My good friend, Scotty Migone, has a Chet Atkins Gretsch guitar that has a built-in string damper by the bridge. You raise it or lower it with a toggle switch. Actually the toggle switch is just an actuating lever attached to an arm that is installed inside the hollow body of the Gretsch. At first I thought it was a useless feature, but now I know what to use it for. Thanks for your music, Jenni.
I give this woman credit although Eddie Van Halen is my favourite musician. These players are on two different planets so-to-speak. She wants to play CLEAN and effectively her style. Eddie is playing in a completely different style, thus no need for the damper. I learnt this when scalloping my guitars as an example for a reason of playing arpeggios more clearly. It's my style how I want and so is it for these artists; criticism only shows lack of self practice and closed-mindedness. Peace kids!
Theres nothing wrong with using a string dampener or a sock. You still have to play cleanly and presice, but with 8 finger, string skipping tapping style licks, you need to keep the noise down of the right hand fingers pulling off on diffrent strings. Guitar isnt a competition for how super human we are, if we can make our instruments work and our fingers work we can create any music we desire!
Nope--it's more like racing bike handle bars as opposed to old fashioned handlebars. You already know how to race, but the newer bars just make it more efficient in the long run. The damper doesn't change how you play--just makes it cleaner. The end result-the music- is more important than the techniques used in how you get there.
@mondocongo Haha, why don't you just ignore comments like whatsayestThough? There are a lot of ignorant people out there; you shouldn't bother wasting your time with all of them.
This would make playing things like Joe Satriani's "Power Cosmic" a hell of a lot easier. I use to have to stuff a bandanna under the strings and wiggle it back and forth until I found the right height to mute the strings.
I've thought about getting one of these for my Strat but I'm not sure if it would clear the locking nut that came with my Super-Vee tremolo. Is there a measured drawing of the damper so I can check before I order one?
Not an invalid pondering there. But I just found myself in a situation where I had to rent a Strat to finish my tour and couldn't mount a damper on it. After using one for over 20 years, I found that sloppiness was not a problem. There were a few situations I really wished I'd had it and for Flight of the Bumblebee I attached just the damper head with a rubberband as that would have really sucked without some help.
Oh, and i'm also not one of these purists who considers it 'Cheating', I think it CAN be useful in some cases, but not as your primary tool for practice.
The problem with these are that they allow you to get sloppy. Think about it, if you KNOW that you're not going to hear the classic fuck-up of hearing that *BONG* of an open string, you get sloppier because you know it won't happen. What will you do when you don't have one?
Hey, thanx for the dampers - got both models. It's great with single coils but AWESOME with my humbuckers! My LP and Gretsch just RANG on stage without them!! Thanks!
The sock idea lol. Its actually a better idea then what i use to do. I use slip napkis through from where the pick ups were and slide it down to the first fret. I see alot of guys using hair ties to do the job and what not.
It depends on your case. I remove the head of the damper for transport and put the thumb screw back in the arm hole for travel, so I don't lose it. I carry the damper head in a plastic soap container--JB
so many people say a lot of narrow-minded bullshit about string dampers, how 'cheating' it is,which is really stupid,and these are usually people who never achieved much in music.
This sort of silly purism never helped either the music or the musician. No one gives a shit if you play the guitar with a string damper, with your teeth, your nose or your buttocks, what matters are only THE RESULTS. The string damper is a very good and simple invention,born out of a necessity.
who's talking, a total FUCKING MORON WHO CAN'T EVEN SPELL PROPERLY,let alone express valid points. I hope that you don't play guitar the same way you write, otherwise I suggest you buy a kazoo and stick it in your buttocks,LMAO
you get advantages and disavantages, but if you think about it, what's an open string 'lick' ? Is a phrase with a PEDAL NOTE, and no one ever said that you must play pedal notes on open strings! You can play that pedal note on another string, it's up to the player to find the technique, the string damper allows for that, and that's the whole point. You just will have to think differently.
After almost a year of use I'm a complete fan of this damper (pleasee see video comment) and use it on two guitars, so thanks so much, even if the plastic part of it tends to be rather fragile (I already broke two of 'm). Question to Jennifer, is there a chance to make the whole damper in metal or alluminium in the future ? That would fantastic. Thanks so much, Hans
The string dampner takes a fraction of a second to lift off when you want to go back to the rhythem. He axact quotein this video 'when you back to hit the open harmonics, you just flip it out of the way"
...? how does that have anything to do with what im talking about i said practice more fuck the dampener the dampener makes u lazy, its fine if ur in a studio to make ur recording perfect though
oooohhhhhhk.......so this is the trick !! I thought those out there are really gods of guitar....and somhow manages to damp it with some invisible hand or som kinda ..well...watevr..never mind...
