Ernie Ball 9646 John Petrucci Signature String Damper

Professional String Dampener for Clean, Noise-Free Performance

The John Petrucci Signature FretWrap by Gruv Gear is a professional string dampener built for the precision demands of progressive metal, technical shred, two-hand tapping, and any high-gain situation where sympathetic resonance gets in the way of the take. Engineered in collaboration with the Dream Theater guitarist, this Small (SM) version acts as a "virtual third hand," silencing unwanted overtones and open-string ringing during recording, live performance, or practice sessions. It wraps around the neck just behind the nut, requires no tools, no installation, and no permanent modification to the instrument — players simply slide it on, set the pressure, and play. The John Petrucci Signature FretWrap by Gruv Gear is the right choice for guitarists and bassists who need a fast, repeatable way to control string noise without reaching for a cloth or a second hand.

What Sets This FretWrap Apart

What makes this model stand out in the FretWrap line is the signature treatment: Petrucci's personal red logo marks the wrap, and the design was tuned to his exacting standards for high-gain clarity. The adjustable strap is the core engineering feature — it lets the player fine-tune the dampening pressure from a soft, transparent dampening that preserves natural sustain to a hard mute that fully silences open strings during complex tapping passages. A low-profile body slides easily over the headstock when the wrap is not in use, so it stays out of the way between songs or during setup changes.

Compatibility and Fit — Choose the Right Size

Size selection is the single most important decision when buying a FretWrap, because the wrap must contact the strings evenly across the neck width to dampen them effectively. The Small size is engineered for the most common instrument formats, making it the default choice for the majority of players.

• Size: Small (SM) — the standard option for typical-scale instruments
• Fits: 4-string basses, 6-string electric guitars, 6-string acoustic guitars, and ukuleles — covers the most common electric, acoustic, and bass formats
• Manufacturer Part Number: P09646 — Ernie Ball SKU for this signature model

Dampening Performance and Use Cases

The dampening action is what the FretWrap is actually sold for, and the adjustable strap is the mechanism that makes the same wrap work across very different playing situations. From studio overdubs to live tapping solos, the wrap's pressure can be reset in seconds to match the task at hand.

• Function: Cuts overtones, sympathetic resonance, and open-string vibrations — eliminates the ringing that bleeds into high-gain recordings and live mixes
• Adjustable strap: Variable pressure from soft dampening to full mute — one wrap covers light touch playing, tapping, and aggressive rhythm work
• Use cases: Studio recording, two-hand tapping, high-gain rhythm playing, live performance — the scenarios where string noise is most audible

Design and On-Instrument Behavior

How the wrap sits on the instrument matters as much as how it dampens, because a bulky accessory can interfere with hand movement and stage setup. Gruv Gear engineered the wrap to stay out of the way when it is not actively damping the strings.

• Low-profile design: Slides over the headstock when not in use — no need to remove it between songs or store it separately
• Installation: No tools, no modification, no permanent changes to the instrument — slide on, adjust, play
• Signature styling: Adorned with John Petrucci's personal red logo — a visual marker that ties the wrap to the artist's tone and playing style