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Post subject: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:22 am
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Hello all:

I have a 1966 P-bass, and just received this foam packet that I got on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390820365161?ss ... 1439.l2649

I ordered it because I liked that it was a genuine Fender part, and it was specifically for the Precision Bass. I'm sure foam is foam, but I wanted to stick it under the bridge mute the same way it came from the factory in 1966. Although the original foam was gone, it was clear to see where it had been attached. The new foam wasn't quiet as long as the original foam, and I had to cut it in the shape of a wedge to match the original shape. I noticed the foam was very dense, and I had to push the bridge cover on kind of tight to get the screws in (fortunately I already repaired the screw holes so that wasn't a problem). But if those screws were to loosen, the bridge my pop off and break a window.

Is this the closest I'll be able to get to the original? Should I be worried that I had to use a little force to press the bridge cover on? I feel like it was a total hack job!

BTW, the bass sounds totally MOTOWN now... I was really surprised at how much I like the sound. And advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Post subject: Re: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:59 am
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Nope. i had to push down a bit when I did the same thing with my 57 Reissue. Perfectly normal. Sounds completely killer now. Best thing I ever did.

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Post subject: Re: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:00 pm
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You are correct, that is a different foam. It is PICKUP MOUNTING FOAM that goes under the pickups. The part number FENDER 001-8556-049 is Precision Bass pickup mounting foam, not the foam for the underside of the bridge cover. The foam for the underside of the bridge cover used at Fender Fullerton was SEARS WEATHERSTRIPPING. Always was. So far as I know Fender doesn't sell it, but Sears does. It is dense narrow hard rubber product.

I just use packing foam and put it under the strings or between the strings and bridge cover, works good and I can take it out when I want. With flatwounds I don't use foam at all, but instead use a felt wrap with flats.

Here's my site's page on a couple of ways I use muting. The felt wrap for flats works great, but foam with flats is just too much thud.
http://brotherdave.com/add_mute.htm


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Post subject: Re: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 6:04 am
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In all things I would always recommend BD's advice. He is really the board authority. However, I did go to Lowe's and get the self adhesive Weatherstripping to do it old school on my 57 RI. I also run flats on my bass. That's just personal preference, though.

As I said. I had to press down when mounting the cover. That is perfectly normal. It definitely gives you a very vintage correct sound.

However, as Dave points out. It pretty much locks you into that tone for gig purposes doing it the old fashioned way. Meaning you can't just remove the foam in the middle of a set and change things up. I'm comfortable with that at this point in my journey. If you want more flexibility then Dave's advice is definitely spot on.

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2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo


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Post subject: Re: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:47 am
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Great info! Thanks for your help... it's so damn satisfying to get clear answers. No wonder the foam didn't fit right!

I'm really not playing gigs, so I don't mind not being able to swap things out. I'll grab some weather strip now...

Did Fender really use "Sears" brand?

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Post subject: Re: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 2:43 pm
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Spumoni wrote:
Did Fender really use "Sears" brand?


I believe I read that somewhere as well.

As frugal and practical as Leo was, it would not be surprising in the least.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:33 pm
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Greetings all,

I've had good luck with a product on ebay called the Bass Mufler. It's s the same idea but it is a lot easier to remove/replace. Rolling with that and La Bella flats on my '66 P-Bass sounds sweet.


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Post subject: Re: P-bass foam mute question
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2014 2:19 pm
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Spumoni wrote:

...Did Fender really use "Sears" brand?


Yes from the nearby Sears store. Someone would drive over to the nearby Sears store and buy it a spool or two at a time. It was flat on the sticky side and rounded on the exposed side. If you looked at it from the side it looked like it was "D" shaped.


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