Naetharu Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Hi folks, Just seen a few bassists playing with a thick cloth band around the top of the neck and I'm curious as to what this is about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjhfh4PYFjs shows an example of what I mean. Cheers! James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Stops the ringing of open strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) My guess? It's either an attempt at dampening the open string to sound more like a fretted note, or to prevent the part of the string behind the fretted note from buzzing. Either way - bordering on the neurotic IMV Edited August 12, 2015 by SteveK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 You often see them on ERBs to stop the other strings ringing out... I've never really had an issue with this as I just mute the strings I'm not playing automatically with either my fretting or plucking hand, can't really see the point in them. Perhaps for basses with more than six strings this is more of an issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 been wondering that for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanx Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I had always assumed it was something to do with this... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handkerchief_code Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) It's a mute, mostly used on basses with 6 strings or more. It just cuts down on unwanted notes ringing out. It's especially useful if you're into tapping. You can buy them ready made by a company called Gruvgear. They concist of a pad with a wrap that attaches around the neck using Velcro. Edited August 12, 2015 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naetharu Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 Cheers folks, that's really interesting. Its one of those things that if I didnt ask about it I would be wondering forever more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 When I wear a cloth thing around the neck, I usually call it a scarf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 To hide lovebites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) The Gruvgear Fretwrap is to stop open strings ringing too much and it damps overtones, etc. I had one for a while but find it pretty useless as a mute because it only works on open strings. Once you've fretted a note it's out of the picture, obviously. You might suppose it would be useful for ERBs (as said above) as string muting is more difficult with these basses, but I'd say that development of the floating thumb method would be far preferable as it's effective on [i]all [/i]notes, fretted and otherwise. Pretty much a chocolate teapot as far as four-string basses are concerned. You could always use the tried and tested 'stick a bit of foam under the strings at the bridge', but you're committed to having the strings muted all the time unless you want to faff about in and out with the foam while you're playing. I'd say floating thumb if you're serious about your string damping and muting. But I prefer palm muting myself. Gruvgear also do a thing like a rubber flap which goes over and behind the strings at the bridge [i]à la[/i] foam rubber, but I've not heard anything good about it. As always, your mileage may vary. Edited August 12, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1439391605' post='2842422'] The Gruvgear Fretwrap is to stop open strings ringing too much and it damps overtones, etc. I had one for a while but find it pretty useless as a mute because it only works on open strings. Once you've fretted a note it's out of the picture, obviously. You might suppose it would be useful for ERBs (as said above) as string muting is more difficult with these basses, but I'd say that development of the floating thumb method would be far preferable as it's effective on [i]all [/i]notes, fretted and otherwise. Pretty much a chocolate teapot as far as four-string basses are concerned. You could always use the tried and tested 'stick a bit of foam under the strings at the bridge', but you're committed to having the strings muted all the time unless you want to faff about in and out with the foam while you're playing. I'd say floating thumb if you're serious about your string damping and muting. But I prefer palm muting myself. Gruvgear also do a thing like a rubber flap which goes over the strings at the bridge [i]à la[/i] foam rubber, but I've not heard anything good about it. As always, your mileage may vary. [/quote]. As you've said, I tried one briefly but found it a bit of a waste of time. I had to play a Stuart Hamm tapping piece for an exam at uni, that was the only time I found it useful. I use muting quite a lot, but find it betterer to use my left hand or right hand palm or forearm. Edited August 12, 2015 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Yep, here's the link: http://www.gruvgear.com/fretwraps I use one for slapping on a 5-string[i] (to help compensate for my poor technique ) [/i]but I know a few peeps who frequently use them during studio work. They're basically an upmarket version of the more traditional hair scrunchy, for bassists without ponytails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1439391954' post='2842430'] They're basically an upmarket version of the more traditional hair scrunchy, for bassists without ponytails. [/quote] You mean there are bassists [i]with [/i]ponytails..? Eurggh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 It's alright Mark, MacDaddy is about to get rid of his ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 The gentleman bass player eschews scrunchies in favour of a smart [i]foulard[/i] or - in extremis - a Tootal cravat in a fetching paisley pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I think they'd be useful if you're into slapping or two handed tapping because both those techniques make muting harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I used a scrunchy on my Bass when my old band played "All Right Now" (yeah, wanna make something of it..?) It helped to mute that cheeky open "A" during the solo bass lick. Worked a treat. I got four for a quid, too. The GruvGear ones have got the velcro fastener thingy, but they weigh in at slightly more than a quid. And you can't buy 'em from your local Superdrug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Riva Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) [quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1439400192' post='2842521'] The gentleman bass player eschews scrunchies in favour of a smart [i]foulard[/i] or - in extremis - a Tootal cravat in a fetching paisley pattern. [/quote] Tootal scarves are the best. I have a deep red one with blue paisley pattern, and a vibrant yellow one, again with blue paisley. Not silk, mind. Both vintage and made in England of a rayon mix. That said, they should be treated as silk when cleaning. Such a lot of things to consider for such a simple item. Dandy-tastic.. Edited August 12, 2015 by Old Man Riva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1439419851' post='2842820'] Tootal scarves are the best. I have a deep red one with blue paisley pattern, and a vibrant yellow one, again with blue paisley. Not silk, mind. Both vintage and made in England of a rayon mix. That said, they should be treated as silk when cleaning. Such a lot of things to consider for such a simple item. Dandy-tastic.. [/quote] An impressive assemblage. I possess a red Paisley Tootal cravat and a green Paisley Tootal scarf, both of which belonged to my grandfather. Though he was a factory worker he was also quite the dandy as a young man, sallying forth of a night in full evening dress and carrying a silver-topped cane. It was different back before the Great War... Edited August 13, 2015 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 [size=2]Here's Andrew Gouche with his fretwrap behind first fret. Six string bass, no floating thumb and it's just intended to clean things up. I find mine useful.[/size] [size=2] [/size] [size=2]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J5d5knOKjs[/size] [size=2] [/size] [size=2]Tobie[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 [quote name='tobiewharton' timestamp='1439553391' post='2843824'] [size=2]Here's Andrew Gouche with his fretwrap behind first fret. Six string bass, no floating thumb and it's just intended to clean things up. I find mine useful.[/size] [size=2] [/size] [size=2]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J5d5knOKjs[/size] [size=2] [/size] [size=2]Tobie[/size] [/quote] Nice, thanks for posting that. 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiewharton Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Glad you enjoyed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1439391605' post='2842422'] Gruvgear also do a thing like a rubber flap [/quote] Mmmmmmm rubber flaps, now that takes me back... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 [quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1439832847' post='2846117'] Mmmmmmm rubber flaps, now that takes me back... [/quote] You went out with Cher..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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