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Double Bass String damping grommets

ricobasso

ricobasso

Jan 18, 2007
171
13
UK, South East
#1
Way bitd when I had my first db lesson, my teacher had just fitted a new set of strings which came with rubber grommets. These were fitted under the string where they passed over the bridge. It stopped the strings being too bright and suppressed ghost squeaks when bowing. I've never seen these since and never had them supplied with any set of strings that I've had in the 40 years since.

I've recently been doing a lot more bowing (in lockdown) and I can be rather squeaky at times. I'd want to try the grommets. Does anyone supply these any more?
 
#3
You're talking about something on the bridge and not the pads that go under the ball end on the tailpiece right?

I would think you could experiment with rubber o rings from the plumbing section of the local hardware store much easier and cheaper than sourcing a "bass specific" product. (It would probably come from the same source too)
 
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#5
They used to come with Thomastik strings,too. I think the solid core ones also had little metal pieces that would fit between the strings and bridge. I remember some players had the little donuts made of fiber of some kind, and others made of leather. It was especially amusing if you were trying to fit the donut while tightening a string and it would shoot out across the room-all kinds of fun.
 
#6
They are called tone-filters.
The idea is to tame the higher partials until the string has played in.
Usually only used on a G (or maybe high C).

Pirastro and Thomastik put them into the G string sleeve.

I think the bent half-tubes were made to let the string slip better over the bridge, so correcting the bridge angle under tension is easier.
But there might be other reasons too.

Got them with my first set of (German) DB strings when I started with my first instrument. But found them also with the Super Sensitive high C.

One reason to use them might be that the thin string should not cut into the bridge wood.
 
#8
You might also look into either an ebony or rubber bridge mute.
It does take some futzing to make it fit at first, but I prefer the more classic ebony as it can also be called for in actual performance. It does make my hybrid sound more subdued and less "strident" when desired.
Some also like the rubber ones for a more muffled practice tone.

As for individual string dampeners, i not really sure they're that effective and certainly less easy to slip on and off.

just my 2 cents.
 

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