@@RobertCassard I bought it at a kitchen store in Canada. But I’m sure Amazon sells them. It was in my steel straw. I believe a silicone full length straw would work. Amazon sells them.
Very interesting, I’m often on the lookout for different tones , and although I don’t think it’s going to be a regular choice, I like the way It could quickly and reversibly done to pretty much any of my guitars, also loving the way that simple slap back delay sounds... looking forward to having a play/experiment myself 👍🎸🇬🇧
Glad you’re intrigued, John. I think relatively few people will commit to a rubber bridge conversion, having one or more of these non-invasive items in the guitar case is almost like having another effects pedal…
Thank you, Don! Here's more backstory on Rubber Bridge guitars, in case you missed my earlier video: ua-cam.com/video/5vWIpwlXGpA/v-deo.html Also, I recently recorded a cover of John Lennon's beautiful song "Julia" where I used the rubber tubing technique on my vintage Gibson: ua-cam.com/video/oc21zgCnnlQ/v-deo.html And here's the video showing how I arranged and recorded it: ua-cam.com/video/x-qIx-gmmTw/v-deo.html
Isn’t this just permanent, even if it is none invasive, strong palm muting? I’m not hearing much difference between this and a heavy palm mute across the whole saddle? Then again, it is very early and I’m sure I need to get my hearing tested 😂
The sound is very similar to heavy palm muting, but it's totally consistent without any effort, freeing your right hand to do whatever it wants. There's a big difference in that respect because it's automatic. To use a recording analogy, a rubber bridge is like a compressor that evens out all the peaks, while palm muting is akin to riding a fader manually.
It may fade in popularity, but because it sounds like a unique instrument, some artists will keep playing rubber bridges. Again, here’s why: ua-cam.com/video/788ag7mGBKM/v-deo.html
I can’t quite believe people are buying a purpose-built guitar to sound exactly like the guitar they already own, just with a bit of muting. Its a scam.
I hear you, and my experiments proved to me that various mutes can ALMOST imitate the sound of a rubber bridge. But after making one myself, I can confirm it is different: ua-cam.com/video/EMnHyfQv26o/v-deo.html
@@RobertCassard I guess if you are an Indi pop star and have oodles of money to throw around, it might make sense to have a specific guitar that does nothing else but make this one particular sound, without you having to mess around with it, and so it’s always sitting there ready to go whenever you want that sound. That’s just not a financial situation to which I can relate.
@@fromchomleystreet it doesn’t take “oodles of money” to have a really nice rubber bridge guitar. You can buy a parlor guitar, either a vintage Stella or a brand new Gretsch Jim Dandy, for $200 or less. As I showed in my video, you can then fabricate a rubber bridge for about $10. It’s not an extravagance by the standards and costs of most acoustic guitars.
@@RobertCassard You’ve misunderstood me. I’m not talking about what you did, I’m talking about the people ordering a commercially produced “Rubber Bridge Guitar”, as if it was essentially a different instrument to the one they already own, when they could just head down to the hardware store, as you have done.
Cool video. I love the sound but do you think this is more of a recording tool than say a live one? I get a very similar sound playing my nylon string acoustic with light palm muting.
Good question, Ron. A lot of the hot artists use their rubber bridges (for certain songs) when playing live. The benefit is NOT having to palm mute, which gives more freedom and flexibility to your right hand. Here's a favorite example: ua-cam.com/video/J-JKOqO-DY0/v-deo.html
I’ve done it and it works. My only surprise was how dark it makes an electric guitar’s tone. Brighter pickups and single-coils can help. Of course, there are other ways to compensate, too. I may do another video to demo that at some point…
Those sound are like the ones made by a newbie. I know I sound like that when I was learning guitar. No need for rubber bridge for a newbie guitarist. HAHAHA.
Interesting that you hear the rubber bridge as a "newbie" sound. A lot of virtuoso guitarists use and LOVE them. People like Madison Cunningham, Aaron Dessner of The National, and the one and only Ariel Posen. Check this out: ua-cam.com/video/N3CqTCgzm1k/v-deo.html
I use three 5/8 rubber grommets. Slide them between two strings and They work very good. You can use those also behind the bridge on arch tops to eliminate unwanted harmonics. You can also chose which sets of strings you want to mute, E and A, D and G or B and E, so mute the bass strings but leave the highs open etc……
This is great, and I have all of those items in the garage already. It reminds me of the mute in my old Ovation bass. So I tried it on my Yamaha Transacoustic parlor guitar with the long hall reverb maxed out. It's very cool sounding. Thanks! Looking forward to next week.