Dude I don't know who your responding to, but my comment was for the the guy who wanted to know how to play open chords. But to answer your question without insult witch seems some people either can't do, or must have lost something in translation the dampnerhas a totaly different purpopse. I've even seen the guy in Symphoney X use a dampner, that guy has actually made it in the busness and he still practices like10 hours a day.
It's not for cleaning up sweeps. Also, this isn't some two-bit guitarist we're talking about. Batten is superb, and it's not cheating any more than any other guitar effect, pedal or accessory is. You may as well tell everyone to play acoustic because distortion is easier. Essentially, she is where she is and you are where you are, which is . . . ?
i swear ever person who replys to me has got to be fucking retarded and ur all so defencive its funny bc u know im rite just practice and you will be proud of youself when its all said and done
I don't think anyone needs to be defensive of using a piece of equipment/approach that is used by, to name just two, Jenny Batten and Greg Howe - professional players beyond compare and reproach. I don't know you're right at all. Do you use distortion? Well, that's easier than playing clean - so we should all just practise, right?
Different players, different approaches and preferences. It's that simple. And until you've toured the world with Michael Jackson, your viewpoint can be ignored.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
fuck micheal jackson im talkin about playin guitar yes i do use distortion and that doesnt make shit simpler it makes the sound that makes it harder for me to sweep bc theres more extra noise and i dont give a fuck about this bitch touring with micheal jackson hes a rapeist and she cant play guitar
Ah, you're outstanding. He wasn't a rapist, and by any measure - Batten CAN play guitar. As can Greg Howe, another player who damps his strings artificially. If you want to challenge either of them and their extensive professional careers, you'll need to work pretty hard.
Rapist? He was ACCUSED of child molestation. Those are two different things, but nonetheless, he wasn't either of those two things. Accusations are NOT facts; do your research. And, Jennifer Batten is one of the best female guitarists, if not the best female guitarist today. Her accomplishments speak for themselves. Maybe one day you'll be a fourth as good as she is.
in reality these defensive guys are just envious because they PRACTICE but the thing is, they never understood that PRACTICING does not mean touring with Michael Jackson, lol
I agree, all that 'cheating' crap is just that,crap. No one cares how you do it, what matters is what ends up on the record. Like Jason Becker said when they asked him if he used an high string action,he said 'No,I use it very low, I don't need to be an hero'. Exactly. All these puppies saying that easier means cheating, are just full of it. Nothing is easier, and with any advantages come up disadvantages. It's just a different way to do the same thing and ultimately it's the artist's preference
Jennifer Batten is cool! I just got mine from all Parts, and while I like the concept, I wonder why there isn't any mecanism with springs in it ? I mean the allen screw works, but not always, sometimes while playing there isn't enough pressure on the chords, so it doesn't damp all strings. From some older models I see there where springs on it which I would prefer.
Hello Jennifer, thanks so much for your reply :) I sqhould have test a little more before posting my comment ... after playing with it for a few hours today (I use it on my Washburn N6), I finally am feeling confortable with it and you're right, the tension of the allen wrench wasn't ok when I first tried it. Thanks for the great music & playing! btw is there hope to see a new Washburn JB model in the near future ? Hans
Way to go Jenn...if it does the job thats all that matters! Thanks for coming to dumpy little Abbotsford for your clinic, it was great!
ellonysman 1 year ago
What a stupid design. No wonder; it was desinged by a woman ;)
Seriously hows it so hard to make a clamp-locked damper, so that you can remove that ugly thing without removing the tuning keys or strings.
MoowChair 1 year ago
WTF Van Eps would need a damper back in the 50's???
KingTabor 1 year ago
@KingTabor GEORGE USED IT AS WELL AS HERB ELLIS AND LOADS OF OTHER JAZZERS TO CONTROL THE RING SUBTLE OVERTONES
mondocongo 1 year ago
this thing is ugly as a snakefish!
KingTabor 1 year ago
@KingTabor BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEERHOLDER:-)
mondocongo 1 year ago 8
My good friend, Scotty Migone, has a Chet Atkins Gretsch guitar that has a built-in string damper by the bridge. You raise it or lower it with a toggle switch. Actually the toggle switch is just an actuating lever attached to an arm that is installed inside the hollow body of the Gretsch. At first I thought it was a useless feature, but now I know what to use it for. Thanks for your music, Jenni.
