LITTLEWING Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) Our of curiosity and boredom, I cut a slice of foam off a new sponge (don't tell the Mrs) and fashioned a perfect section to fit nicely under the strings by the bridge on my four string Precision as a soft mute. Oh my goodness, I was in Tamla Motown heaven for hours on end. It just opens up a whole new world and adds a new feather to the cap. For the first few seconds it sounds kinda 'whoah' like a set of dead strings but suddenly 'that vibe' kicks in and you're off. Give it a bash, you can thank me later. Edited September 2, 2017 by LITTLEWING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 I really wasn't sure what I was clicking on when I quickly read the title as "The joy of a sponge bath". I've got a cheap precision with some grey packaging foam under the bridge cover and flats, I love playing first generation Ska with it, real old thump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) Great idea....You might want to think about selling some on eBay - oh no, somebody beat you to it... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mute-Aid-Bass-Guitar-Mute-Turn-your-Electric-Bass-into-a-Double-Bass-5-Pack-/222590591527?hash=item33d36ee227:g:ObQAAOSwX61ZC4CF Edited September 2, 2017 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1504354026' post='3364321'] Great idea....You might want to think about selling some on eBay - oh no, somebody beat you to it... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mute-Aid-Bass-Guitar-Mute-Turn-your-Electric-Bass-into-a-Double-Bass-5-Pack-/222590591527?hash=item33d36ee227:g:ObQAAOSwX61ZC4CF"]http://www.ebay.co.u...bQAAOSwX61ZC4CF[/url] [/quote] ....."long lasting specialized foam." Mmm....interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) [quote name='casapete' timestamp='1504357843' post='3364364'] ....."long lasting specialized foam." Mmm....interesting. [/quote] Yes, of course; that special blue sponge that's made exclusively for bass muting, optimised for its musical qualities. Edited September 2, 2017 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) My original 62 Precision came with flats and a foam strip factory fitted to the inside of the rear cover. If I remember rightly it looked like neoprene but I am not sure when that was invented! EDIT: Been suggested that Leo & Co used to nip across the street to the nearby Sears & Roebuck and buy rolls of their weather stripping! Could be an old wives tale though... Edited September 2, 2017 by ivansc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) I have quite a lot of black foam packaging which would be ideal for string mutes - unlikely I'll ever use it - anybody want it? Same as this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUITAR-BASS-PICKUP-HEIGHT-ADJUSTMENT-FOAM-SPONGES-X-2-H-8mm-X-W-15mm-X-L-45mm-/182704024989?hash=item2a8a022d9d:g:SJQAAOxyWmxSaDvF Edited September 3, 2017 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1504371336' post='3364469'] I have quite a lot of black foam packaging which would be ideal for string mutes - unlikely I'll ever use it - anybody want it? [/quote] Shame it's not blue; would have worked otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1504373709' post='3364502'] Shame it's not blue; would have worked otherwise. [/quote] I guess that's why they call it the blues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1504354026' post='3364321'] Great idea....You might want to think about selling some on eBay - oh no, somebody beat you to it... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mute-Aid-Bass-Guitar-Mute-Turn-your-Electric-Bass-into-a-Double-Bass-5-Pack-/222590591527?hash=item33d36ee227:g:ObQAAOSwX61ZC4CF"]http://www.ebay.co.u...bQAAOSwX61ZC4CF[/url] [/quote] curiously, can also be used to wash dishes lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1504389707' post='3364612'] I guess that's why they call it the blues? [/quote] What, "time after time"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) I didn't even bother to cut the one I used on a Stingray a few years back - it was one of those scourers with sponge one side and a thin scourer layer on the top - worked a treat stuffed between the pick up and bridge - and it was blue (rather than the yellow and green ones you often see on the supermarket shelves!!) - matched the colour of the bass.... Great for playing early Elvis stuff like My Baby Left Me and Blue Moon of Kentucky. Edited September 3, 2017 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1504480153' post='3365190'] I didn't even bother to cut the one I used on a Stingray a few years back - it was one of those scourers with sponge one side and a thin scourer layer on the top - worked a treat stuffed between the pick up and bridge - and it was blue (rather than the yellow and green ones you often see on the supermarket shelves!!) - matched the colour of the bass.... Great for playing early Elvis stuff like My Baby Left Me and Blue Moon of Kentucky. [/quote] I do the same with my precision, a dish sponge does the job perfectly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sponge-Wooden-Handle-Glitter-Application/dp/B00IJ7DE90?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-uk-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00IJ7DE90 With tremolo...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1504371336' post='3364469'] I have quite a lot of black foam packaging which would be ideal for string mutes - unlikely I'll ever use it - anybody want it? Same as this: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUITAR-BASS-PICKUP-HEIGHT-ADJUSTMENT-FOAM-SPONGES-X-2-H-8mm-X-W-15mm-X-L-45mm-/182704024989?hash=item2a8a022d9d:g:SJQAAOxyWmxSaDvF"]http://www.ebay.co.u...JQAAOxyWmxSaDvF[/url] [/quote] That's Bob, isn't it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.G.E.N.T.E. Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Gruvgear fump, high end bath sponge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 [quote name='LITTLEWING' timestamp='1504352432' post='3364303'] Our of curiosity and boredom, I cut a slice of foam off a new sponge (don't tell the Mrs) and fashioned a perfect section to fit nicely under the strings by the bridge on my four string Precision as a soft mute. Oh my goodness, I was in Tamla Motown heaven for hours on end. It just opens up a whole new world and adds a new feather to the cap. For the first few seconds it sounds kinda 'whoah' like a set of dead strings but suddenly 'that vibe' kicks in and you're off. Give it a bash, you can thank me later. [/quote] carol kaye invented this and has been doing it for over 40 years. (or so she says ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 [quote name='casapete' timestamp='1504357843' post='3364364'] ....."long lasting specialized foam." [/quote] Me wash you long time ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1504617709' post='3366090'] Me wash you long time ... [/quote] can we keep the comments clean please gents... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1504480153' post='3365190'] I didn't even bother to cut the one I used on a Stingray a few years back - it was one of those scourers with sponge one side and a thin scourer layer on the top - worked a treat stuffed between the pick up and bridge - and it was blue (rather than the yellow and green ones you often see on the supermarket shelves!!) [/quote] Yup, this is exactly what I did and works a bloody treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 My slice of inexpensive foam is yellow not blue, does that count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 [quote name='dyerseve' timestamp='1504618963' post='3366095'] can we keep the comments clean please gents... [/quote] [Imperceptible titter] I tried a Victoria sponge once under a bridge and got away with it. I am known locally as a jammy git though. I heard later that someone called Mary was on the lookout for me as she thinks she owes me a kick in the berries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 (edited) [quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1504685942' post='3366496'] [Imperceptible titter] I tried a Victoria sponge once under a bridge and got away with it. I am known locally as a jammy git though. I heard later that someone called Mary was on the lookout for me as she thinks she owes me a kick in the berries. [/quote] D'ough! I've seen some half-baked wordplay in my time, but that takes the biscuit. Edited September 6, 2017 by Funky Dunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fftc Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1504698680' post='3366648'] D'ough! I've seen some half-baked wordplay in my time, but that takes the biscuit. [/quote] Loaf? I nearly pied! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fftc Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 (edited) [quote name='jacko' timestamp='1504606662' post='3365974'] carol kaye invented this and has been doing it for over 40 years. (or so she says ) [/quote] I think Carol prefers a [url="https://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips51.htm"]felt mute[/url] on top of the strings rather than a foam one underneath. Edited September 6, 2017 by fftc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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