo not the same sound with palm mute.

 

[Mr.Fingers]

Fender has it as a genuine replacement part... Although it isn't listed as that...

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it's called "Fender Weatherstrip 9/16x1/2", Fender part # 0018556049, and it's the same material as used in the sixties (very tough foam, just wide enough to span all 4 strings)...

And it sounds like:

 

[Chef]

^^^great post!

 

[-=DanAtkinson=-]

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.

Foam under the strings can impact intonation, depending on how much pressure the foam is putting on the strings. On my P basses, I use the chrome bridge cover and put the foam between the strings and cover.

 

[BACKLINE BOB]

Mr Fingers,

Thanks for the pic....I've heard that pkg. of foam is to put under pickups....does it also work for ashtray, or is this something else?

Backline Bob

 

[Down_Low]

I've seen a video somewhere (was it Standing In The Shadows...?) of Bob Babbitt with an everyday sponge under the strings. If its good enough for him it's good enough for me! (although mines under a bridge cover)

 

[kurosawa]

The original foam was trimmed diagonally beginning halfway up the G string side and ending near the D string on the edge away from the bridge. So it wasn't 1/2 cut away at the G string, more like 1/4 or 1/3.

 

[Mr.Fingers]

Mr Fingers,

Thanks for the pic....I've heard that pkg. of foam is to put under pickups....does it also work for ashtray, or is this something else?

Backline Bob

I've ordered a pack of that Fender weatherstrip, since I needed only one strip, I used the other one underneath the ashtray, and that's the thing you hear in that youtubemovie... So yes: it works, it works great!

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

I put one under the strings on my Jag the other day. Works great, love the sound.

I used some white foam that I got out of an old life jacket. Plasticy and layered, don't know exactly what kind it is, but it's just the right level of rigid and soft. Cut a strip to fit between the back of the J pup and the bridge, no glue, I cut it just enough to fit snug under the strings.

With my intonation the E and G dig into the foam a bit, especially the G string. A is fine, but D seems to sit above the foam a touch more then i'd like, but i'd just have to lower that string a bit.

On a side note, I noticed Babbit on the "Standing In the Shadows of Motown" DVD used a gray piece of sponge, at least that's what it looked like. I thought about that, but it seemed like it would be too soft. I have GHS Super Steels and the sustain is incredible, so I figured I needed something a little stiffer to deaden that more.

 

[freshbass]

Anyone know where to find and how to attach the foam mutes that Fender used on the basses back in the 50's to duplicate the "thunk" of an upright bass? It was put under the "ashtray" cover over the bridge, I think.

65 P bass w/ ashtray mute cover. All original. Leo simply used a 3/8" x 1/2" wide bit of window sealant foam from the hardware store, or a similar size felt. They are sticky on one side. Most of his "innovations" were done on the cheap, AFAIK his solid finishes were car paint colors, his bridge was steel threaded rod saddles, his "clay" dot markers were asbestos tile from the factory floor, tuners were kluson upright kay bass tuners, his choice of 34" was based on the smallest upright bass 1/4 size, the bolt on neck was for repair/replacement, simplicity ruled...and it became the most useful electric bass to this day due to the ergonomics, tone, and how easy it is to repair.