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Double Bass indoor apt practice
- Thread starter alanbarnosky
- Start date
Well I tried with some heavy metal washers and some cork...held together with bolt and wingnut....didnt quite cut it. I tried a bunch of different things this weekend and the best results I got for quiet practice was to use the Ultra practice mute on the bridge and to weave a small hand type towel through the strings above the bridge (got the idea from a post by Ed Faqua). This drastically reduced the noise when playing. Pretty darn silent while pizz, and really quiet arco. However I found it tough to grab the string with the bow while doing this...i may need more rosin. But it really cut down the sound on my bass...I am confident I could practice and have someone in the next room and not disturb them at all. The only downfall is the towel basically puts an end to sustain.....but I think this will allow me to skip out on an EUB as an alternative. Just thought I would pass on my limited experience if any one is looking to quiet things down.
Pictures of my ankle weight bass mute system:
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The ankle weight straps around the bridge. The extra mass dampens the bridge from moving and their placement is more conducive to preventing the transfer of string energy from the bridge to the body of the bass. Each weight weighs 1 lb. Sometimes I use one and if I'm working on something REALLY loud, I'll strap a second one on over the first.
When standing it does change the balance of the bass a little and the arco response is a little slower...but it beats not practicing at all. And when the weights come off, the bass feels very easy to play.
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The ankle weight straps around the bridge. The extra mass dampens the bridge from moving and their placement is more conducive to preventing the transfer of string energy from the bridge to the body of the bass. Each weight weighs 1 lb. Sometimes I use one and if I'm working on something REALLY loud, I'll strap a second one on over the first.
When standing it does change the balance of the bass a little and the arco response is a little slower...but it beats not practicing at all. And when the weights come off, the bass feels very easy to play.
Thanks! That is a great and simple idea but I would have never thought of that. I am going to try this for sure.
Hey thanks for the idea- the links to those photos don't seem to be working now, any chance of seeing them again? Thanks
Here are pictures of the steel mute.
is that thing from one of the "Saw" movies?
I tried the ankle weight thing. I got 5 lbers. They don't quite fit under the bridge and it changes the balance point a lot and were only slightly more effective than an Ultra practice mute.
Bill, where did you find those steel plates?
Last night I was teaching a student and my neighbour threw something against the wall and knocked a piece of art work off! Sigh....
Bill, where did you find those steel plates?
Last night I was teaching a student and my neighbour threw something against the wall and knocked a piece of art work off! Sigh....
I used to be labor relations manager in an iron foundry and I got a machinist to cut them for me. He also made me a couple of endpins with notches cut closer together so I could fine-tune the height of the bass.
I was in an apt for a couple years and tried (not as extensively as the suggestions in this thread) to mute the bass, but found the best solution was to talk to the neighbors. The ones on either side and in the unit above said it was about radio volume (no problem); the one below said it rattled their hanging light fixtures. Came to an agreement on what times were acceptable to practice (quit at midnight) and everything was peachy with minimal muting.
Just wanted to point out that there is a PR side to this.
Just wanted to point out that there is a PR side to this.
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@Bejoyous Maybe try different ways of strapping the weights on? I've only had to use 1 or 2 lbs, at the most. Its also very possible that you pull a much larger sound than I do...
@mcbosler The last place I lived (recently moved back home to pay off college loans more quickly) I did this before I signed a lease and was able to get a spot where I could practice basically whenever I wanted. I was nice while it lasted!
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@Bejoyous Maybe try different ways of strapping the weights on? I've only had to use 1 or 2 lbs, at the most. Its also very possible that you pull a much larger sound than I do...
@mcbosler The last place I lived (recently moved back home to pay off college loans more quickly) I did this before I signed a lease and was able to get a spot where I could practice basically whenever I wanted. I was nice while it lasted!
I think you ought to step up to the plate and buy one of these:
http://www.vocalbooth.com/
A $5K bass mute.
http://www.vocalbooth.com/
A $5K bass mute.
You can also check out some of the best portable vocal booths from Invalid Link Removed
I got mine from their guide and I've been using it for months.
I got mine from their guide and I've been using it for months.
Years ago (like 40+ yrs) I lived in a 3-story walkup and had problems with the neighbors. I found this solid brass mute - weighs around a pound - and still use it to this day. Its very effective! No idea who I got it from, and if they are still produced. I include this comment to reinforce the idea that mass absorbs sound, more effectively than soft padding.
