Double Bass Minimizing vibration/volume in an crappy apartment

[BWV871]

Hello, I am in a bit of a predicament....

I have a neighbor that makes noise complaints any time I so much as play a note on my instruments. I have tried to talk with them, but they don't answer. I have tried to explain my situation to the manager, but she doesn't care. To the manager, my practicing creates a disturbance no matter how seldom or short I do so. When I recently confronted the manager about this, she claimed that in the videos the neighbor has sent it wasn't the volume of my practicing that is an issue, its the vibrations that it causes.

At this point, I bring my upright to a park and practice there...It sucks, because I don't feel like I'm learning anything new when I do that. I feel like I'm only rehearsing things I already know since I'm not in private. It has also been rainy lately, so I don't want to risk it. I live on the second floor, and my apartment has 2 floors----I've only practiced on the top so as to not disturb the person below me. The person who complains lives on the left of me.

I have tried several combinations of things to minimize the vibration, and each combination has still resulted in noise complaints.



-I've tried 3 different makes of this: https://www.amazon.com/Jiayouy-Rubber-Acoustic-Practice-Silencer/dp/B08CGPDYJR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3LOH33XOI50KI&keywords=rubber+bass+mute&qid=1678059725&sprefix=rubber+bass+mut,aps,142&sr=8-2

-I've bought a movers blanket and tried wrapping it around the top and tail piece.

-I've tried wrapping the bass in foam that is an inch thick.

-I've tried all combinations of these three items.

How would I go about resolving this? I am willing to do anything short of spending more than a couple hundred dollars. Is there anything I can build that has a very high chance of making it impossible for the neighbor to hear/feel anything?

 

[BassFalcon]

One of the issues is that your endpin is conducting vibrations into the frame of the building. You have to decouple your endpin from the floor. Just off the top of my head I would look at perhaps making a little platform, maybe get two 3’x3’ pieces of plywood, there is a green glue that people that build studios use that absorbs vibrations. Glue the two sheets together with that stuff, make a small frame out of 2x4’s. Glue the plywood sheets to the frame with the green glue. Then mount some manner of vibration reducing feet. That’s what I’d try.

 

[BassFalcon]

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[BassFalcon]

Maybe something like this for the feet:
https://www.grainger.com/product/MASON-Vibration-Isolation-Pad-Neoprene-5C027

 

[Don Hergert]

Years ago we lived in a similarly poorly insulated apartment... I'm sympathetic.

Worth mentioning, the more you mute your double bass, the less you'll be able to judge how well your tone and volume control techniques are really working.

The platform suggestion from @BassFalcon is great. But we're assuming you are only playing acoustically, with NO AMP involvement -- is that true?

If so, a couple of other possibilities:

Does your apartment have a covered parking structure? If so, might try practicing there.

Do you have any friends in the area that would let you practice in their home or garage?

Do, or can you, rent a very small covered storage unit where you could practice?

Is there a school nearby that has a music department (and understands practice), that would let you practice there?

I'd suggest that no matter how much you mute, you're not going to be able to please your neighbors. They are sensitized and alert to any sounds or vibrations that you produce.

The biggest issue is that you're upstairs; your double bass probably vibrates the whole floor. Is there any possibility of moving downstairs?

 

[BWV871]

Years ago we lived in a similarly poorly insulated apartment... I'm sympathetic.

Worth mentioning, the more you mute your double bass, the less you'll be able to judge how well your tone and volume control techniques are really working.

The platform suggestion from @BassFalcon is great. But we're assuming you are only playing acoustically, with NO AMP involvement -- is that true?

If so, a couple of other possibilities:

Does your apartment have a covered parking structure? If so, might try practicing there.

Do you have any friends in the area that would let you practice in their home or garage?

Do, or can you, rent a very small covered storage unit where you could practice?

Is there a school nearby that has a music department (and understands practice), that would let you practice there?

