NicBass Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Hi I'm mainly a double bass player and am now starting to really want to get to grips with bass guitar. One problem I seem to have is that my two picking/plucking main fingers in the right hand seem to make scratchy noises on the bass guitar strings (from the pads I've developed from playing double bass) when I'm playing. Is my technique wrong? Has anybody else experienced this and knows what I'm doing and how to rectify it? If I flatten my fingers a bit and play quieter it helps but there is still scratchy noise potential.. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassApprentice Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Hello, I may be wrong, are the strings on your electric bass roundwound? They generally produce finger noise for everyone, just the nature of the strings! If it is really irritating you you could buy flatwound strings (the same feel as D Bass strings) which would reduce the finger noise. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I would expect the OP is not complaining about noise from a string-less bass...... Are you playing too hard perhaps? Due to the high action and string tension on double bass I would expect you to perhaps be a little heavy handed on a bass guitar. This in turn may cause the pads on your fingers to make more noise than normal. A straighter finger, softer touch and plucking the string with the tip of your finger may help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKenrick Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I went through this exact situation when I started playing upright, having been an electric-only player for 10 years; I found that having thicker calluses on my right hand fingers changed my tone when I went back to electric and it wasn't to my liking. For me, it accentuated the high mid frequencies and I definitely felt that my tone was 'scratchier', even on a dead-sounding p-bass with flats. For a while I really disliked the sound of my own fingers which is a disconcerting thing, to say the least. Experimenting with different EQ settings and right hand placement helped to remove some of it - I don't really know if it 'fixed' the problem or I've just got used to it. So yeah, I feel your pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicBass Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 Thanks everyone. I have tried flatwound strings which did help a bit but weren't great for the more funky type stuff.. also tried experimenting with EQ and finger positioning and I do think I'm probably playing a bit too hard... However it's also good to know that it's not just me who's had this problem and certainly glad and kinda comforted that someone else, at least, feels my pain! Cheers Bigears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 You could try to moisturise? It will make your callouses a bit more leathery - tough but supple and less scratchy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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