You can always just stuff Kleenex under the bridge, if you wanna cut the sound down to nuthin'. I did that for years. What I was after with the mute I put together was an actual clarity of tone....but much quieter....sort of dulcimer like. Went through several thicknesses of brass to get a timbre I liked.

Another good trick is a chunk of foam rubber, and don't forget Pete's advice from his book for an OPEN back banjo...a diaper!

Rick