dannybuoy Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I've tried a few things to create a foam mute for my P-Bass in the past, but have recently ordered a couple of odd looking objects from eBay as experiments! Hair Bun Maker: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230729571087"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230729571087[/url] I just received this one today and it works a treat! The foam just fits under the bridge barely touching the strings, but since it has a metal strip running through it, it's easy to bend it into a slight arc to get just the right pressure under each string. I also ordered one of these aquarium filters: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170811180838"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170811180838[/url] Judging by eye, the 20mm pipe diameter looks roughly the same as the distance between the ribs of the sponge cylinder, which is roughly that of the string spacing at the bridge. I'll cut it into segments and see how I get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I used a piece of foam pipe insulation on my Hofner BeatleBass and it worked a treat. It cost pennies, was easy to cut with a Stanley knife and sits nicely against the bridge. Get thee to B and Q!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Dannybuoy, you need to move to Ipswich - this place is just down the road : http://foamshop.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guyl Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I had a nightmare with double bass feedback on a function gig once. Grabbed the nearest thing to hand which was a pink linen napkin, and stuffed it between the strings. It resolved the problem and I accidentally discovered a great new sound from my bass. Odd thing was that other napkins, dishcloths, towels etc never sounded as good. That aquarium filter might turn out to be amazing! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I have used a piece of Butyl pond liner, actually a sample piece (sent out free by manufacturers for the asking) rolled up like a cigar or sausage to fit under the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I'm still gutted about the loss of an entirely innocuous piece of 6cmx1cmx1cm hard foam at a gig last year. It was the only foam that ever truly did the job. I occasionally go back to the venue in the feint hope........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 I spent a quiet day one Xmas messing around with bits of foam, etc. and my preference was for a bit of rolled up kitchen towel (can't remember which brand, but probably Tesco's own ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefBclef Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Yes kitchen paper worked well for me, and it has the plus points of being super cheap and available. You can roll it up to the exact size you require so customisable to suit your bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefBclef Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I went round to my mates house the other week. He is a guitarist but he has a decent P bass copy lying around and it gets some love from me when I go round. I play reggae, and I like the motown sound, and so I like the muted sound. The strings on my bass are about 7 years old and I love the tone I get from them. Anyway, you can imagine how I felt when my mate turned to me and said "Hey, I've got a surprise for you, I changed the strings on the bass!". So I was presented with the P with brand spaking new, ultra twangy, light guage strings...BLAAAAHH! My friend did make up for it by then making a mute out of a washing up foam sponge. This was one of those smaller ones that you get when you buy cheap packs of ten, and he ripped off the green tough layer and just cut the sponge in half. Fit absolutely perfectly and did a very good job sonically too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted May 28, 2012 Author Share Posted May 28, 2012 (edited) It's good enough for Alabama Shakes! I have found that a very light piece of foam that does almost nothing down by the bridge sounds very good when moving it up towards the pickup. Still searching for the perfect mute that mutes evenly across the uneven string heights. Might have to get a Bassmute after all. Edited May 28, 2012 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 I use a foam insert from a cycling helmet. Adjustable from max damping (the treated side) to not max damping (the foamy side). Stuff it up the ashtray under the strings and bingo, instant perfection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 How did you get on with the Aquarium filters, did they work out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Sponge Scourer. (not a whole one of course, just a strip) Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apa Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160704-accessorise-your-eub-with-this-seasons-must-have-string-damper/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160704-accessorise-your-eub-with-this-seasons-must-have-string-damper/page__fromsearch__1[/url] A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Leo designed mine, fully adjustable damping and independent from string to string, good old Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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