I'd suggest that no matter how much you mute, you're not going to be able to please your neighbors. They are sensitized and alert to any sounds or vibrations that you produce.

The biggest issue is that you're upstairs; your double bass probably vibrates the whole floor. Is there any possibility of moving downstairs?

Yes, always unamplified.

-It has a parking lot, but I'd be out in the open for all the residents and I'm sure this neighbor would complain even about that....I'd prefer solitude or as close to it so I can sound like crap without self consciousness.

-No, not even my own parents will allow me to practice at their place.

-There are a few schools, but it isn't realistic because I'm trying to practice after 5p.m. for an hour each day.

-There is a studio that I am able to book in advance, but that adds up quick. If there is something I can build that will allow me to practice in the apartment, that's the route I want to take. I will supplement with studio time, but keep in mind that would be 30$ per session = 210$ week, 840$ a month....

 

[Don Hergert]

... I will supplement with studio time, but keep in mind that would be 30$ per session = 210$ week, 840$ a month.... ...

I'd bet you could rent a small covered storage unit in your area for less than that. I'm paying around $200/month at a storage facility in Southern California to park my modest Class C RV. The smallest storage units there are also about that price, and they are at least big enough to practice a double bass in.

 

[BWV871]

I'd bet you could rent a small covered storage unit in your area for less than that. I'm paying around $200/month at a storage facility in Southern California to park my modest Class C RV. The smallest storage units there are also about that price.

I will look into it, but I will try building some kinda platform in the meantime as well. Need to be able to get home from work, and just right into it.

 

[Don Hergert]

With the platform idea, I'd suggest yes, build it, then specifically test it with your neighbors who complained... Their cooperation with the test is important; their opinions will determine your success. Have them look over your platform and point out all the things you have tried in building it. Your efforts and your interest in their opinion will help them realize you're also serious about a good workable solution.

 

[Ketbass]

Yes, always unamplified.
-No, not even my own parents will allow me to practice at their place.

Brutal…

Still trying to picture the park thing too.

Not cheap or the best of all worlds, would a SB300 EUB be an option? Even a used older model might do from a playability stand point.

 

[BWV871]

With the platform idea, I'd suggest yes, build it, then specifically test it with your neighbors who complained... Their cooperation with the test is important; their opinions will determine your success. Have them look over your platform and point out all the things you have tried in building it. Your efforts and your interest in their opinion will help them realize you're also serious about a good workable solution.

I don't think they're going to cooperate lol, I've tried knocking on their door and they never answer, even when I know they're there. They're already abusing the fair housing act with a fake "emotional support" pug in an apartment complex that doesn't allow pets. When I try the platform out, I'll know if it works by whether I get another complaint from the manager or not.

Brutal…

Still trying to picture the park thing too.

Not cheap or the best of all worlds, would a SB300 EUB be an option? Even a used older model might do from a playability stand point.

Yeah, I bring it to a nearby park with my little micro cube amp and plug my iphone into it to play with recordings, as far away from other people as I can get. At that price point I'd rather be saving up for a fully carved bass...

 

[uprightbass.com]

A bass is made to naturally amplify string vibrations. It’s a gigantic speaker in a sense. Trying to not make do that is just not possible.

The Yamaha silent instrument started off to solve that problem in Japan where people needed to practice yet they live in high rises and in densely populated areas.

Even if you don’t get the latest and greatest (the SLB300) the older versions will do fine for practicing especially if you never intend to perform with it.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

You closely come to the point where you might ignore the complaints from both.
What does the law say to practicing for an hour each day at your practicing time? Is making music forbidden in your contract? If not, check the law.

AFAIK practicing for an hour in the daytime at least up to 7pm is allowed in Germany for amateur players, more for professionals.
You might risk to get your contract terminated regularly, depending on the law.

But if your manager understands that your rights are suppressed by that resident, you tried everything to reduce the volume and that there is no interest from that resident to even communicate to solve the problem, that person might get his/her contract terminated, not you.

