The Ultimate Bass Mute - But Is It Worth It?

PLEASE NOTE: use headphones or a device with proper speakers for this video. The muting removes a lot of the top end and you won't get the true effect through a mobile device or laptop.
This week we're looking at a cool product from Nordstrand Audio, the Nordy Mute!
This muting device is pretty simple in design but very effective in application. I'm putting it to the test and seeing how it shapes up to the alternatives.
Check out the Nordy Mute at Nordstrand: nordstrandaudio.com/products/...
Or Bass Direct: w.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar...
=====================================================
Follow Talkingbass:
► Instagram: / talkingbasslessons
► Facebook: / talkingbassnet
► Twitter: / markjsmithbass
======================================================
Visit www.talkingbass.net for more free online bass lessons, articles and downloads from Mark Smith and subscribe to receive the free Scale Reference Manual.
These Free Online Bass Lessons from Mark J Smith are released weekly so subscribe for updates and visit www.talkingbass.net for a complete lesson map and all the downloadable lesson material.

[@EightTrackBass]

I bought one after watching your video. I absolutely love it. Consistency can be hard when dancing around a stage and this makes it possible to get a very consistent muted sound with ease.

[@ekdguitar123]

I really appreciate the way you presented the pros and cons. Well done!

[@Macilmoyle]

Strictly speaking, Carol Kaye didn't use a foam mute. She felt that taping some felt on top of the strings worked better for her pick based style.

[@timbulb]

Ive heard of her using a few different techniques. She definitely used more than one.

[@billywebb4325]

Great tone! I just ordered a 5 string model for a Fender Jazz.

[@mrbungle7586]

Great vid as always, I might get 1 of these, as u say, ez to put on and take off and not restricted. Cheers

[@DavidTaylor-th2fq]

I love your Bass Mark!! Great demo!

[@unfunnydave5485]

This is basically a 10 minute ad that I enjoyed for some reason

[@andrewmobley1818]

Excellent , consistent muted tone❗🎶 I purchased one April 8, 2020 after viewing Jonathan Herera play Darling Dear bass line of Jermerson's

[@pauloftarsus8145]

Yes I was looking into these devices not to long ago. I am a huge fan of that old school tone. I could definitely use one of these. Thanks for the lesson.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Check out the latest lesson. I use it for walking.

[@leebarker539]

IIRC, the early Epiphone Rivoli (a short scale bass, be it noted) had a mute option built into the bridge. Pull a metal tab and a felt pad came up against the strings. Just a history squib.

[@markbass354]

perfect , I'm buying one for my Fender , thanks Mark

[@donalddodson7365]

Very helpful. Thank you for all the help you provide. Cheers from La Mesa, CA, USA.

[@ndrewsunday]

Cheers from Chula Vista, CA

[@thomasfioriglio]

Just got mine. Wow, works perfectly. I was doubtful of paying $40 for this but it simply works and works well. Tone is consistent from string to string and easy to put and off and the wood top is a nice touch. Not something i would use all the time, but an interesting tone that could come in handy.

[@ejmusicofficial]

What “mm” did you get?

[@mauriliomina823]

A little late to the party.... :-) Great review! Try moving the mute up or down to create more or less pressure or even move it around , closer or farther from the bridge! Lots of different 'sounds'. For those mentioning it is 'too stiff', when new the slots are a tad tight, but move and remove the mute and kinda drag it across the strings several times, it's going to fit perfectly to your strings setup!

[@0800338833]

Thumbs up for mentioning Carol Kaye! 🇬🇧🍻👍🏻

[@RkyMtnBassist]

Anyone else thought that Mark called that thing a naughty mute? I didn't know what to think at first? Anyways, thanx Mark, I'll pick one up and try it!

[@christian53050]

...thought that till I saw your comment.

[@karansuryawanshipaontasahib]

Omg 😯 it’s so good Thanks mark sir you are amazing thanks for this lesson....

[@jazzbrew68]

Hi Mark - you mentioned that you're using LaBella strings, which gauge? I use the LaBella low tension flats which has a 100 E string. I have the mute and I think it's muting more due to the lighter gauge. Thinking of trying the 760L which has a 104 E.

[@jockojohn3294]

Ultimate bass mute...……….unplug the bass instrument cable......

[@lapinranger7405]

what do you think of "the bass mute" (made by Ellio Martina Guitars ) ? thanks for you video, very interesting

[@drawebajo1750]

Mark I have a question. Is it Nordy mute fits well for Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass 4? I am asking because it has different pickguard.Did you try it on your Marcus Miller Jazz Bass?

[@gimmeagig]

Does the bass stay in tune when I slide the mute onto the strings? I don't have time to retune in the middle of a set. I made a mute that I can slide under the strings quickly but my bass goes sharp and that makes it unusable during a performance.

[@pdavidquesada9466]

Carol Kaye doesn't use the muting technique you explain in your video. On the contrary, she uses a felt fixed with mask tape, above the strings, and always advocates and advices to avoid the method you explain.

[@codeppr1213]

That bass sounds amazing! What p model is that?

[@tecraven]

Mark. Just letting you know that your link to bass direct in your description is missing two 'w's' from the www. There is only one so when I click on it (Mac, Safari) it comes up with a warning saying the site is imitating and possibly a scam. I'd edit this and pop in two more little w's so the link works.

[@brent3994]

Which set of Labellas are you using?

