String Mutes

[Smoking Man]

Does anyone know of an aftermarket string mute that can be instantly engaged and disengaged? --the kind of muting you'd get with a foam block under the strings by the bridge, but something that could be switched on and off instantly, so that you could use it live.

I remember the vintage Fender Jaguar guitar had an attempt at something like this -- although that particular idea wouldn't work as an aftermarket add-on because it was integrated into the bridge design.

The mutes that have come with some vintage basses, as far as I know, are not instantly switchable... they're either on or off.

any ideas or suggestions?

 

[96tbird]

The BassMute - An innovative muting device for the Bass Player
aaand there you have it.

 

[PaulNYC]

tape some felt across the strings

 

[Jazzdogg]

When I want to use a string mute, I have a piece of sponge that I cut to fit under my strings at the bridge. I cut the sponge with a rectangular cross-section: the "thin" dimension slides into position easily, but only mutes the strings a little; the "wide" dimension wedges in place and mutes the strings more aggressively.

I put the sponge in a small fabric pouch with a drawstrings that I can grab when I need to remove it; the pouch protects the sponge and keeps sponge-crumbs off of my bass.

 

[sayman]

Try Fret Wraps: http://www.gruvgear.com/fretwraps

 

[Internet Police]

Try your palm. Instant on off ability and a lot cheaper

 

[Smoking Man]

Thanks 96tbird - that is EXACTLY what I was hoping for. My Google searching didn't turn that up... duh.

Thanks to the rest of you for chiming in... but the ability to switch it on and off quickly was what I was looking for... if I'm just sitting in the studio, of course a block of foam works fine.

As to the palm...yeah, that's been the way I've done it so far. But it does limit me to using a pick...I don't like using thumb. And actually having a mute, AND in addition using the palm to go dynamically from medium muted to very muted is kinda cool. I'm going to get this thing.

 

[96tbird]

Your Google must have a virus. Or a fungus.

 

[Smoking Man]

We can blame it on the software fungus. I like that.

 

[SurferJoe46]

Leo did it years ago:::

 

[96tbird]

Hey Leo shows the silks going up over the saddles!

 

[SurferJoe46]

Just noticed that too

 

[Smoking Man]

Is that a drawing of the mute from the '60 J bass? I've never actually seen those installed and working. How do they move up and down?

 

[_chrispy]

I've emailed the guy selling the bass mutes at least half a dozen times and never heard back from him so you might be out of luck there.

 

[SurferJoe46]

Is that a drawing of the mute from the '60 J bass? I've never actually seen those installed and working. How do they move up and down?

The pixs I saw had a lever alongside the bridge cover that you can flip on or off.

 

[96tbird]

I've emailed the guy selling the bass mutes at least half a dozen times and never heard back from him so you might be out of luck there.

Zut alors, sorry to hear that. Jeeze Smoking Man, what a let down.

 

[Smoking Man]

I emailed last night. I'll post back if I hear from the guy. There's a phone number there too... I like the idea so much that if I can't buy one, I'll figure out a way to make one.

 

[_chrispy]

Yeah i want some kind of muting device that i can turn on and off I was going to talk to some local engineers types to see if they could make something for me

 

[Smoking Man]

If it turns out that this guy is no longer in business, I was thinking of emailing Hipshot and suggesting they duplicate the idea...it sounds like it would be up their alley.

Years ago I had access to a machine shop... these days, if I wanted to try making one of these, I'd have to make do with a very restricted set of tools. Not fun.

 

[96tbird]

He had better be in business. His site is still up. I'll have to sue him for embarrasing me.

Make one for yourself, a block of aluminum, a file, and a dvd of "escape from Alcatraz" for inspiration and motivation!