Double Bass Increased Response with Practice Mute equals...?

[E.O.M.]

I have a Hungarian roundback bass from 1999 that sounds great except for a few response issues, mainly a couple wolfs here are there and some weird behavior in the high register. I've been considering a lighter tailpiece than the ebony one that's on there (I've already tried the Marvin with mixed yet ultimately undesirable results), or perhaps a new bridge.

The point of the thread is that I notice a great increase in overall response when I use the heavy ultra rubber practice mute. The strings speak easier and spiccato is effortless. Does anyone have an idea of what the mute is helping? More of a bridge or a tailpiece thing, or perhaps something else altogether?

 

[JoeyNaeger]

Could you post some close up shots of your bridge?

 

[E.O.M.]

 

[E.O.M.]

 

[Paul Warburton]

You have a wolf tone eliminator on your E string. Why?
Usually that happens on the A.
I'm thinking a simple sound post adjustment, kindly, would help you out big time.

 

[E.O.M.]

The E string is the only place that helps most of the wolf tone problem. Without an eliminator, the open G is wolfy. Putting the eliminator on the A or G string dampens the G but creates a bad wolf on F# and a moderate wolf on Ab. The D string does nothing. Putting in on the E gets rid of the G wolf without causing much problem on F# or Ab.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

It may be that the weight of the mute is helping provide greater movement of the top. Once you overcome the initial inertia with your bow stroke and the string/bridge/top starts to oscillate, the amplitude may be increased. How does the bass respond with higher or lower string tension?

 

[JoeyNaeger]

Would you say that the strings feel stiff and resistive under the bow, or is it that they just scratch a lot? What kind of tailgut is on the bass and what interval are the after lengths in relation to the vibrating string length? I would check with a luthier about the fit and location of your soundpost. Explain the problem and see what they say. If that offers nothing, you might consider trying a synthetic tailgut such as the Pecanic tailgut. On some basses, they improve the response and tone, but others, I've found they can really kill the sound. I have a hunch that your bass would like a heavier tailpiece. You could experiment by adding a C-clamp or something to the tailpiece. Lastly, are you sure you like those strings? Good luck!