Glad to hear you had the items to try, Jon! I didn't know Ovation had mutes on their basses. Man, I'd love to hear your Transacoustic in "rubber mode"!
Since when do bass strings "Hang lower" than the treble strings? Measured from the bridge saddle they're all the same and follow the curve of the saddle . String Action on the other hand is usually LESS on the treble side .
Thanks for asking that question, Oliver. You're right that bass strings don't technically hang lower, they're just heavier gauge. On my Stella, the thinner end of the sponge fit better under the bass strings and the thicker end fit better under the treble strings. This placement also kept the string-to-string volume of the muted notes more balanced, and that's what's really matters. Thanks for watching BTW - please come back tell me if you try out any of these techniques and how they work for you.
@@RobertCassard 😊Hi,well... What i always wanted was one of those mechanical felt padded contraptions for an archtop bridge. Unfortunately all of the genuine old stuff i checked was more or less of a pain..... For the few occasions when i needed it i used a strip of piano felt that I squeezed between the strings and the (flattop)bridge right in front of the saddle. I think i still have it but haven't used it in years.....
Thank you! This confirmed some suspicions I've had recently re: other options. I'm coming from the standpoint of a bass player, so other materials are nothing new. There's even the legend of Tony Levin having used a diaper on Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up."
I’ve never heard or played one of those. Do you know of any recorded example? My Stella was built with a wood bridge, as are many archtops. A wood bridge usually adds mellowness but not “deadness” like rubber.
It doesn’t shorten the effective scale length because these techniques are only mutes. They mute the vibration of the strings from the original bridge. If you replace the bridge, you keep the scale length identical as well.
@@RobertCassard I already had rubber weather stripping and tried that, got it to sound pretty good! Just posted about my version on r/telecaster using my red esquire with the bridge cover.
As an engineer, I love these ideas! I'll probably never use them - the music I play doesn't tend towards those tones... but maybe a bit of fun in a jam session one day....
@@RobertCassard Nah.... I like warm, ringing jazz tones... and slightly overdriven blues...... Most pop-type tones make me want to hide somewhere remote until the fad has been permanently consigned to history... never to return! Not that I'm cynical........ much......
For the moment I’m using a microphone windscreen. The deadening effect is a little too much especially on the trebles but I hear what you’re getting at!
@@martianmurray That explains it! A sponge windscreen. Not sure why, but I was picturing a pop filter, not a windscreen... My brain must've been turned off.
@@RobertCassard oh yeah it was a nylon string too so it had plenty of room, and it took the no-sustain to the extreme lol. Trebles were gone but the basses sounded cool. Gotta get a Waterslide for my jazzmaster now!
@@martianmurray jealous of your Jazzmaster. I love the sound of Madison Cunningham’s. I think she does standard tuning, down 2 whole steps. Low note is C.
Glad you liked this. FYI - I just recorded a cover of The Beatles "Julia," using this rubber tube mute technique on two vintage Gibson acoustics. How do you like this? ua-cam.com/video/oc21zgCnnlQ/v-deo.htmlsi=LJOsA5Kh2T0lfg19
We used to call that muting and we did it with our hands. The great thing with doing it with your hands is that you can lift them off at any moment so the guitar sounds good again. I once had a Fender Jag that had a mechanical version of this that you could flip on and off at will. I never used it. Sounded gash!
Thanks, tezzo55. As an old-schooler myself, I’ve done A LOT of palm-muting in my day. LOL You must’ve missed my earlier rubber bridge video where I talk about the mutes like you had on your Jag: What's the BIG DEAL about RUBBER BRIDGE guitars?! ua-cam.com/video/5vWIpwlXGpA/v-deo.html
Palm muting must be a forgotten technique, that's how we all do it in the studio and live with no external devices. I takes practice but can be utilized instantly while playing.
I’ve always used palm muting, too, but a rubber bridge gives a slightly rounder and more “bouncy” (and totally consistent) attack, and it frees up your entire right hand. All I can say is, it’s fun!
I think this is A) Geared toward newer and younger guitarists just getting into guitar because of its recent explosion, and B) More for people focused more on their singing and song writing chops that don’t necessarily consider themselves guitarists. Most people struggle to play more technical material, especially finger style, while singing at the same time.
