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My banjo mute arrived today. I highly recommend Mike's Banjo Mute. It's a breeze to fit and significantly reduced the volume. I tried a slide-on brass mute previously and it didn't do the trick, was too loose on the bridge and the lining came off the brass when I tried to adjust it. Give Mike's Banjo Mute a go if you are after a high quality mute, you won't regret it!
Available online at: mikesbanjomute.com
Edited by - Bombom1 on 02/05/2025 03:09:41
Instant, acceptable quiet -- absolutely. Convenient -- absolutely. I'm a big fan.
Pleasant sound -- certainly, but is that what you want? If you don't want the dramatically extended sustain and lowered timber, a different strategy is warranted. Mike's seems to be the finest of inertial mutes, i.e., adding substantial weight to the bridge. If want quieter without changing all of the banjo character, direct damping of the strings is worth a try. I was surprised by the suggestion to do it on the playing side, right next to the bridge. It doesn't matter what you use. I first learned to use foam rubber, as shown in the photo. However, someone countered with, "just use paper towel or toilet paper!" You make a roll that fits under the strings next to the bridge and keep adjusting the fatness until you're happy with the loudness reduction.
quote:this would have more meaning to it if you explained what kind of banjo you have.
I have several mutes that work well on my open backs that do not work so well on my one rb. One of those mutes is wonderful on my big tubaphone open backs but shuts out all the sound on my Fairbanks electric,
Thanks
Originally posted by Bombom1My banjo mute arrived today. I highly recommend Mike's Banjo Mute. It's a breeze to fit and significantly reduced the volume. I tried a slide-on brass mute previously and it didn't do the trick, was too loose on the bridge and the lining came off the brass when I tried to adjust it. Give Mike's Banjo Mute a go if you are after a high quality mute, you won't regret it!
Available online at: mikesbanjomute.com
quote:
Originally posted by writerradquote:this would have more meaning to it if you explained what kind of banjo you have.I have several mutes that work well on my open backs that do not work so well on my one rb. One of those mutes is wonderful on my big tubaphone open backs but shuts out all the sound on my Fairbanks electric,Thanks
Originally posted by Bombom1My banjo mute arrived today. I highly recommend Mike's Banjo Mute. It's a breeze to fit and significantly reduced the volume. I tried a slide-on brass mute previously and it didn't do the trick, was too loose on the bridge and the lining came off the brass when I tried to adjust it. Give Mike's Banjo Mute a go if you are after a high quality mute, you won't regret it!
Available online at: mikesbanjomute.com
Apologies, have a tenor banjo, with the resonator on or off it works great to mute the volume significantly.