I guess most of you will probably tell me to stick it in a bucket but seriously, I really need a decent tenor banjo mute. I purchased the Fielding-Cutter mute, but I'm not happy with it as it tends to interfere with the right hand.
Has anyone tried the Gold Tone one that slides across the bridge under the strings. http://www.goldtone.com/products/acc/banjo-mute.asp
I'm thinking of buying this one, or any recommendations would be welcome.
Also anyone know where to buy one in the UK, have searched both US and UK sites and Goldtone do not ship to uk. Maybe I've missed one, can anybody help please?
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Put a sock in it. Literally - take off the back and wedge a sock underneath the skin.
or ...
For years I had a cunning arrangement using a rolled-up baby's bib wedged under the banjo head, then put the resonator back on with the strings poking out either side. Pull one string - wedged the bib under the head and dampened the banjo. Pull the other one ( ) and it went back to full volume.
Looked funny but it worked and kept the domestic peace
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Thanks for the tips, it does have a resonator and I've removed that with the usual reduction in volume. But I will try the sock routine and see what that brings . Cheers
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Nice technique tctelboy... make an ironic comment about muting banjos in the original posting, thereby denying this little pleasure to all denigrators of the instrument that might be lurking out there.
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I've not used the gold tone mute, but it is a clever adaptation of the clothspin (I usually use two clothspins, one on each side) on the bridge trick. It looks fairly easy to make if you have a little brass and some velcro around.
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I went out to the workshop to see how hard it is to make a mute, and it is not very hard.
I cut a 5/8" dowel to about three-four inches, flattened two sides 180 degrees from each other, and cut a slot in the dowel leaving about 3/4" at the end. The slot is wider than the bridge. I them went to my belt sander and ground down the closed end of the dowel so it would not cut into my hand. I smoothed everything out with sandpaper.
The next step was to get some sef-adhesive velcro strips and cut very small pieces of the wooly side and stick them on the inside of the slot on one side. This allows the the slot to be wider than the bridge but still snuggly fit on the bridge. I put the mute on the side of the bridge towards me. My hand rests on the mute but is comfortable because I ground it down to fit.
The mute works fine and the longer the mute, the more it mutes. Total cost very little and I have enough Velcro for a lot of mutes.
I will put a picture of the mute on my web site soon.
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Thanks for the info Mike, I might well try your idea with the dowel and velcro sounds good to me. The only thing that bothers me is the fact that these things often interfere with free hand movement and it's just annoying. Still will see what I can construct.
By the way Mike, I really appreciated your site with the lessons etc. it got me off to a great start and I'll certainly recommend it. Will be contacting you a bit later re bridges, as I'm sure the sound of my tenor could benefit.
"Nice technique tctelboy..." de Selby..... Had to get that one in first after having read reams of bulls##t in the discussion when I joined a short while ago. I reckon if a great instrument like the tenor banjo was good enough for Barney McKenna, then it'll do just fine for me. (that should start somethingwith the Phillistines mentioned by Mike eh!)
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
The Fielding Cutler works OK on my mandolin banjo but the spacing of the prongs is wrong for my four string banjo bridge. It could work with different bridge legs/string positions.
Rick Fielding's widow runs the web site and says she has had the four string prototype mute made but it's not yet in production.
Thanks for the photos Mike, what are the black things that look like washers between your banjo strings called and what do they do?
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Those little black things are small self adhesive wooly sides of velcro that I cut from the big piece of self adhesive velcro. They are placed on one side of the mute and hold the device on the bridge without being too tight (which would move the bridge when you remove it or put it on) and keeps it from rattling as you play. You could take a clothespin and do the same thing with the velcro. The wooly side will not scratch the bridge either.
I use a 1/4" X 1/8" strip and put three of them in spaced out. You don't need any more than that. Otherwise you would have to precisely fit the mute to each bridge which would defeat the idea of a universal mute.
