I had to put seriously in the title as I'm sure I'll get some of the usual suggestions....haha
If anyone is looking for a cheap and effective banjo mute, I've tried a number that can be bought such as the Goldtone or Cutter, but the best is one I made myself as follows.
I had an old cheap tuning fork which I'd had for many years and line the inside of the fork with stick on velcro (the wooly side). You can slide it under the strings across the bridge, and the fact that the prongs are pretty solid metal (not the light stuff that the Goldtone is made of) has the effect of absorbing almost all vibrations through the bridge. It also seems just the width for most bridges.
It doesn't get in the way like the Cutter, and about all you hear are the strings themselves. Hope this maybe useful for someone out there.
Ok people now let's have your suggestions.................(hides banjo lest it be permanently muted hee hee)
My Paramount actually has an OEM mute (gosh, how geeky does THAT make me sound? ). It is mounted on the dowel, and pulling a lever that sticks out on the bottom pulls felt covered pads up underneath the bridge. If you pull the lever too far, it pushes up too hard, makes the banjo play sharp, and it sounds like some ancient chinese instrument or something. But you can pull it up to where it just barely touches the underside of the head, and it is quite effective as a mute.
My Orpheum actually had a similar contraption that wasn't original. But it was a "Mu-Tremola" lever that would give you a weird wah wah effect as you rotated the banjo on your lap. Needless to say, I pulled that off and sold it on eBay (see my IAS thread, if you're wondering why)
A tip for a banjo mute (seriously)...
A tip for a banjo mute (seriously)...
I had to put seriously in the title as I'm sure I'll get some of the usual suggestions....haha
If anyone is looking for a cheap and effective banjo mute, I've tried a number that can be bought such as the Goldtone or Cutter, but the best is one I made myself as follows.
I had an old cheap tuning fork which I'd had for many years and line the inside of the fork with stick on velcro (the wooly side). You can slide it under the strings across the bridge, and the fact that the prongs are pretty solid metal (not the light stuff that the Goldtone is made of) has the effect of absorbing almost all vibrations through the bridge. It also seems just the width for most bridges.
It doesn't get in the way like the Cutter, and about all you hear are the strings themselves. Hope this maybe useful for someone out there.
Ok people now let's have your suggestions.................(hides banjo lest it be permanently muted hee hee)
# Posted on September 27th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: A tip for a banjo mute (seriously)...
i usually take off the resonator and stuff an old tshirt in the back, between the skin and rod.
# Posted on September 27th 2007 by DubChieftain
Re: A tip for a banjo mute (seriously)...
Just rest the heel of your hand on the bridge if you want to practice quietly. It isn't neccessary it play a banjo loudly.
- Chris
# Posted on September 27th 2007 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: A tip for a banjo mute (seriously)...
Put a sock in it?
# Posted on September 27th 2007 by showaddydadito
Re: A tip for a banjo mute (seriously)...
lol showaddydadito
). It is mounted on the dowel, and pulling a lever that sticks out on the bottom pulls felt covered pads up underneath the bridge. If you pull the lever too far, it pushes up too hard, makes the banjo play sharp, and it sounds like some ancient chinese instrument or something. But you can pull it up to where it just barely touches the underside of the head, and it is quite effective as a mute.
My Paramount actually has an OEM mute (gosh, how geeky does THAT make me sound?
My Orpheum actually had a similar contraption that wasn't original. But it was a "Mu-Tremola" lever that would give you a weird wah wah effect as you rotated the banjo on your lap. Needless to say, I pulled that off and sold it on eBay (see my IAS thread, if you're wondering why)
Pete
# Posted on September 27th 2007 by Reverend
Re: A tip for a banjo mute (seriously)...
eBay never ceases to amaze me.
# Posted on September 28th 2007 by John Galt