Sponge vs Nordy mute

Fender American Professional Precision Bass
Thomastic Infeld Flatwound Strings
sponge

[@meisenman]

I made my own Nordy-inspired mute using one thickness of an old mouse pad, stiffened with a piece of plastic. The Nordy Mute appears to be thicker than mine, so it mutes more than mine does. If you want more muting, use two thicknesses.

[@BobBlackBass]

Sounds cool I bet!

[@kelalamusic9258]

The cheapo sponge sounds better. Thanks, I'll continue using my sponge. First time watching. You seem like a nice honest guy, so I subscribed.

[@BobBlackBass]

Thanks Kelala I agree, however I recently tried the Nordy mute on my Stingray bass and it was quite good!

[@scottalexander9735]

I bought a Nordy mute and love it, but your sponge sounds better to my ear

[@BobBlackBass]

Hey Scott, yeah true. The Nordy sounds really good my Stingray

[@garyteves4077]

Thanks for the demo! I’m not much on the muted sound, so I’d probably just use my old MusicMan Stingray, it has the built in mute. The Nordy piece looks nice, but too much for how much I’d use it. $25 would be more like it. And, I’ve always said toe-MASS-tick. Great flats that are worth the premium price. I’m subscribing starting now.

[@BobBlackBass]

Thanks Gary, I tend to agree!

[@Smuckeroni]

This was pretty useful! I was considering getting the NordyMute but I'm probably just gonna stick with a sponge, thanks!

[@BobBlackBass]

Thanks, Smucky!

[@TheBassfresh]

Nice demo! I think we are of like minds. To my ears, the Nordy over-mutes and destroys the note tone, and anything under or enveloping the strings changes the point of bridge intonation, but the sponge sounds better. I just keep a couple P basses in the stable w/ the bridge ashtray cover and the door/window seal rubber mute attached to the underside (has glue) where it rests on top of the bridge posts like Leo intended., same way Jamerson and many others did it.

[@BobBlackBass]

Hey Doug, sounds like you're doing it the right way!

[@James.Kessler]

One advantage of the NordyMute is it's adjustable. To dampen the strings less, simply tilt it toward the bridge. 🙂 Also, that sponge will affect your intonation, but the Nordy won't. IMO that's a bigger deal than tuning (though the Nordy wins there, too), since adjusting the saddles takes even longer. BTW, they use the same rubber foam Fender put under their bridge covers back in the day. So theoretically you can get exactly Jamerson's tone with a NordyMute, just don't push it down all the way. 🤷

[@BobBlackBass]

Hey James, thanks for the advice! The Nordy works great on my Stingray!

[@2HimTru]

I like either using rolled piece of felt or sponge on my current Five-String Bass. But, I miss my German Warwick Bass... it sounded great without any mute materials.

[@BobBlackBass]

Don't feel bad , Terrell, we all have ones that got away!

[@drwhave]

I have a Nordy and I am on the same opinion. I sort of prefer the more open sound of the sponge, but it's messy to put it on and retune, so I keep using the Nordy for simplicity. But if I'd record the muted tone, I'd use a sponge

[@BobBlackBass]

Agreed!

[@2000SkyView]

I use A/C open cell weather strip, you can get a 3 foot piece for $3 makes life supply of bass mutes.

[@BobBlackBass]

Cool idea!

[@mrbungle7586]

Good review Bob. I'd stick with the sponge, although the Nordy is quicker and looks a bit nicer. Cheers

[@BobBlackBass]

Hey Mr Bungle, agreed although I found that the Nordy sounds great on a Stingray!

[@67NewEngland]

What if you cut notches into the sponge in the same location as they are in the Nordy Block…? $40 saved! *Bob I’d like some vids on your different amp and cab set ups you gig with as well as your basses and the various strings you use on them.

[@BobBlackBass]

Coming!

[@nathanminert3119]

I'd love to hear the Nordymute with a pick for the Carol Kaye sound.

[@BobBlackBass]

Hey Nathan, you're right! I don't know how I forgot that!

[@nathanminert3119]

@@BobBlackBass no worries man! I don't know if it's worth your time, but maybe a video on how to get that sound without having to leave felt and masking tape on your bass full time would be cool.

[@AmpAHolic-wn6mr]

It’s a useful tool, but I think Nordy was a bit to optimistic on the price point. With shipping your over $50. If you have a few tools and you know which end of the screwdriver to hold you should be able to come up with the exact same thing after sourcing the materials which can be found easily in your local hardware and craft store.

[@BobBlackBass]

Hey Amp, you're right!

[@mrbungle7586]

Agreed, make your own as it's over priced. The question I have is, do I use left or right handed screw driver. 👍 🤔

[@jamesgrant3343]

Cool video, very useful. Nordymute sounds very tubby to me, ‘sponge’ sounded very Motown and ‘nothing’ sounded best to me! I love Motown songs, but a lot of the Motown and Stax recordings sound horrible to me. Glad we have more freedom and less technology restrictions these days!

[@BobBlackBass]

Cool, thanks!

[@BobBlackBass]

P.s. The Nordy sounds great on my Stingray with flats!

[@atquinn1975]

Sponge definitely sounds better to me. And way cheaper too!

[@BobBlackBass]

Agreed, however, I tried the nordy on my stingray and was surprised at how good it sounded!

[@tallguy3]

Walter white’s arch nemesis

[@BobBlackBass]

Explain?????

[@tallguy3]

@@BobBlackBass no lmao

[@2000SkyView]

sponge wins

[@BobBlackBass]

Yes, although the Nordy mute sounds great on my Stingray!

[@TheEssexCat]

Sponge sounded better to me.

[@BobBlackBass]

Thanks, EssexCat!