Vin Mondello told me that Iucci made the first of the clothespin type mutes decades ago.
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Those are grommets that I get from Radio Shack (they have a selection of grommets for only a few bucks) and I put them inbetween the strings to help control overtones. This is an old mandolin trick. You can also put them above the nut if there are problems. I slide them up with the mute on to change the tone.
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
the is a rather belated reply , but ive just tried this and it works very well
i took a bone blank for a guitar nut. bought it ages ago, never used it.
ie, its a flat piece of bone, about 45 mm x 10mm x 4mm - about the size and height of my banjo bridge.
i spent 2 minutes cutting string slots in it with the file on my penknife, slid it under the strings next to the bridge, and remove the bridge.
doesnt get in the way, banjo still has plenty sustain and is quieter.
its not really a mute, its a practice bridge, but it was the same effect.
i get a lot of level drop, and the banjo still sounds fine.
for the techheads amongst you...
I get 9 dB reduction in level with this.
Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I guess most of you will probably tell me to stick it in a bucket but seriously, I really need a decent tenor banjo mute. I purchased the Fielding-Cutter mute, but I'm not happy with it as it tends to interfere with the right hand.
Has anyone tried the Gold Tone one that slides across the bridge under the strings.
http://www.goldtone.com/products/acc/banjo-mute.asp
I'm thinking of buying this one, or any recommendations would be welcome.
Also anyone know where to buy one in the UK, have searched both US and UK sites and Goldtone do not ship to uk. Maybe I've missed one, can anybody help please?
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Is it an open-back or does it have a resonator?
Try taking off the resonator if it is not an open-back. That will reduce the volume signficially.
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by TheBloodyIrish
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Put a sock in it. Literally - take off the back and wedge a sock underneath the skin.
or ...
For years I had a cunning arrangement using a rolled-up baby's bib wedged under the banjo head, then put the resonator back on with the strings poking out either side. Pull one string - wedged the bib under the head and dampened the banjo. Pull the other one (
) and it went back to full volume.
Looked funny but it worked and kept the domestic peace
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by Bren
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Thanks for the tips, it does have a resonator and I've removed that with the usual reduction in volume. But I will try the sock routine and see what that brings . Cheers
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I use a Elton bridge mute and it works fine,it's the one thats fits on top of the bridge.
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by mick_the_tool
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Nice technique tctelboy... make an ironic comment about muting banjos in the original posting, thereby denying this little pleasure to all denigrators of the instrument that might be lurking out there.
Bodhran players take note!
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by de Selby
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
A sock or a t-shirt is just the thing. Just take your time experimenting with tension and location until you get it just right. Here's a laugh . . .
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TMUTE-CRAN-XL.htm
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by snapper
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I've not used the gold tone mute, but it is a clever adaptation of the clothspin (I usually use two clothspins, one on each side) on the bridge trick. It looks fairly easy to make if you have a little brass and some velcro around.
There is a nice discussion of banjo mutes on the banjohangout: http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=58232)
Other mutes include the Richelieu Master Mute (http://www.banjos.com/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?category=MasterMute) the rubber banjo mute (http://www.banjo.com/Shopping/shopexd.asp?id=613) and the KBH banjo mute (http://www.banjo.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=266) the latter two of which interfere with your hand.
The silent banjo system (http://www.silentbanjo.com/) is popular amongst the Phillistines that mock the banjo.
Try the clothespin solution, it won't cost anything and if it does not work, you can buy the Gold Tone from Elderly for $18.
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
http://www.banjosessions.com
http://www.mandolinsessions.com
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I went out to the workshop to see how hard it is to make a mute, and it is not very hard.
I cut a 5/8" dowel to about three-four inches, flattened two sides 180 degrees from each other, and cut a slot in the dowel leaving about 3/4" at the end. The slot is wider than the bridge. I them went to my belt sander and ground down the closed end of the dowel so it would not cut into my hand. I smoothed everything out with sandpaper.