RockerDave12 1 year ago
I give this woman credit although Eddie Van Halen is my favourite musician. These players are on two different planets so-to-speak. She wants to play CLEAN and effectively her style. Eddie is playing in a completely different style, thus no need for the damper. I learnt this when scalloping my guitars as an example for a reason of playing arpeggios more clearly. It's my style how I want and so is it for these artists; criticism only shows lack of self practice and closed-mindedness. Peace kids!
RandomMasterJames 1 year ago
for the millenium!!!
tomsie1000 1 year ago
You just flip it out of the way if you want to hit the first fret or use open string or harmonics.
mondocongo 1 year ago
looks like the damper gets in the way of the 1st fret so that if you want it open you can't really hit the first fret with your fingers very well,
metaljazzblues23 1 year ago
Batten down the hatches!
WildWillyParsons 1 year ago
After all these years you still rock Jennifer! Your like the luckiest chick ever, you toured with MJ! Keep rocking JB your a beast!
MJsNumberOneSex1987 1 year ago
Theres nothing wrong with using a string dampener or a sock. You still have to play cleanly and presice, but with 8 finger, string skipping tapping style licks, you need to keep the noise down of the right hand fingers pulling off on diffrent strings. Guitar isnt a competition for how super human we are, if we can make our instruments work and our fingers work we can create any music we desire!
bicmed88 1 year ago
i remember greg howe use handbands to damp strings?
emperorof420 1 year ago
Yeah but isn't that a little bit like training wheels on a bike??? Just a lilllltle bit???
WhatSayestThou 1 year ago
@WhatSayestThou
Nope--it's more like racing bike handle bars as opposed to old fashioned handlebars. You already know how to race, but the newer bars just make it more efficient in the long run. The damper doesn't change how you play--just makes it cleaner. The end result-the music- is more important than the techniques used in how you get there.
mondocongo 1 year ago 6
@mondocongo Haha, why don't you just ignore comments like whatsayestThough? There are a lot of ignorant people out there; you shouldn't bother wasting your time with all of them.
partlyshady 1 year ago
@mondocongo
The craftmanship put into the music plays a big role for me. But that's just my opinion.
ragrytakr 1 year ago
Absolutely brilliant!
This would make playing things like Joe Satriani's "Power Cosmic" a hell of a lot easier. I use to have to stuff a bandanna under the strings and wiggle it back and forth until I found the right height to mute the strings.
Hat's off to you Jennifer...you just made a sale.
fangofbaelin 1 year ago
I've thought about getting one of these for my Strat but I'm not sure if it would clear the locking nut that came with my Super-Vee tremolo. Is there a measured drawing of the damper so I can check before I order one?
PaulShreds 1 year ago
amazing product where can i buy it because i am from guatemala
bienesvi 1 year ago
I guess I need to work on tapping with more than one finger. :)
eddana2 1 year ago
eddy van halen never needed one. I don't think stanley jorden did either. What if you want to play the first fret?
eddana2 1 year ago
@eddana2 Eddie taps with just one finger and Jordan plays clean. First fret or harmonics?? just flip it up with your thumb--JB
mondocongo 1 year ago
@eddana2 Stanley Jordan never used distortion and Eddie Van Halen usually tapped with just one finger so he had others to mute with.
dorielementary 1 year ago
a rubberband works and is alot cheaper.
oceangoyo 1 year ago
Not an invalid pondering there. But I just found myself in a situation where I had to rent a Strat to finish my tour and couldn't mount a damper on it. After using one for over 20 years, I found that sloppiness was not a problem. There were a few situations I really wished I'd had it and for Flight of the Bumblebee I attached just the damper head with a rubberband as that would have really sucked without some help.
mondocongo 1 year ago
Oh, and i'm also not one of these purists who considers it 'Cheating', I think it CAN be useful in some cases, but not as your primary tool for practice.
Butzopower 1 year ago
The problem with these are that they allow you to get sloppy. Think about it, if you KNOW that you're not going to hear the classic fuck-up of hearing that *BONG* of an open string, you get sloppier because you know it won't happen. What will you do when you don't have one?
Butzopower 1 year ago
I'll bet George Van Eps would have loved this!!!!