@@idontgrillonwed As a general rule, you may be right. But I certainly don't fit those categories, and nor does Ariel Posen: ua-cam.com/video/N3CqTCgzm1k/v-deo.html
@@idontgrillonwed True. Excited that I'll be meeting Julian Lage in a couple weeks. Chris Thile is hosting an "Acousticamp" on Long Island and Julian is one of the faculty members. I'll be there with a guitar in hand!
I tried this with a silicone straw cover, and it works perfectly. Thank you for sharing.
Cool idea. A silicone straw cover? Where did you get it?
@@RobertCassard I bought it at a kitchen store in Canada. But I’m sure Amazon sells them. It was in my steel straw. I believe a silicone full length straw would work. Amazon sells them.
@@deetee5156 thanks. I’ll do some scouting!
I love the combination too, remind me when plaiying without a pick (plectrum) with hands or thumb strumming. I'll try rubber on the bridge
Glad you’re enjoying it, domenico!
Very interesting, I’m often on the lookout for different tones , and although I don’t think it’s going to be a regular choice, I like the way It could quickly and reversibly done to pretty much any of my guitars, also loving the way that simple slap back delay sounds... looking forward to having a play/experiment myself 👍🎸🇬🇧
Glad you’re intrigued, John. I think relatively few people will commit to a rubber bridge conversion, having one or more of these non-invasive items in the guitar case is almost like having another effects pedal…
This is awesome man, thanks. Side benefit: when the box showed up from Amazon, it sure did look like a murder kit
LOL. What all was in your box?!
I really like the sponge sound the best. Great video.
Thank you, Don! Here's more backstory on Rubber Bridge guitars, in case you missed my earlier video:
ua-cam.com/video/5vWIpwlXGpA/v-deo.html
Also, I recently recorded a cover of John Lennon's beautiful song "Julia" where I used the rubber tubing technique on my vintage Gibson: ua-cam.com/video/oc21zgCnnlQ/v-deo.html
And here's the video showing how I arranged and recorded it:
ua-cam.com/video/x-qIx-gmmTw/v-deo.html
Isn’t this just permanent, even if it is none invasive, strong palm muting? I’m not hearing much difference between this and a heavy palm mute across the whole saddle? Then again, it is very early and I’m sure I need to get my hearing tested 😂
The sound is very similar to heavy palm muting, but it's totally consistent without any effort, freeing your right hand to do whatever it wants. There's a big difference in that respect because it's automatic. To use a recording analogy, a rubber bridge is like a compressor that evens out all the peaks, while palm muting is akin to riding a fader manually.
Sounds like another fad to me.
It may fade in popularity, but because it sounds like a unique instrument, some artists will keep playing rubber bridges. Again, here’s why: ua-cam.com/video/788ag7mGBKM/v-deo.html
@@RobertCassard I guess so. I just listened to that song. I guess it’s just not my kind of music but I can certainly see the appeal.
@@officialWWM if you can see it, that’s enough!
I can’t quite believe people are buying a purpose-built guitar to sound exactly like the guitar they already own, just with a bit of muting. Its a scam.
I hear you, and my experiments proved to me that various mutes can ALMOST imitate the sound of a rubber bridge. But after making one myself, I can confirm it is different: ua-cam.com/video/EMnHyfQv26o/v-deo.html
@@RobertCassard I guess if you are an Indi pop star and have oodles of money to throw around, it might make sense to have a specific guitar that does nothing else but make this one particular sound, without you having to mess around with it, and so it’s always sitting there ready to go whenever you want that sound. That’s just not a financial situation to which I can relate.
@@fromchomleystreet it doesn’t take “oodles of money” to have a really nice rubber bridge guitar. You can buy a parlor guitar, either a vintage Stella or a brand new Gretsch Jim Dandy, for $200 or less. As I showed in my video, you can then fabricate a rubber bridge for about $10. It’s not an extravagance by the standards and costs of most acoustic guitars.
@@RobertCassard You’ve misunderstood me. I’m not talking about what you did, I’m talking about the people ordering a commercially produced “Rubber Bridge Guitar”, as if it was essentially a different instrument to the one they already own, when they could just head down to the hardware store, as you have done.
@@fromchomleystreet I see what you're saying now!
how to sound like ariel posen for $3. amazing
Yes! I love how you put that... 🎼😍
I have a inexpensive orangewood guitar with a pickup, I’m doing this today .
Probably perfect for “rubberizing.” Come back and tell me how it goes!
Cool video. I love the sound but do you think this is more of a recording tool than say a live one? I get a very similar sound playing my nylon string acoustic with light palm muting.
