Calv - Posted - 10/28/2011:  14:45:28

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a mute for when my banjo arrives (GoldTone BG150F), my neighbours won't hear too much but i have two daughters who will be in bed when i do most of my playing.

In my limited search around the videos on Youtube, it would appear that Mike's banjo mute is very good at reducing much of the volume without sacrificing sound quality, however at almost £40 here in the UK, it's certainly not as cheap as expected.

Is it a case of you get what you pay for when it comes to mutes, or are there cheaper ones that are as good as Mikes? I heard lots of good things about the GoldTone mute, but after watching a demo on Youtube, i don't think it dampens the sound much at all.

Any advice much appreciated.

Calv.

scooter46 - Posted - 10/28/2011:  15:11:28

calv, why not make your own try different material under the strings and do a search here on the hangout under homemade mutes lots of ideas there. I'm using the ultimate banjo mute right now it works good. Larry

WildmanJac - Posted - 10/28/2011:  15:17:56

Calv,
If you're strapped for money, you could open the back of your banjo and place a folded towel inbetween the banjo head and the resonator. it will definitely mute the sound of your axe..
Good luck in your search,
WildmanJac

tom balcom - Posted - 10/28/2011:  15:24:17

I made a mute using a piece of 1/2" rubber floor mat. I notched it to fit over the bridge and strings.

It makes my banjo sound more like a guitar which my wife likes.

johnahunter - Posted - 10/28/2011:  15:34:56

Calv - I use a Gold Tone mute and in my experience, it reduces the volume significantly.  However, whether it reduces it enough for your purposes only you can tell but, at $14.00, it's a low risk investment.  It does change the overall sound of the instrument and because of the lower volume levels, pick noise is more apparent.  

John H.

rtyrie - Posted - 10/28/2011:  16:20:54

My wife recommends using the J Henry mute often. I ignore her.

Calv - Posted - 10/28/2011:  16:48:29

quote:

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Originally posted by rtyrie

My wife recommends using the J Henry mute often. I ignore her.

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 Lol thats funny....thanks for the advice everyone, i don't mind spending the money on the £40 one, but only if i have to. I'll see how loud it is first, may be ok to go without a mute.

Calv.

Joe Brown - Posted - 10/28/2011:  17:24:01

I just made my own. The metal strap is from a U-bolt. I used my dremmel to grind the clothespins narrower, so they will fit between the strings.

banjo mute

mute parts

Jim Yates - Posted - 10/28/2011:  18:19:10

banjohangout.org/topic/206268

Check out this thread for some more ideas.

7M4 - Posted - 10/28/2011:  18:25:59

I have my Mikes mute on right now as a matter of fact.  The kids are sleeping upstairs and I live in a condo.  It is awesome for reducing the sound.  I used to have a Gold Tone mute, but it always moved my bridge when putting it on/off.  I love my Mikes.  Definitely worth the money.

Edited by - 7M4 on 10/28/2011 18:28:54

Fathand - Posted - 10/28/2011:  19:13:31

The Gold Tone works well and is out of the way and somewhat inexpensive

kirbonite - Posted - 10/28/2011:  20:51:26

I use the tone enhancer from stewmac.com

nice thing about it.. is you just slide it down when you want to play loud. that is.. If you are set on purchasing something.

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 10/28/2011:  20:58:41

Friend, I've got a mute that fits over the bridge, made by Deering. It not only softens the banjo a great deal, but creates more sustain and a gentler tone, different from the harsher tones of a un-plugged banjo .

Give my ad a look: banjohangout.org/classified/24411 

Jim Yates - Posted - 10/28/2011:  21:28:34

electrical alligator clips -

Budget banjo mutes

cockneybanjo - Posted - 10/29/2011:  00:49:33

I have a Fielding-Cutler mute, essentially a previous version of the Mike's Mutes one. It works very well, cutting the sound right down at the expense of a considerable loss of tone. However it's a simple piece of kit and something to do the same job ( basically adding a weight to the bridge ) could be made quite easily by anyone with a little patience and simple tools.

I have another mute of unknown origin consisting of two steel bars with a rubber backing, secured by thumbscrews at either end, which clamps across the strings in front of the bridge. Again, very effective and easily made if you can't find one.

For UK buyers this looks worth a punt  djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=2078  very cheap and looks heavy enough to do some good.

My view of the Gold Tone mute is that it is a mute, in the sense that a horn player puts his arm into the bell or a trumpet player uses a mute. It doesn't silence the instrument to any great extent, certainly not enough to play while the kids are sleeping in the next room. However it does give a good tine, so you can hear what you are playing much more clearly.

Bear in mind also that slip-on mutes of the Gold Tone type can't be used with curved or staggered bridges or the Shubb or Moon compensated types.

I've tried elastic capos around the bridge, which is a good way to disturb the bridge and not that effective as a silencer.

Dr.Ken - Posted - 10/29/2011:  01:50:44

I'm not sure if Kirbonite is referring to this:
banjohangout.org/classified/18346

But I've got one and they are great. The best part is as you slide it towards the bridge you can vary the tone and increase the sustain, so you can get some nice effects with it, Like this
banjohangout.org/myhangout/mus...p?id=3623

Plus it would be relatively easy to make your own, at least if you can borrow a drill and tap threads into 2 holes.

Good luck!

Tim13 - Posted - 10/29/2011:  05:32:54

Joe,

What a great idea!  I currently use a Gold Tone brass mute, and sometimes roll up a piece of cloth and put it under the strings next to the bridge for added reduction.  Your's is a simple idea, and I can't wait to try it.

kirbonite - Posted - 10/29/2011:  06:00:29

banjodr.com/wrightmute.html

they sell these at stewmac but it's hard to find on their website.  Apologies if I've reproduced a link.  You must use the link icon to get links to work in the mac

Safari browser.

they are MUCH cheaper at stewmac.  abotu $11.00  if I remember correctly

Edited by - kirbonite on 10/29/2011 06:01:48

cockneybanjo - Posted - 10/29/2011:  10:19:22

quote:

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Originally posted by kirbonite

banjodr.com/wrightmute.html

 

they sell these at stewmac but it's hard to find on their website.  Apologies if I've reproduced a link.  You must use the link icon to get links to work in the mac

Safari browser.

 

they are MUCH cheaper at stewmac.  abotu $11.00  if I remember correctly

---

 That's not quite the same but the sort of thing I was trying to describe

Calv - Posted - 11/01/2011:  05:36:20

Thank you ever so much for the suggestions everyone, i bit the bullet and went for a Mike's in the end, will be only £22 if i don't get hit for import tax, however i will try out a few of the other ideas here too.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim Yates

electrical alligator clips -

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 H Jim, very interested in how much sound reduction you get out of these, such a simple idea and i have tons of these in the shed. :)

Calv.

bobb62 - Posted - 11/02/2011:  04:48:08

I tried a couple of different ones. The Mike's Mute is by far my favorite. It gives the most sound reduction of the ones I tried, it stays in place better, and it has a lower profile to not force you to change your hand position while practising with the mute.

Just my 2 cents thrown in.

It does add to the sustain a little bit. Amost makes the banjo sound like a very softly played banjola.

Calv - Posted - 11/11/2011:  04:07:22

Thanks for that info bobb.....they certainly have got great reviews.

Well my Mike's Mute arrived today, and i must day that if it works as well as it looks, and as well as the customer service Mike has shown, i know i'll be happy.

Will have to wait till i get a banjo of course before i can try it lol....but all good things to those who wait as they say.

Calv.