String Dampener for guitar: why should you use one?
Greetings, fellow Shred fans! You may have noticed that a lot of today’s top guitarists use some kind of string dampener to improve clarity and enhance the sound of their instrument. These devices work by reducing the amount of vibration and noise that is produced by the strings, which can help to reduce or eliminate unwanted string noise and give the guitar a more focused and precise sound.
They are especially useful when using advanced techniques such as sweep picking and two hand tapping.
Benefits of using a string dampener
If you’re working on some of these advanced techniques, you’ve probably wondered how your favorite players are able to get such a clean sound. While the Shred Masters have usually developed habits of muting unused strings with parts of either of their hands, a string dampener or fret wrap is often used in addition to this type of muting.
It gives a shredder a lot more control over their sound and helps ensure that their lightning fast licks can be heard distinctly without being drowned out in a mess of string vibrations and noise.
There are several options available on the market for dampening the strings, even an amazing invention by one of my top favorite shredders of all time, the legendary Michael Angelo Batio!
If we’re talking about sheer popularity, however, the clear winner goes to the Fretwrap. Let’s take a quick look at both of these amazing inventions that have helped bring clarity to thousands of shred guitarists advanced techniques.
Fretwrap String Dampener
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The Fretwrap by Gruvgear is a professional string dampener and muting accessory that is ideal for use in recording studios, live performances, and other creative situations where you want to eliminate overtones and sympathetic resonance.
It is an adjustable strap made of thick fabric and hook and loop material that fits over the headstock of the guitar and can be fine-tuned to provide the desired level of pressure and dampening on the strings.
The Fretwrap is quick and easy to use, and does not require any special modification, installation, or tools for your guitar. It is effective at cutting unwanted string noise and ringing, and is especially useful for two-hand tapping techniques. It’s easy to slide behind the nut of the guitar when you need to go back to using your open strings and then slide it back over the 1st or 2nd fret when you’re going back to a section using extreme finger tapping or sweep picking techniques.
The Fretwrap comes in a variety of color schemes and four different sizes to fit a range of guitar and bass guitar types. It is a must-have accessory for any studio, session player, or tapping aficionado.
Demo of the Fretwrap by Brandon Baker
Michael Angelo Batio’s Chromacast
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This sleek and stylish string dampener was designed by the legendary shredder himself and is perfect for those who want to add a touch of rockstar flair to their setup.
It’s easy to apply and helps to reduce excess vibrations, giving you a more controlled and focused sound.
MAB describes his Chromacast string dampener as being designed to function as a “third hand” when playing the guitar, eliminating extraneous or unwanted string noise and feedback, and helping to “clean up” the sound of the instrument. It is completely adjustable and can be moved out of the way when not in use. Overall, the Chromacast string dampener is an innovative and effective tool that is easy to use and looks great.
The man himself, demonstrating some face melting alternate picking using the Chromacast
A demo video of the Chromacast by a very young GuitarMAX in his early days
So there you have it, folks – the top 2 options for string dampening and fret wrapping. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or just starting out, these tools can help you take your sound to the next level and help you achieve the same clarity with advanced techniques that you’ve come to expect from your favorite players.
Shred on!
-Anton