Good question, Ron. A lot of the hot artists use their rubber bridges (for certain songs) when playing live. The benefit is NOT having to palm mute, which gives more freedom and flexibility to your right hand. Here's a favorite example: ua-cam.com/video/J-JKOqO-DY0/v-deo.html
The weatherstripping sounds the best
I love the subtle differences. Even more obvious when you heat 'em back-to-back, like in this video at 8:49: ua-cam.com/video/EMnHyfQv26o/v-deo.html
I’m going to try this with electric too .
I’ve done it and it works. My only surprise was how dark it makes an electric guitar’s tone. Brighter pickups and single-coils can help. Of course, there are other ways to compensate, too. I may do another video to demo that at some point…
I like it. It’s like a guitar version of adding pizzicato to arco.
Exactly! I played orchestral double bass for many years, and that's the perfect description.
Those sound are like the ones made by a newbie. I know I sound like that when I was learning guitar. No need for rubber bridge for a newbie guitarist. HAHAHA.
Interesting that you hear the rubber bridge as a "newbie" sound. A lot of virtuoso guitarists use and LOVE them. People like Madison Cunningham, Aaron Dessner of The National, and the one and only Ariel Posen. Check this out: ua-cam.com/video/N3CqTCgzm1k/v-deo.html
How different is this really from palm muting?
Big difference in that it's ALWAYS muted and it's effortless. But the sound is similar...
Thank you sir! I feel like all of my obsessive palm muting is vindicated : )
As a palm-muter and deep groover myself, I hear you, Greg!
I use three 5/8 rubber grommets. Slide them between two strings and They work very good. You can use those also behind the bridge on arch tops to eliminate unwanted harmonics. You can also chose which sets of strings you want to mute, E and A, D and G or B and E, so mute the bass strings but leave the highs open etc……
This sounds like a great idea. I’m having a challenge imagining how you position the grommets…
@@RobertCassard tim lerch has a video about it somewhere actually
@@christopher-miles I found the video here: ua-cam.com/video/_V_Z_3n5cUE/v-deo.html
Thanks for the pointer!
This is great, and I have all of those items in the garage already. It reminds me of the mute in my old Ovation bass. So I tried it on my Yamaha Transacoustic parlor guitar with the long hall reverb maxed out. It's very cool sounding. Thanks! Looking forward to next week.
Glad to hear you had the items to try, Jon! I didn't know Ovation had mutes on their basses. Man, I'd love to hear your Transacoustic in "rubber mode"!
Since when do bass strings
"Hang lower" than the treble strings?
Measured from the bridge saddle they're all the same and follow the curve of the saddle .
String Action on the other hand is usually LESS on the treble side .
Thanks for asking that question, Oliver. You're right that bass strings don't technically hang lower, they're just heavier gauge. On my Stella, the thinner end of the sponge fit better under the bass strings and the thicker end fit better under the treble strings. This placement also kept the string-to-string volume of the muted notes more balanced, and that's what's really matters. Thanks for watching BTW - please come back tell me if you try out any of these techniques and how they work for you.
@@RobertCassard 😊Hi,well...
What i always wanted was one of those mechanical felt padded contraptions for an archtop bridge.
Unfortunately all of the genuine old stuff i checked was more or less of a pain.....
For the few occasions when i needed it i used a strip of piano felt that I squeezed between the strings and the (flattop)bridge right in front of the saddle.
I think i still have it but haven't used it in years.....
Piano felt seems like a great idea. I also have some thick felt weatherstripping that's very similar. Guess I'll have to try that next... 😱
Thank you! This confirmed some suspicions I've had recently re: other options. I'm coming from the standpoint of a bass player, so other materials are nothing new. There's even the legend of Tony Levin having used a diaper on Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up."
Yes, Jeremy. I think the lesson is to try things until you get the tone you want. Diapers included!
I'm using a strip of a scotch brute like material cut to size. It allows for a touch more high end.
Do you mean Scotch-Brite scour pads? If so, that's a cool idea.
Kinda like danelectro’s wood bridge from the old days
I’ve never heard or played one of those. Do you know of any recorded example? My Stella was built with a wood bridge, as are many archtops. A wood bridge usually adds mellowness but not “deadness” like rubber.
I don’t know specifically but I have no doubt there’s old silvertone and danelectro vids here .
I vote for the grouting sponge !
That’s two for the sponge 🧽!
Does this not throw the intonation out as it effectively shortens the scale length?
