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The BassMute returns!
- Thread starter Daveypoo
- Start date
I like this much better than an under-string mute. this is the way a "buff" stop works on a harpsichord, which is also a lateral damping mechanism on a rail that runs the length of the fingerboard. Now, instead of having 4, 5, or 6 pads to adjust, think about having 49+ pads to adjust! (Oh - BTW - harpsichords have had buff stops, especially in France, for about 300 years!)
I like the Fump. Makes my pbass sound like an upright. Doesn't work for all situations, but for what it does it's brilliant.
Anyone know if one of these can be installed on a Ric 4003?
I don't like the stock bridge mute system. Can't ever seem to get it balanced.
Thanks!
I don't like the stock bridge mute system. Can't ever seem to get it balanced.
Thanks!
Refer to the following link: The BassMute and click on INSTALL.
"To be able to use the BassMute, your bass must meet the following requirements: The distance between the strings and the body must exceed 10.5 mm. ( 27/64" ) Since the width of the base plate of the BassMute is 15 mm, there should be enough space between the base plate of the bridge and the bridge pickup to accommodate. The BassMute is designed for flat bodies. If your bass does not apply to these requirements, some minor adjustments may help to allow using the BassMute. First read the "Adjustments" section to check out."
Good luck!
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It's official - my two Bassmutes arrived today!!!!!
I'm almost in disbelief that I have this in hand after chasing it for so long. My initial thought was that it's bigger and heavier than I would've thought but I'm glad because that means it'll be a solid piece of gear. I also noticed that the lever has a bit of a different design than the pics on the site - this one has four total positions (off, on 1, on 2, on 3) rather than the three (off, on 1, on 2) that are shown on the site. Again - NICE! I recently upgraded my Hipshot D-Tuner to the double throw lever, so now this matches perfectly... more levers to throw
!!!!
Anyway, that's it for now. Hopefully I'll get a chance to install it after the kids are in bed tonight (assuming my wife isn't on my case to watch Daredevil, which may very well happen) and I'll take some pics when the install is set.
For all you doubters out there over the years - patience and persistence.
I'm almost in disbelief that I have this in hand after chasing it for so long. My initial thought was that it's bigger and heavier than I would've thought but I'm glad because that means it'll be a solid piece of gear. I also noticed that the lever has a bit of a different design than the pics on the site - this one has four total positions (off, on 1, on 2, on 3) rather than the three (off, on 1, on 2) that are shown on the site. Again - NICE! I recently upgraded my Hipshot D-Tuner to the double throw lever, so now this matches perfectly... more levers to throw
!!!!Anyway, that's it for now. Hopefully I'll get a chance to install it after the kids are in bed tonight (assuming my wife isn't on my case to watch Daredevil, which may very well happen) and I'll take some pics when the install is set.
For all you doubters out there over the years - patience and persistence.
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Ok - here are some crappy phone pics but it's the best I can do. The install was a bit tricky since I had to trim the foam. Cutting up the brand new foam was a bit nerve-wracking, but luckily he included 4 extra pads in case I screwed it up too badly.
I still need to tweak it over time and use - haven't gotten a chance to plug in yet, but acoustically this thing is just fantastic. I didn't think I'd care about the different pressure settings, but man alive that's the best part about it! It can do everything from just barely touching the strings to the full on, Fump-style instant dead-ness. It's great, but like I said I have to dial it in over time.
Thanks, Ellio! I've had this on my bass for less than an hour and I'm already completely satisfied. And NO DRILLING HOLES IN MY BASS!!!!
Rock on, brethren - place your orders so that he'll make more
I still need to tweak it over time and use - haven't gotten a chance to plug in yet, but acoustically this thing is just fantastic. I didn't think I'd care about the different pressure settings, but man alive that's the best part about it! It can do everything from just barely touching the strings to the full on, Fump-style instant dead-ness. It's great, but like I said I have to dial it in over time.
Thanks, Ellio! I've had this on my bass for less than an hour and I'm already completely satisfied. And NO DRILLING HOLES IN MY BASS!!!!
