Question Anyone use their mutes

[drTStingray]

I recently started experimenting with the mutes on my Classic Ray (see picture below) - I played at a couple of jam sessions with the mutes wound firmly against the strings and was amazed at the sound, especially high up the fretboard. No sound sample I'm afraid but the best description I could give is the bass sound at the start of Red Baron (Marcus Miller version on the album M2) - but across the whole fretboard. Another example are Bernard Edwards' popped notes on We Are Family - Sister Sledge.

I could imagine using this sound in specific situations, and the mutes seem to create a whole new palate of sounds. Does anyone else use them, and how do you find the sound?

I played a pub gig last night with a party band with songs ranging from James Brown through to Deep Purple and AC/DC - and even Aeroplane by RHCP - I did not use the mutes for any of the gig but the sound of the Classic Ray doesn't fail to make me smile. I've attached another pic showing the Ray ready for action

 

[JayDawg]

I just got my Classic in July but I have not experimented with the mutes yet. I will later on down the road but in all honesty, I love the tone and sound that that bass puts out without them so as a result, I really haven't been to motivated to experiment yet.

 

[Hellboy]

I don´t know if I really would call it a "aftermarket mute" but.....

I love muted strings. Takes too much time to fumble about trying to put foam under the strings during concerts thou so I´ve rigged one of my Stingrays more or less permanently like this. Took awhile to figure out what type of foam and how much that works best. Too much/wrong type will screw up the intonation. No good. Works great now. Sounds wonderful. I´m happy.

Sincerely//Jan

 

[drTStingray]

Love the trans orange SR, Hellboy - I've also had the same experience taking a simple foam rubber pad on and off during performance - sooner or later a song starts without you so you really need a bass with it set permanently for live use.

Looking at the poll, mutes look quite popular as an extra feature - having experimented with muting before, I really am surprised at the variation in sound which can be achieved with the Classic SR bridge mutes - winding them on tightly produces a very interesting sound (I think it reduces the volume also?)