It doesn’t shorten the effective scale length because these techniques are only mutes. They mute the vibration of the strings from the original bridge. If you replace the bridge, you keep the scale length identical as well.
Sponge is my personal preference of these three options! Thanks for trying it out for us!
Are you testing “rubber” bridge techniques? Come back and tell me if the sponge works for you.
@@RobertCassard I already had rubber weather stripping and tried that, got it to sound pretty good! Just posted about my version on r/telecaster using my red esquire with the bridge cover.
@@AJHillis Where can I find your post?
As an engineer, I love these ideas! I'll probably never use them - the music I play doesn't tend towards those tones... but maybe a bit of fun in a jam session one day....
Glad they appeal to your engineering side, Rebecca. Do they appeal to your musical side? Cheers!
@@RobertCassard Nah.... I like warm, ringing jazz tones... and slightly overdriven blues...... Most pop-type tones make me want to hide somewhere remote until the fad has been permanently consigned to history... never to return! Not that I'm cynical........ much......
@@rebeccaabraham8652 I get it…but give Ariel Posen a chance to woo you with his rubber bridge baritone: ua-cam.com/video/N3CqTCgzm1k/v-deo.html
Weather seal followed very closely by sponge..
I love it, Michael. Please a share audio samples if you record any. And tell us what guitar make and model, too!
They all sounded very useable to me. Great idea
Thanks, Amber. I agree...each has it's own magic
For the moment I’m using a microphone windscreen. The deadening effect is a little too much especially on the trebles but I hear what you’re getting at!
I’m trying to picture how you’re using the windscreen, martian… But no matter how, it’s a creative idea, and I’m glad it’s working well enough!
@@RobertCassard I just folded it in half and slid it under the strings up against the bridge. An sm58 sized windscreen.
@@martianmurray That explains it! A sponge windscreen. Not sure why, but I was picturing a pop filter, not a windscreen... My brain must've been turned off.
@@RobertCassard oh yeah it was a nylon string too so it had plenty of room, and it took the no-sustain to the extreme lol. Trebles were gone but the basses sounded cool. Gotta get a Waterslide for my jazzmaster now!
@@martianmurray jealous of your Jazzmaster. I love the sound of Madison Cunningham’s. I think she does standard tuning, down 2 whole steps. Low note is C.
Very nice 👍
Thanks for the visit, qwert!
Neato.
And you don't need to "frankinstein" your guitar to get that sound!
The weather seal sounds great!!
Yeah, a nice sort of high-frequency pop, right? Thanks for watching and sharing your opinion, Sam!
Thankyou legend 🙏
Glad you liked this. FYI - I just recorded a cover of The Beatles "Julia," using this rubber tube mute technique on two vintage Gibson acoustics. How do you like this? ua-cam.com/video/oc21zgCnnlQ/v-deo.htmlsi=LJOsA5Kh2T0lfg19
We used to call that muting and we did it with our hands. The great thing with doing it with your hands is that you can lift them off at any moment so the guitar sounds good again. I once had a Fender Jag that had a mechanical version of this that you could flip on and off at will. I never used it. Sounded gash!
Thanks, tezzo55. As an old-schooler myself, I’ve done A LOT of palm-muting in my day. LOL You must’ve missed my earlier rubber bridge video where I talk about the mutes like you had on your Jag: What's the BIG DEAL about RUBBER BRIDGE guitars?!
ua-cam.com/video/5vWIpwlXGpA/v-deo.html
Palm muting must be a forgotten technique, that's how we all do it in the studio and live with no external devices. I takes practice but can be utilized instantly while playing.
I’ve always used palm muting, too, but a rubber bridge gives a slightly rounder and more “bouncy” (and totally consistent) attack, and it frees up your entire right hand. All I can say is, it’s fun!
I think this is A) Geared toward newer and younger guitarists just getting into guitar because of its recent explosion, and B) More for people focused more on their singing and song writing chops that don’t necessarily consider themselves guitarists. Most people struggle to play more technical material, especially finger style, while singing at the same time.
@@idontgrillonwed As a general rule, you may be right. But I certainly don't fit those categories, and nor does Ariel Posen: ua-cam.com/video/N3CqTCgzm1k/v-deo.html
@@RobertCassard Ha. Yep! We both know that almost no rules don’t apply to that guy. Or Julian Lage…etc.
@@idontgrillonwed True. Excited that I'll be meeting Julian Lage in a couple weeks. Chris Thile is hosting an "Acousticamp" on Long Island and Julian is one of the faculty members. I'll be there with a guitar in hand!