Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi, folks.
I'm sorry if this have been covered before - problem is I can't get the mute pad to reach the G-string on my '05 4003. Well, it can reach it, but then the D is "overmuted". I understand this is a common problem, that the mute pad don't mute the strings evenly. But what's the solution?

Thanks!

Maybe you need to change the foam rubber on the mute bar. You can by a new piece from RIC of you can go to a hardware store and buy a roll of foam rubber.

Well, it's only three or so years old..

bend the metal bar that the mute pad sits on

or just put a bad *** bridge on it so it can be palm muted

I recently messed with the mute on one of my basses, and found that in addition to the curvature of the mute plate, the pad is a bit longer than the aperature that it comes up through. You might want to trim off the ends a bit to allow it to better touch the E and G strings.

bassduke49 wrote:I recently messed with the mute on one of my basses, and found that in addition to the curvature of the mute plate, the pad is a bit longer than the aperature that it comes up through. You might want to trim off the ends a bit to allow it to better touch the E and G strings.

+1

it is not exactly a precision device. A little bending and trimming are usually in order on many of them.

Also check your strings for uneven height. Sometimes you'll find that the string saddles haven't been filed evenly. If they are uneven, use a triangular file to make them even.

jwr2 wrote:or just put a bad *** bridge on it so it can be palm muted

I LIKE the mechanical mute. I don't play with a pick. If I want a muted sound, I have no other way to mute than the mechanical mute. I can usually get them to work, and when they work, I think they do a good job.

I know Jeff Rath hates the mechanical mute, and most of the time I agree with him...but I just thought I'd put out a rare positive comment about it.

I LIKE the mute, I LIKE the big clunky tail piece, and I can usually get the bridge/saddles to work well too. They obviously aren't as convenient to intonate and adjust as some of the other bridges on the market, but they are a part of what is so damn cool about my Ricks and a part of why they sound so damn good as well.

LONG LIVE THE MECHANICAL MUTE!!!!

You can palm mute and play finger style.

And I was joking about the badass bridge.

Maybe you can palm mute and play finger style. I haven't had much luck at it. Maybe my hands are too small or don't bend the right way. I could kinda thumb my notes while I palm mute, but the best option I've found so far is the mechanical mute.

rickaddict wrote:Maybe you can palm mute and play finger style. I haven't had much luck at it. Maybe my hands are too small or don't bend the right way. I could kinda thumb my notes while I palm mute, but the best option I've found so far is the mechanical mute.

Check out some of the recent video interviews by Geddy. He demonstrates finger playing and palm muting.

rickaddict wrote: I LIKE the mechanical mute. I don't play with a pick. If I want a muted sound, I have no other way to mute than the mechanical mute. I can usually get them to work, and when they work, I think they do a good job.

I know Jeff Rath hates the mechanical mute, and most of the time I agree with him...but I just thought I'd put out a rare positive comment about it.

I LIKE the mute, I LIKE the big clunky tail piece, and I can usually get the bridge/saddles to work well too. They obviously aren't as convenient to intonate and adjust as some of the other bridges on the market, but they are a part of what is so damn cool about my Ricks and a part of why they sound so damn good as well.

LONG LIVE THE MECHANICAL MUTE!!!!

+1

Jeff, per chance, would you have a link to those interviews?
"Check out some of the recent video interviews by Geddy. He demonstrates finger playing and palm muting."

This is it ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjhiv0Mx ... re=related