FretWraps, Guitar String Muter, and so on..

[koshey]

hi there dudes,

Who uses this? Does it help?
Do u buy it or replace with anything?

many thanks in advance!

 

[Watchootognbout]

Here are some posts discussing the Fret Wrap.
Fret Wraps and Fret Wedges by GRUV GEAR
Fret Wrap vs. Foam Under Bridge
What size fret wrap for an Ibanez sr

 

[Les Fret]

Only for tapping sometimes. But very rare. Try to avoid it and do the muting myself.

 

[pintspiller]

I put foam under my strings sometimes. Never thought of trying a wrap around the nut

 

[Anatosuchus]

I've experimented with a wrap for a bit. Don't use it for normal playing but it's been handy for the occasional recording when I need a really clean stem.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I put foam under my strings sometimes. Never thought of trying a wrap around the nut

A foam mute by the bridge mutes the overall tone of every note you play and reduces the amount of sustain drastically. This gives a much more old-school sound similar to what you might hear on Motown records, and these were actually built into old Fender bridge covers.

A FretWrap is used to mute the excess ringing of open strings. As it’s at the nut it has no effect on anything but open strings. This can help when playing multi-string basses or performing techniques that might increase the chances of sympathetic vibration from the open strings like two-hand tapping.

 

[Les Fret]

A foam mute by the bridge mutes the overall tone of every note you play and reduces the amount of sustain drastically. This gives a much more old-school sound similar to what you might hear on Motown records, and these were actually built into old Fender bridge covers.

A FretWrap is used to mute the excess ringing of open strings. As it’s at the nut it has no effect on anything but open strings. This can help when playing multi-string basses or performing techniques that might increase the chances of sympathetic vibration from the open strings like two-hand tapping.

Exactly this!

I was wandering if there are any techniques developed specifically for fretwraps? I mean not just for muting excessive open string noise but new techniques? I saw Victor Wooten use a hair band to get harmonics on the hair band position. Something like that.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Exactly this!

I was wandering if there are any techniques developed specifically for fretwraps? I mean not just for muting excessive open string noise but new techniques? I saw Victor Wooten use a hair band to get harmonics on the hair band position.Something like that.

Yeah.
He puts it at the upper frets and distorts harmonics.
Fret Wrap vs. Foam Under Bridge

 

[Les Fret]

Yeah.
He puts it at the upper frets and distorts harmonics.

Any more techniques like that specifically designed for fretwrap?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Any more techniques like that specifically designed for fretwrap?

I don't know of any others.
I just use it for the original purpose.

 

[Les Fret]

I don't know of any others.
I just use it for the original purpose.

Yes I thought maybe someone had another creative use for it besides muting unwanted noise.

 

[sharkansas]

When I bought my first 5 string I was playing a lot of stuff in the upper register and used it to help with my poor muting technique. I eventually got better at muting.

At stage volume, in the mix with a band, I doubt it would make a practical difference. My experience with it made me think that it is really for solo/bedroom use. With the exception of the advanced technique stuff mentioned earlier in the thread.

 

[JonathanPDX]

When I bought my first 5 string I was playing a lot of stuff in the upper register and used it to help with my poor muting technique. I eventually got better at muting.

At stage volume, in the mix with a band, I doubt it would make a practical difference. My experience with it made me think that it is really for solo/bedroom use. With the exception of the advanced technique stuff mentioned earlier in the thread.

It can be quite handy in the studio, where a little sound comes through a lot louder than on the stage. Anytime I'm playing/doubling parts higher than the first few frets I slide a mute on there while recording, just in case.

 

[chris_b]

Fret wraps only work on open strings, usually when you are playing something that can't be muted by normal means, ie tapping etc. If you want to deaden and fatten up the sound of your bass put foam under the strings by the bridge. It's worked for many bassists, including A listers, for the last 60 years.