Guitfiddlejase 1 year ago
Hey, thanx for the dampers - got both models. It's great with single coils but AWESOME with my humbuckers! My LP and Gretsch just RANG on stage without them!! Thanks!
mondocongo 2 years ago
Pretty cool!
zagnit 2 years ago
The sock idea lol. Its actually a better idea then what i use to do. I use slip napkis through from where the pick ups were and slide it down to the first fret. I see alot of guys using hair ties to do the job and what not.
reaperofgenocide 2 years ago
guitars hard enought to play aso i reckon anything that can help is cool. will my guitar fit in its case woth this fitted thought???????
strabbs1 2 years ago
It depends on your case. I remove the head of the damper for transport and put the thumb screw back in the arm hole for travel, so I don't lose it. I carry the damper head in a plastic soap container--JB
mondocongo 2 years ago
so many people say a lot of narrow-minded bullshit about string dampers, how 'cheating' it is,which is really stupid,and these are usually people who never achieved much in music.
This sort of silly purism never helped either the music or the musician. No one gives a shit if you play the guitar with a string damper, with your teeth, your nose or your buttocks, what matters are only THE RESULTS. The string damper is a very good and simple invention,born out of a necessity.
luigiperso 2 years ago
fuckinnnn retardddd
brandonthuck 2 years ago
who's talking, a total FUCKING MORON WHO CAN'T EVEN SPELL PROPERLY,let alone express valid points. I hope that you don't play guitar the same way you write, otherwise I suggest you buy a kazoo and stick it in your buttocks,LMAO
luigiperso 2 years ago
i cant find this damper . i gues i am gona use a ruber and peace of paper :D
verylowiq 2 years ago
How will the string damper make you lazy?You still have to move your hands to play but not good for open string harmonics and sustain.......
sambo75420 2 years ago
you get advantages and disavantages, but if you think about it, what's an open string 'lick' ? Is a phrase with a PEDAL NOTE, and no one ever said that you must play pedal notes on open strings! You can play that pedal note on another string, it's up to the player to find the technique, the string damper allows for that, and that's the whole point. You just will have to think differently.
luigiperso 2 years ago
you got the point!
watchthisOo 2 years ago
After almost a year of use I'm a complete fan of this damper (pleasee see video comment) and use it on two guitars, so thanks so much, even if the plastic part of it tends to be rather fragile (I already broke two of 'm). Question to Jennifer, is there a chance to make the whole damper in metal or alluminium in the future ? That would fantastic. Thanks so much, Hans
hansvaneven 2 years ago
well you obviously have the internet
jclp777 2 years ago
VERY COOL
PCP68 2 years ago
Listen to "Walter Seitz" Guitar Solo in Youtube...
chiclana185 2 years ago
Not lazy when u have both hands going--just cleaner
mondocongo 2 years ago
no lazy
brandonthuck 2 years ago
The string dampner takes a fraction of a second to lift off when you want to go back to the rhythem. He axact quotein this video 'when you back to hit the open harmonics, you just flip it out of the way"
licksandtricksdotcom 2 years ago
...? how does that have anything to do with what im talking about i said practice more fuck the dampener the dampener makes u lazy, its fine if ur in a studio to make ur recording perfect though
brandonthuck 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
lazy as fuck, use your hands to damp the strings
nblax41 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
boo
synesthesia67 2 years ago
mindlessness defined : D
heyawhaw 2 years ago
oooohhhhhhk.......so this is the trick !! I thought those out there are really gods of guitar....and somhow manages to damp it with some invisible hand or som kinda ..well...watevr..never mind...
dhakagod 3 years ago
there are guitar gods that dont cheat like this there just hard to find
brandonthuck 2 years ago
ook....
dhakagod 2 years ago
Dude I don't know who your responding to, but my comment was for the the guy who wanted to know how to play open chords. But to answer your question without insult witch seems some people either can't do, or must have lost something in translation the dampnerhas a totaly different purpopse. I've even seen the guy in Symphoney X use a dampner, that guy has actually made it in the busness and he still practices like10 hours a day.
licksandtricksdotcom 2 years ago
all im saying is if u cant play clean sweeps etc. dont buy a dampener just practice idk why no one understands what im saying
brandonthuck 2 years ago
It's not for cleaning up sweeps. Also, this isn't some two-bit guitarist we're talking about. Batten is superb, and it's not cheating any more than any other guitar effect, pedal or accessory is. You may as well tell everyone to play acoustic because distortion is easier. Essentially, she is where she is and you are where you are, which is . . . ?
Th1sWasATriumph 2 years ago
i swear ever person who replys to me has got to be fucking retarded and ur all so defencive its funny bc u know im rite just practice and you will be proud of youself when its all said and done
brandonthuck 2 years ago
I don't think anyone needs to be defensive of using a piece of equipment/approach that is used by, to name just two, Jenny Batten and Greg Howe - professional players beyond compare and reproach. I don't know you're right at all. Do you use distortion? Well, that's easier than playing clean - so we should all just practise, right?
