Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Well, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal uses one, hard to call him a slacker .....What say you ?
String dumpener/muter is it cheating?
- Thread starter Dr.Mavashi
- Start date
Lucius Paisley
New member
Sympathetic Vibration can occur when you least expect it or even need it. If a string dampener or even a simple hairband means you don't have to think about it, then use it.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Interesting, I wonder why all the 80s shredders never used one? And unless I missed some from what I’ve seen Satch, Vai, Lynch still don’t use one, YJM obviously isn’t either, did anybody see Al DiMiola use one ?
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Cheating what? You do whatever you have to to get a good clear sound.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
I've worked really hard to learn to play cleanly enough that I don't feel a need to use one - through a combination of picking palm and left hand dampening. This lets me play open strings when I want. If you never need to play open strings, or if you have developed a technique around engaging a string mute when necessary, that would do the same thing. Whatever works for you.
Archer250
New member
It's only cheating when used during practice. In fact, no that's not even "cheating"; that's just flat out gimping yourself.
But it's a tool that saves studio time and therefore save money. Why would you not use it during recordings unless you want some of the sympathetic resonance?
What I am a bit against though are the marketed Fret Wraps products and stuff. Like, just use a sock or borrow your significant other's scrunchie.
But it's a tool that saves studio time and therefore save money. Why would you not use it during recordings unless you want some of the sympathetic resonance?
What I am a bit against though are the marketed Fret Wraps products and stuff. Like, just use a sock or borrow your significant other's scrunchie.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
If you need crutches to cut a record or passably perform live that's fine, but using in your day to day playing just hurts you more than anything.
NegativeEase
New member
Cheating who? do whatever you want to make music the way you want.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
At least with the multiple takes you are playing the piece correctly once. I don't count it as cheating until you start gluing together bits and pieces from multiple takes, or quantize stuff that's played out of time. That's cheating.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
I have been thinking about this and no it is not cheating. There are plenty of guitars that were built with dampeners, and plenty of basses. Pianos and other stringed instruments have string dampeners. A string dampener is not going to make you a better or worse player. It is just a tool, use it or don't as you see fit.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
If anything, the need for a string dampener is indicative of a design flaw in the instrument. It's not a cheat to correct an inherent problem.
Putting tiny sections of music together is the rule, rather than the exception.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Interesting .... so quite a few of you have split into two camps, Use IT/Use it but ONLY DURING recording ...... would be great to see two camps debate. I am kind of leaning to the latter .... I think ..... although I've never seen my hearos George Lynch, Richie Blackmore, YJM, Tony Iommi, Criss Oliva, Uli Roth, Satch, Mick Mars, Vitto Bratta, Nuno, use one back in the day ....
