Gruvgear Fretwrap MD

I've been using these fret wraps for about 4 years on my 5 string basses and I've buying this one to replace my first one. They're really useful both live and in the studio to keep everything sounding clean when you're playing slap or tapping as they mute the unwanted open strings. I find them particularly useful when playing slap grooves live that I'm having to transpose with wedding bands as I can use it as a false nut (like a capo) to limit my range of notes to what I need to play for the song and it prevents open strings from ringing out when I'm playing a line in a place on the fretboard I'm not use to while having to perform BVs and look like I'm having fun performing. This one is to replace my first one, the velcro has degraded to the point that it no long sticks after years of use - you're going to have to replace them same as strings and picks but hopefully not as often. Worthwhile bit of kit.

I must admit that I bought one of these because I wasn't quite sure if I was hearing correctly; in particular, what the nice people in the Thomann VT demo were saying. The implication seemed to be that, all of a sudden, for whatever reason, we bass players had lost the ability to use open strings correctly. Instead of producing notes of a similar timbre and envelope when compared to their fretted relatives, apparently an open B, E, A, D or G (sorry, I don't do six strings) provided nothing less than an enormity of sustained resonance (or similar).

Clearly, this was not, in the least, tolerable and hence, we were all in need of muffles, or rather, fret wraps. Allegedly, they could be used further up the neck too, but again, I wasn't trusting my ears; so ordering one seemed appropriate.

A short time later it arrived. I unpacked it and looked at it. I looked at it again; and again; and, maybe some more. But, eventually, I went off to play a few of my basses; just to check that I had indeed lost the ability to muffle open string notes (and others), for whatever reason, after over 40 years of bass playing. I hadn't. Seriously; I double-checked: I hadn't. I could still play an open string in pretty much any fashion I wanted i.e., from a muted percussive effect (with no standard pitch correlation) to a full-blown resonating calamity; as you might find appropriate at the end of a Neil Young track e.g., Welfare Mothers. But, then again, I can do that with a fretted note too!

So, I went and looked at the fret wrap again, upon which I decided to place it, out of the way, above the nut, on my six-string bass; the instrument I will never own. But, at least the fret wrap would be safe until that time which will never arrive because, just like a six-string bass, I have no need of such an item and, I'm damned sure I never will; as I would imagine is true for many other bass players; at least in terms of fret wraps!

So. In summary. Fret wraps? Gimme a break; whatever next? A six-string bass, perhaps? Seriously? Okay then, as long as it comes with its own fret wraps, I guess that will be okay (not).

PS: And if you really must, make your own out of Velcro; at least it will save you some money and give you a wrap that fits your bass properly. Although why?; why? why? ...

I'd have expected a medium to be a good fit for a 5-string bass, but you have to wrap it around to a point where the Velcro doesn't catch easily. This is on a 19mm first fret, 45mm nut.

Dampening effect, once it sits well, is very good and does what it should. I might get a 'small' at some point, see whether it's any better.

Grossly overpriced, but easy to get and easy to use (when you have the correct size). I'm using it on my guitar now, where it's a better fit, but I don't use it much on guitar. I don't regret buying it, though, and I've got a bass in the post that may have a slightly fatter neck.