Different players, different approaches and preferences. It's that simple. And until you've toured the world with Michael Jackson, your viewpoint can be ignored.
Th1sWasATriumph 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
fuck micheal jackson im talkin about playin guitar yes i do use distortion and that doesnt make shit simpler it makes the sound that makes it harder for me to sweep bc theres more extra noise and i dont give a fuck about this bitch touring with micheal jackson hes a rapeist and she cant play guitar
brandonthuck 2 years ago
Ah, you're outstanding. He wasn't a rapist, and by any measure - Batten CAN play guitar. As can Greg Howe, another player who damps his strings artificially. If you want to challenge either of them and their extensive professional careers, you'll need to work pretty hard.
Th1sWasATriumph 2 years ago
i do work very hard for starters by not useing a fuckin dampener
brandonthuck 2 years ago
Buy a dampener, you are working too hard and it's making you ill, LMAO
luigiperso 2 years ago
Comment removed
chadsterRazZi 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Rapist? He was ACCUSED of child molestation. Those are two different things, but nonetheless, he wasn't either of those two things. Accusations are NOT facts; do your research. And, Jennifer Batten is one of the best female guitarists, if not the best female guitarist today. Her accomplishments speak for themselves. Maybe one day you'll be a fourth as good as she is.
chadsterRazZi 2 years ago
find a doctor,man,you need one ASAP. Peace...
luigiperso 2 years ago
in reality these defensive guys are just envious because they PRACTICE but the thing is, they never understood that PRACTICING does not mean touring with Michael Jackson, lol
luigiperso 2 years ago
I agree, all that 'cheating' crap is just that,crap. No one cares how you do it, what matters is what ends up on the record. Like Jason Becker said when they asked him if he used an high string action,he said 'No,I use it very low, I don't need to be an hero'. Exactly. All these puppies saying that easier means cheating, are just full of it. Nothing is easier, and with any advantages come up disadvantages. It's just a different way to do the same thing and ultimately it's the artist's preference
luigiperso 2 years ago 2
I use a sponge and rubber band. works really well
MorbidEdward 3 years ago 7
This has been flagged as spam show
why doesn't she just learn to play clearly
Dothackfreak11 3 years ago
you or anybody else have nothing to teach to this woman. she is one of the best.
raphexe 3 years ago 23
JENNIFER BATTEN is METALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL \M/
tommyindramayu 3 years ago 16
The problem is it takes up the whole first fret...You dont have to make it "that" big.
samgc14 3 years ago
By having the damper material THAT big, it does a much better job. If you need the first fret, you just flick it out of the way
mondocongo 3 years ago
whoa crazy ass tapping
shitastic31 3 years ago
Jennifer is totally fucking cool!!!
recordingsoftheflesh 3 years ago
She is so so awesome. 5 stars
SHAPESHIFTERRECORDS 3 years ago
The damper is really cool but I love the technicue where you use the left hand as a damper and use right the hand to play.
Like Joe Satriani does :)
But the damper is really nice to have.
WARP10CK 3 years ago 3
I meant use the right hand to tap out the notes :)
WARP10CK 3 years ago
Jennifer Batten is so cool. One of the all-time greats. Rock on!!!
BrothaManFromDa5thFl 3 years ago 5
batios greatest invention
Sparda455 3 years ago 3
Jennifer Batten is cool! I just got mine from all Parts, and while I like the concept, I wonder why there isn't any mecanism with springs in it ? I mean the allen screw works, but not always, sometimes while playing there isn't enough pressure on the chords, so it doesn't damp all strings. From some older models I see there where springs on it which I would prefer.
hansvaneven 3 years ago
Use the allen wrench to tighten the tension. If the felt is not getting all the strings it sounds like the damper wasn't centered properly.-JB
mondocongo 3 years ago
Hello Jennifer, thanks so much for your reply :) I sqhould have test a little more before posting my comment ... after playing with it for a few hours today (I use it on my Washburn N6), I finally am feeling confortable with it and you're right, the tension of the allen wrench wasn't ok when I first tried it. Thanks for the great music & playing! btw is there hope to see a new Washburn JB model in the near future ? Hans
hansvaneven 3 years ago
WHERE CAN I GET THIS!!!
rebelgamer94 3 years ago
Very nice!
I want one!
^^
radaniba 4 years ago 3