The next step was to get some sef-adhesive velcro strips and cut very small pieces of the wooly side and stick them on the inside of the slot on one side. This allows the the slot to be wider than the bridge but still snuggly fit on the bridge. I put the mute on the side of the bridge towards me. My hand rests on the mute but is comfortable because I ground it down to fit.
The mute works fine and the longer the mute, the more it mutes. Total cost very little and I have enough Velcro for a lot of mutes.
I will put a picture of the mute on my web site soon.
MIke Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on April 14th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Thanks for the info Mike, I might well try your idea with the dowel and velcro sounds good to me. The only thing that bothers me is the fact that these things often interfere with free hand movement and it's just annoying. Still will see what I can construct.
By the way Mike, I really appreciated your site with the lessons etc. it got me off to a great start and I'll certainly recommend it. Will be contacting you a bit later re bridges, as I'm sure the sound of my tenor could benefit.
"Nice technique tctelboy..." de Selby..... Had to get that one in first after having read reams of bulls##t in the discussion when I joined a short while ago. I reckon if a great instrument like the tenor banjo was good enough for Barney McKenna, then it'll do just fine for me. (that should start somethingwith the Phillistines mentioned by Mike eh!)
Thanks to all for the tips.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
By the way, snapper...."Here's a laugh . . ." great T-shirt, an idea might be to create a whole set! (not sure if you can get a box mute tho')
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I have the mute on my site now http://www.mikekeyes.com/banjomute
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
The Fielding Cutler works OK on my mandolin banjo but the spacing of the prongs is wrong for my four string banjo bridge. It could work with different bridge legs/string positions.
Rick Fielding's widow runs the web site and says she has had the four string prototype mute made but it's not yet in production.
Thanks for the photos Mike, what are the black things that look like washers between your banjo strings called and what do they do?
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by Lurcherjohn
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Those little black things are small self adhesive wooly sides of velcro that I cut from the big piece of self adhesive velcro. They are placed on one side of the mute and hold the device on the bridge without being too tight (which would move the bridge when you remove it or put it on) and keeps it from rattling as you play. You could take a clothespin and do the same thing with the velcro. The wooly side will not scratch the bridge either.
I use a 1/4" X 1/8" strip and put three of them in spaced out. You don't need any more than that. Otherwise you would have to precisely fit the mute to each bridge which would defeat the idea of a universal mute.
Vin Mondello told me that Iucci made the first of the clothespin type mutes decades ago.
BTW, Gil O'Gawa, a well known tenor banjo player and the Ome rep, sells cello mutes (look here: http://www.free-scores.com/boutique/accessories_681_shop_301.htm) for banjos. I like the wire kind and may get one.
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I think he means the grommets.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by Tigermoth
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
I just stuff a handkerchief under the strings.Works fine.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by dafydd
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Those are grommets that I get from Radio Shack (they have a selection of grommets for only a few bucks) and I put them inbetween the strings to help control overtones. This is an old mandolin trick. You can also put them above the nut if there are problems. I slide them up with the mute on to change the tone.
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
Thanks Tigermoth and Mike.
# Posted on April 16th 2007 by Lurcherjohn
Re: Really need a decent banjo mute -- anybody help?
the is a rather belated reply , but ive just tried this and it works very well
i took a bone blank for a guitar nut. bought it ages ago, never used it.
ie, its a flat piece of bone, about 45 mm x 10mm x 4mm - about the size and height of my banjo bridge.
i spent 2 minutes cutting string slots in it with the file on my penknife, slid it under the strings next to the bridge, and remove the bridge.
doesnt get in the way, banjo still has plenty sustain and is quieter.
its not really a mute, its a practice bridge, but it was the same effect.
i get a lot of level drop, and the banjo still sounds fine.
for the techheads amongst you...
I get 9 dB reduction in level with this.
# Posted on August 19th 2008 by the_spelched_briar