[@kurtownsj00]

Great idea for us makers too, but for those who don't have foam laying around, wood or a 3D printer and foam safe adhesives.....looks like a solid buy!

[@armansrsa]

foam looks cool

[@deanvinson7080]

you look like you on speed but i still love you

[@Jelieldb]

I am..Brazil... Very Beautiful the bass...by by..

[@PatapaloVideo]

I paid $40 for my Ibanez bass...

[@pauloftarsus8145]

Whats wrong with it? lol.

[@SonicXRage]

I'm sorry for you 😥

[@xxxno3xxx9]

It’s not the bass that matters. It’s the player

[@SonicXRage]

@@xxxno3xxx9 A poorly-made bass is harder for even a good player to use to its full potential. Sharp, protruding fret ends, a slow neck, poor intonation, and other problems could frustrate even the best of us. However, most budget basses by well-known brands can give you at least the bare bones of a good bass, and sometimes a little bit more. Yes, tone is in the hands, but if your bass slows you down then you'll definitely have legitimate problems with it.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT ONE HELL OF A DEAL . I PAID OVER 2K FOR MINE.

[@SteveRayDarrell]

Super cool! Do you use rounds or flats with a mute?

[@talkingbasslessons]

Flats with the mute

[@pjmuck]

$40 US for that is ridiculous, IMO. I wanted the ability to flip mute on and off on the fly and I ended up installing Ellio Martina's The Bass Mute instead. Yes, it's pricier than the Nordy, but way more versatile. 3 mute settings are available with the flick of a lever. I love it and use it all the time.

[@SwimDrinkFish]

Just bought one - the effect is rather drastic in my opinion. Thinking of widening the slots or maybe widening just the part at the very end of the slots by drilling it out just a bit? I don’t want to ruin it though! So I may just see if it breaks in a bit. Vs a piece of foam stuffed under the strings - I have been using this for a while now. A nice charcoal grey piece looks perfectly fine and I salvaged it from a headphone packing so it was basically free. But the Nordy is more consistent across the strings. But my custom open cell foam is a bit more subtle, which I kind of like tone-wise. I’m also thinking of making my own Nordystyle mute with different foam now that I have a template. For the price? Don’t focus on the cost of materials. I appreciate the innovation and convenience, and this advances a simple technology that was long overdue for an overhaul- for that it’s easily worth the price of admission, nice work Carey Nordstrand!

[@debrahudson2243]

Hey I know this is months old but try to put it on at a slight angle

[@profile2047]

Don’t focus on the price of materials? Dude…

[@ebeyslough]

Start at 4:10

[@michaelstephens2040]

Gruv Gear as a similar product and it's a wee bit cheaper. It's call Fump and runs about $19.99 US currency. :-)

[@talkingbasslessons]

I've got a Frump. Don't like it. Doesn't work in the same way.

[@letsplayharmonica]

I was about to ask the same.

[@albertrd.9342]

I have the Fump and I think that it is horrible. It fits unevenly across the strings and mutes way too much.

[@Ahriman_II]

🤣🤣🤣 sale averted with a side dish of face palm. No commission for you 😂😂😂

[@OoTZOMMMoO]

Let's hope there is a 6 string version of this nice little thingy

[@NordstrandAudio]

there is!

[@jdssurf]

Does it fall off easy

[@thomasfioriglio]

It is on securely

[@KeenestObserver]

Actually, if you mute with the picking hand, you have the freedom to use the thumb and the index/middle finger which allows for alot of diversity still. It's an impressive thing to practice, I'm pretty sure Victor Wooten did it an insane amount, and really well at that.

[@empiredreamsinc.4298]

Damn! 40?

[@MixingGBP]

I tried it...it was horrible. Absolutely killed ALL the sustain, no matter how much or little I installed it on my P bass. Made my bass sound worse than bad. I tried to contact Nordy about this issue and they never replied. Ended up selling it for my original purchase price. Thanks, but I'll stick with palm muting.

[@talkingbasslessons]

The whole point is that it kills the sustain

[@MixingGBP]

@@talkingbasslessons Not to the point of almost no clarity of tone. And there should be 'some' sustain. This mute sounds way worse than palm muting and not worth $40.

[@talkingbasslessons]

@@MixingGBP Sounds like you placed it too far from the bridge. The further away and deeper you place it the more dead it becomes. You only have to listen to my tone on the video to know it doesn't completely mute the strings.

[@MrKafein]

I went to purchase it, but I stopped when I saw the shipping would be even more expensive than the device... I can get along with foam, at this price (80 bucks), they may, f... themselves.

[@NordstrandAudio]

Where are you located? We may have a dealer near you!

[@kingface]

To be fair, there’s a third way to mute the strings (besides the thumb method, and the left hand single finger method). And one used by us pick-players for decades. The palm of our hand.

[@depalmeira]

It doesn’t work properly. Bought two, tried on several basses… not good.

[@henrybonruiz]

Is this made in America? China? Thank you.

[@MrTennisgolf]

Mexico, and it’s great. Player Series. I have that color. It’s beautiful.

[@mauriliomina823]

@@MrTennisgolf dude what? Made here in the US!

[@yeoldefoxeh254]

Extremely expensive for a piece of foam with a logo.

[@Yodelinthegully-d7r]

You don’t need flatwounds when using a mute. Flats and rounds sound alike when muted. 😩

[@matthewheinecke2621]

Not really. There's definitely a difference.