Rock on, brethren - place your orders so that he'll make more
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Go to The BassMute website and click on CONTACT and fill out the on-line form. He should follow-up with an email to you. However, if he doesn't, then you can follow-up with him from his contact information from the website:
Ellio Martina Guitars
Tel/Fax: +31 (0)575-511006
Email: [email protected]
I hope this helps and good luck!
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Oh hey - no problem! I'm just glad that there are a bunch of interested folks. I was always hoping to drum up enough interest to get them made again, and whether I contributed or not I still managed to get one. I've not found as elegant a solution anywhere else so I'm satisfied and I hope that the rest of you can benefit from my minor obsession.
And besides... now I have the world's most versatile bass - mwah ha ha Ha Ha HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the end of a crusade for me - I know I've mentioned it elsewhere in the thread (probably ad nauseum, but whatever) but a few years back I did a bunch of upgrades to my P bass and this was the only thing I couldn't do at the time because I couldn't get one. I even added a J pickup specifically in the 60's position (further from the bridge) to leave extra room for the Bassmute. I was inspired by Mike Masuda's video here:
I didn't even know such a thing existed until I saw the vid, and it got me thinking. I had modded my J bass years before, and while I always preferred playing the P (better neck, lower action, etc.) it never sounded as good as the J. So after peeping Masuda's video, I decided to go for it and started researching pieces. I went with Bill Lawrence's Wilde pickups (replaced the P and added a J), a Badass II bridge with factory grooved saddles, and a Hipshot D-Tuner with a double stop lever. And now I can get a TON of excellent tones from just the one bass. It can literally do most anything and I'm psyched. Been playing all night!
Received my Bass-Mutes from Ellio yesterday. However, I didn't have time to actually install the device before going to bed, I'm hoping to install it by end of week. Anyway, I did take the time to detune the bass and slide the mute under the strings as suggested, just to get an idea of how the process will work. Overall, doesn't seem to be that complicated of a process. But, I'm a bit nervous about needing to cut the foam. Any suggestions other than scissors? 
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Assuming you filled out the order form? You may want try contacting him directly at the email address listed on the website. [email protected] or [email protected]
As well, he may be overwhelmed with orders since the word is out he has them in production again. Anyway, good luck.
I emailed Ellio last week to let him know that the mutes arrived ok and he mentioned that he's been getting a few orders each day so things have picked up. I can always PM you his email address if it helps.
[edit] Nevermind - looks like Bones beat me to it
Since I first got interested in these, I have transitioned from parallel fretted instruments (P5s, Roscoes) to fan fretted instruments (Dingwalls). I'm not sure if the bass mutes would be a good fit. Any thoughts from anyone who actually has seen or touched an actual production model?
The strings are still straight regardless of the fan frets, but the bridge is at an angle, correct? So, if you have enough room to mount the Bass-Mute just before your bridge it would be fine, but as you indicated, I don't think it would be a good fit for fan fretted basses. Basically, it was designed specifically for a straight edge bridge.
Well, I had time to install my Bass-Mute last night, sorry no pictures as of yet, our house has pour lighting when taking pictures. Anyway, the instructions are straight forward for the most part but I found it to be easier to disassemble the device and install the base plate first, then install the lever and each foam mute individually, that way I could cut the foam to length for each saddle. Also note, I had used a dremel sanding wheel to shave the foam down to my desired length. I'm sure there's still a better way to accomplish this task but I didn't like the fact of using scissors as the cutting surface was uneven and my OCD kicked in majorly! 
Thumper - I agree with Bones. It will work, but probably not as you intend. With a straight (non-angled) bridge, the foam touches each of the strings at the same point, so you get a relatively even muting effect. With an angled bridge, my concern would be that with the mutes contacting the strings at different points, you're more at risk of pushing the string out of tune than you would be otherwise.
Hell - email Ellio and see what he thinks....
Hell - email Ellio and see what he thinks....
