Palm damping on a V63...?

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sat May 21, 2005 3:20 am

Most of my bass playing is finger style, but on a few numbers of our set I use a pick. This is no problem with my V63, in fact is sounds just great.

On two of the numbers, one of them is our only cover, it’s 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson, I use my palm to dampen the string near the bridge.

For at least these two numbers I have to switch to either my Fender J or Musicman Stingray.

Has anyone got a technique for damping the strings with ones palm on a Ric shod with ‘shoes?

I can’t use the inbuilt damper as the technique is only used for part of the song. Any ideas…?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat May 21, 2005 4:39 am

yep ... I use a dremmel tool to remove the metal that gets in the way ... that is my big gripe against the mechanical mute ... it makes palm muting next to impossible ... I will post some pics later ...

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat May 21, 2005 5:44 am

Or this:

No drilling required!

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sat May 21, 2005 8:42 am

Gosh this all looks fairly drastic! I thought that I could palm damp my 4001 & just gave it a try. Nope... at least it is very tricky & inconsistant.

The reason I mentioned the V63 is that the horse shoe gets in the way, let alone the tricky bit with the palm....

back to the F****r & MM I guess....

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:34 am

I think it would be impossible with a horseshoe there, there's barely enogh room to get your fingers in there never mind a pick and a palm, get a 4003. I palm muted with them (4003's) although I wouldn't be able to do it all night unless I wore the bass up around my chin.

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Sat May 21, 2005 2:23 pm

Hey Jeffrey, pardon my ignorance, but what is that bridge on your bass... and where can I get one to fit on my 4003?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat May 21, 2005 2:35 pm

That is a Hipshot bridge that drops right in without drilling any new holes. You can get one from Hipshot or Guitar Parts Resource.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sat May 21, 2005 2:35 pm

I'm contemplating the same bridge, Dan...it's a Hipshot bridge made for Ricks....no modifications necessary as Jeff has said. Here's a link:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_hipshot.htm

I use Pyramid flats on my 4003 and worry about the tension it causes. If the bridge starts to lift then I will get one. I might anyway because I think it looks cool and it's reversible.

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Sat May 21, 2005 2:41 pm

Thanks guys... it seems that it will fit my way of playing better and I will be more comfortable to damp my strings with it. I think it's brilliant!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun May 22, 2005 3:30 am

Im seriously considering the Hipshot for my fireglo 4003. What is your review on them Jeffery? Do you notice any real tonal differences?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun May 22, 2005 6:25 am

If I played a 4 string Ric bass I would definately buy one of those ... I am thinking of getting one and making a 5 string version ...

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sun May 22, 2005 7:41 am

Bob, I've only ever played 4001's or my V63. Does the 4003 have a diferent bridge to the 4001 ?

I guess with horseys, palm damping is a non starter...?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun May 22, 2005 8:39 am

Im seriously considering the Hipshot for my fireglo 4003. What is your review on them Jeffery? Do you notice any real tonal differences?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun May 22, 2005 2:29 pm

I haven't noticed any discernable differences, but mine is on a fretless bass, so consider that in my assessment. If there is any real change in tone, I can't imagine it would be for the worse, though. My 4004Cii has one of the best sounds Rickwise I have heard and it has a Hipshot bridge on it, maybe it is the toasters that make the sound more so than the bridge!

John Hall has mentioned in the past of a bridge design he has come up with but as of yet, no word on any production of it or pics for that matter. I really would like to see a RIC product on my basses, but at least the Hipshot is a quality product that is well designed and made in the USA.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed May 25, 2005 6:33 pm

here's how I can palm mute ... with the help of a dremmel tool ...