Double Bass Lets talk about the Nino Mute

[Jay Corwin]

I'm late to the party as usual, but I picked up a Nino-Mute a couple of months ago. For having to play in loud amplified environments where the thump is important, I figured why not give a try. So far I played one gig with it, and it worked great with one exception - the G string. It was hard for me to make out much on the G.

I am going to try EQ, and maybe backing the string out of the slot on the mute a bit to see if might help. Has anyone else had experience specifically with the Nino in amplified situations?

I don't use it to practice or for anything truly acoustic.

ninomute 4 | ninomute

Designed for double bass and other stringed instruments, the NinoMute alters the instruments’ note envelope, smoothing out articulation and working to tame abrasive, dynamically inconsistent notes. The resulting tone is thumpier, darker, and more direct; highly effective in ensembles that call...

www.ninomute.com

 

[Francois Blais]

What's the problem with the G string?
Not muted enough or too much?

 

[jTrolt]

I agree, the G gets muted down excessively if you install the mute as prescribed. I simply grip the lower strings using the slots in the rubber mute, but angle it like a ramp from lowest to highest string in such a way that the G barely enters the slot for it, sometimes to a point that the mute is pretty much just resting on the G string. Requires spot checking occasionally throughout the show. Good product, does it's job, but yeah, that G requires some tweaking for a proper blend.

 

[BobKay]

I’ve been using one regularly on my Yamaha SLB300 to reduce sustain. Won’t plug in without it. No issues on ant string due to the mute.

Clearly, using it on an EUB is not comparable to an acoustic bass.

 

[Jay Corwin]

What's the problem with the G string?
Not muted enough or too much?

Too much.

 

[Francois Blais]

And what strings are you currently using? Guts?

 

[jTrolt]

I'm using it on an NS WAV5, as seen in my avatar, so mine is a set of D'Addario Contemporary strings.

 

[Jay Corwin]

And what strings are you currently using? Guts?

On G/D yes.

 

[Francois Blais]

Mmm, that gut G has probably no need for a mute indeed.
Maybe you could use the mute on the A/E only?
Just an idea.

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

By golly, that thing sure looks an AWFUL LOT like the NordyMute, which sells for less.
But no-one would just start producing a lookalike product without authorization, right?
Prolly just my imagination.


And yes, I see that it is curved, which would make it a better fit on an upright/double bass. But still...

 

[Jay Corwin]

I agree, the G gets muted down excessively if you install the mute as prescribed. I simply grip the lower strings using the slots in the rubber mute, but angle it like a ramp from lowest to highest string in such a way that the G barely enters the slot for it, sometimes to a point that the mute is pretty much just resting on the G string. Requires spot checking occasionally throughout the show. Good product, does it's job, but yeah, that G requires some tweaking for a proper blend.

I just gave this a try and initial results are promising. Ill have to plug in and see what I get. Thanks for tip.

 

[Jay Corwin]

By golly, that thing sure looks an AWFUL LOT like the NordyMute, which sells for less.
But no-one would just start producing a lookalike product without authorization, right?
Prolly just my imagination.


And yes, I see that it is curved, which would make it a better fit on an upright/double bass. But still...

Lots of folks make upright specific accessories in small batches. The uniqueness of the instrument requires it to be that way in many cases.

 

[Francois Blais]

The NordyMute is straight and dedicated to the Bass Guitar.

 

[Danny C]

I have one and have the same issue and have resolved it the same way as you. It must be adjusted to each string which is hard and must be checked. But when it's right it's right.

 

[BobKay]

By golly, that thing sure looks an AWFUL LOT like the NordyMute, which sells for less.
But no-one would just start producing a lookalike product without authorization, right?
Prolly just my imagination.


And yes, I see that it is curved, which would make it a better fit on an upright/double bass. But still...

But still...anything that looks similar and costs more must be trashed. Wow. Do you apply that reasoning to everything, from breakfast cereals to bass guitars?

 

[Mark Gollihur]

By golly, that thing sure looks an AWFUL LOT like the NordyMute, which sells for less.
But no-one would just start producing a lookalike product without authorization, right?
Prolly just my imagination.


And yes, I see that it is curved, which would make it a better fit on an upright/double bass. But still...

FWIW, Nino Ocampo makes the NinoMutes by hand. He briefly made them, with Nordstrand as a licensed distributor (and with them branded as a Nordstrand product) as an extension to their flat bass guitar mute lineup.

Nordstrand has since apparently abandoned the URB market (it's outside their normal realm) and Nino continues to make and sell NinoMutes independently, mostly through my online store. Despite looking and working similarly, there are material/structural/design differences from the flat, less flexible Nordy bass guitar mutes, as well.

Since I'm the primary seller of them, I'll leave it to others to discuss their usefulness, benefits and whatnot, I just thought it appropriate to clarify the facts for the concerns posted.

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

FWIW, Nino Ocampo makes the NinoMutes by hand. He briefly made them, with Nordstrand as a licensed distributor (and with them branded as a Nordstrand product) as an extension to their flat bass guitar mute lineup.

Nordstrand has since apparently abandoned the URB market (it's outside their normal realm) and Nino continues to make and sell NinoMutes independently, mostly through my online store. Despite looking and working similarly, there are material/structural/design differences from the flat, less flexible Nordy bass guitar mutes, as well.

Since I'm the primary seller of them, I'll leave it to others to discuss their usefulness, benefits and whatnot, I just thought it appropriate to clarify the facts for the concerns posted.

Thank you for providing context and clarification! It appears that my suspicious mind was too quick to leap to any conclusions. That is probably the result of seeing so many design ideas co-opted in effect pedals, instruments, clothing, electronic devices, and so on.
Having heard the irritation of pedal designers when their original ideas are "borrowed," I tend to feel irked any time it appears that someone is being robbed of their intellectual property. I hereby acknowledge that this does NOT seem to be such an instance.
I still recall my surprise years ago when, in an attempt to compete with the growing popularity of the Toyota Prius, Honda produced a hybrid car with a body shape that looked nearly identical to the Prius. I had previously owned and been very happy with two Honda Accord cars, but this copycat move on their part left me with a very negative opinion of the company from then on.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

It might be a good idea to shorten the foam/rubber or whatever is used to damp the strings towards the higher strings. I just saw a picture of a Ninomute some time ago, but I think the damped length for each string was equal. Since Nino makes them by hand he might experiment with it. It would be still possible to move the smaller damped part a bit away from the bridge to enhance the damping effect.

Just an idea …

 

[Mark Gollihur]

It might be a good idea to shorten the foam/rubber or whatever is used to damp the strings towards the higher strings. I just saw a picture of a Ninomute some time ago, but I think the damped length for each string was equal. Since Nino makes them by hand he might experiment with it. It would be still possible to move the smaller damped part a bit away from the bridge to enhance the damping effect.

Just an idea …

Different strings seem to react differently to the mute, but the material is firm and grippy, so it holds tightly; I find that varying the depth that you push the mute onto the strings provides a useful range of adjustment for different strings, different timbre needs, etc.

 

[Don Hergert]

Perhaps a simpler approach???