If nothing helps, you might consider changing to tuba or trumpet and communicate that to them.

 

[jj.833]

About the platform. It's a good idea, but you can try it before you spend money. Just put your bass on the bed or mattress and play. Ask neighbors in advance that you are trying something, if it helps.
My experience - no way that severe - is that if you talk with the neighbors and show them good will, you've half won. If not, move elsewhere.

 

[Paps]

As I assume you are paying rent, is there any reason why you cant move to a more suitable place?

 

[Guitalia]

You don't like going to a park to practice because you don't like practicing in public? You're clearly already practicing in public, since your neighbors can hear every note you play.

I share a wall with the row house next door. The guy who lives there "plays" an electric bass and knows five songs. It took him about a year to get to where the songs were identifiable.

Thank God, he eventually lost interest---it was torture every time I heard that first note of his favorite Black Sabbath song, knowing what I was in for. I play electric bass too, but I was ready to kill that guy every time he plugged in and started playing. It was impossible to ignore. I completely sympathize with your neighbors.

If I were in your situation, I'd do anything possible to avoid subjecting my neighbors to that kind of misery. If, as you hinted, your apartment building has a parking garage, there's your answer. At worst, you'll get a few friendly questions or comments from the other people using the garage when they see you with the bass. Eventually, you'll be completely ignored.

If you'd rather not do that and are determined to keep practicing in your apartment, stuff towels or a blanket in front of the bridge under the strings, to the point where each note is barely audible. You can at least practice your fingering that way. You won't be able to work on your tone. Big deal. Play responsibly.

 

[Ed S]

You closely come to the point where you might ignore the complaints from both.
What does the law say to practicing for an hour each day at your practicing time? Is making music forbidden in your contract? If not, check the law.
...

It is to your credit that you want to be a good tenant/neighbor, but it is unlikely your neighbors get to hold you hostage to their sensitivities. People walk on hardwood floors with shoes, have kids, play the TV, have company...

Check out what your lease and local law says about noise, and see if you can work with that. If the neighbors don't like it - that's too bad. Meanwhile, look for another place.

 

[BassFalcon]

@DoubleMIDI and @Ed S have the right idea. Communal living requires compromises. You need to be able to live your life too.

besides that, back to the platform idea…I wonder if just a 1’x1’ platform with the glue and vibration isolating feet would be enough to de-couple from the building? Or even a hardcover book on a neoprene mousepad. If you could make a de-coupling platform that small then you just extend your endpin a bit less and it’s even cheaper and more manageable size wise.

 

[BassFalcon]

Also, I’m not dispensing legal advice, but just keep playing…
I don’t know a single cop that would write a noise ordinance ticket for a single dude working on Mozart excerpts or Bach Cello Suites. That would be hilarious, I think you could set up a go fund me and the residents of TalkBass would surely help you cover it, I would.

 

[Ed S]

I'm interested to hear what the OP's lease says. I've never heard of a living community (outside something like a college dorm, or retirement/assisted living) where there were required to be 24/7 quiet hours. I'm not your lawyer, but the idea that you are willing to keep it to 1 hour a day from 5-6 p.m. - as well as exploring insulation - seems like you are being very reasonable.

Unless your lease is specific to the contrary, I'd suggest some combination of the mute/platform/insulation/experimenting different locations is all the neighbor is entitled to. If you practice on a schedule, then they can arrange their errands accordingly or just move away from your common wall. If the apartment manager says otherwise, as them to point out SPECIFIC language in your lease or applicable law saying that.

You say you don't practice downstairs to not annoy your neighbor below - but do you KNOW that 1 hr from 5-6 will bother THAT neighbor?

The fact that the complainers are claiming their pet is an "emotional support" animal suggests to me that they are not likely to be reasonable. But that doesn't mean you have to completely give in to their unreasonable demands.

But, yeah - I'd be looking for different housing options.