Guitar Mute Tool

thingiverse

Hey friends, Are you tired of strumming your acoustic guitar and scaring off family and friends (or even yourself) with your playing? Welcome, I'm right there with you! My own lackluster playing skills are an ear-shattering ordeal for everyone around. So, I decided to create a solution. This tool is similar to ones available in music stores, but made with affordable materials - except for the printer, of course, which I assume most people have by now. This tool makes it easy to adjust the pressure on your guitar strings and mute level. And, as an added bonus, it won't damage your instrument. No risk of scratching the table or harming your beloved guitar! Here's what you'll need: * A kitchen sponge (you can experiment with other flexible materials) * A 30mm M3 nut and bolt * An elastic band Now, let's get started! First, print out the two parts. The lower part has a groove that will sit near your guitar table. Next, cut the kitchen sponge into two pieces: * One piece should be 20mm wide and 15mm high (including a scraper for the upper part) * Another piece should be 10mm wide and 5mm high for the lower part Once you've printed out the parts, I recommend embedding the bolt head in the print. This will ensure that nothing touches your guitar. Now it's time to assemble everything: * Insert the sponge pieces into their respective slots (see picture). You can glue the smaller piece into its groove, but it's not necessary for the larger one. * Adjust the distance between the two parts using my Stopnut tool (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2696399). This will help you find the perfect balance. Remember, all of this depends on your kitchen sponge's density and your desired mute level. Experiment and adjust until it feels just right! When everything is in place, you can glue the nut to secure the tool - but don't feel obligated; you may need to swap out the sponge someday. To use your new tool, simply drag it along your guitar strings while holding down the opposite side with an elastic band. That's it! I hope this helps. If you have any suggestions or create something based on this design, please share a comment or post a picture.