Rich44 Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Ive been trying to solve this problem for a while now but haven't found much help. Basically: I get an noisy "impact" sound whenever I fret, of the string contacting the fret. The only way to describe it is a "metal on metal" sound, sort of like if you tap two spoons together (but with added twang), or perhaps if you make a "Teh" sound with your teeth (my desriptions aren't great ). Its mainly on the E and A string, but a quieter version of the sound exists on other strings, and its mostly around the 7th-16th frets. Its driving me mental and is really putting me off practising bass. Is it a technique problem, fret problem, neck problem? Ive tried playing softer and slower and improving my fretting technique but the problem still exists. There aren't many repair shops close enough to take it down to so its something Id have to sort it out myself. Please please help, before I end up ditching my bass. Grateful for any tips (make them simple). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 EQ settings make a big difference to the amount of 'clank' that comes through and it's worth experimenting with maybe less treble. As you strike the strings are you giving them a lot of 'up and down' as well as 'side to side' movement? Maybe changing how you 'pluck' (!) will make a difference.? Try playing closer to the bridge too that helps restrict string movement. Finall you could raise string height. I like clank btw, when it fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 It's likely to be insufficient relief in the neck - You need to slacken off the truss rod a tad. Rather than me re-type and make a mistake or copy and paste and take the credit, have a look at the Gary Willis website for a very good explanation [url="http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]Gary Willis[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich44 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 (edited) [quote name='bassbloke' post='110243' date='Dec 28 2007, 04:10 PM']It's likely to be insufficient relief in the neck - You need to slacken off the truss rod a tad. Rather than me re-type and make a mistake or copy and paste and take the credit, have a look at the Gary Willis website for a very good explanation [url="http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]Gary Willis[/url][/quote] That websites confused me, my truss rod is at the bottom of the neck not the top, so would i do it the same direction as if it were at the headstock or different? Im never good with direction Edited December 28, 2007 by Rich44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 (edited) With respect, if there's no fret buzz I wouldn't recommend leaping straight into trussrod adjustment but try the aforementioned 1st. I can get loadsa clank and all my trussrod adjustments are fine. Check your relief as per the site 1st. Good site if it does need doing though. To tighten the trussrod/reduce the relief turn clockwise towards the neck/rod whichever end the adjuster is (sometimes both). Peter Edited December 28, 2007 by GreeneKing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 The other possibility is that you have an insufficient break angle over the nut because your strings are wound too high on the tuning peg - unlikely though. A proud fret is another possibility. I doubt it's anything to do with playing style if you hear the noise before you even strike a string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Yet another possibility is that you're by now over-sensitive to it ... it is after all an *acoustic* annoyance on an electric instument - try either cranking up the amp (may be impractical...) or using headphones. (Keep practising - the 'clank is far less annoying once your rythm's spot-on) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Have a look / check through here - [url="http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Setup/BuzzDiagnosis/buzzlist.html"]http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Te...s/buzzlist.html[/url] Although it's for guitar, it's all the same principle. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Could just be The Action is a Tad Low.. I remember that sort of thing used to drive me crazy.... Until i was having lessons with a then BBC tv Player... He got me to take the Action up...[alot] I hated this at first..impossible to slap [Wrong approach.. ] But with constant Practise ..me old Fingers got stronger and i was away...Slapping and all. I just hate any noise...and it really shows up when you are DI ing or in the Studio... And have no time to F*** around with EQ etc.. But everyone has a different touch...so you could also be digging in to much for the action you have... As pointed out above...the Gary Willis link is a great start. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alun Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Out of interest, is it noticeable through the amp or just when playing unplugged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umph Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 less high mids / play away from the bottom of the neck / raise your action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich44 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 [quote name='lowdown' post='110278' date='Dec 28 2007, 06:05 PM']Could just be The Action is a Tad Low.. I remember that sort of thing used to drive me crazy.... Until i was having lessons with a then BBC tv Player... He got me to take the Action up...[alot][/quote] How high? Im not good at judging it, always think Im taking it up too much, is there a too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Your action is too high if you cannot fret properly or you cant adjust the intonation (pitch of fretted notes) and play in tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Where r u? Someone just may live around the corner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Rich, youve yet to say if this plugged in or accoustically? If its just when you are practising without being plugged in, I shouldnt let it wind you up to much. A little fret buzz or metallic fret clunk when you are playing unplugged is ok. If it continues when plugged in, I'd start by cahnging strings and then working through a set up guide, (or getting help if you dont feel confident) then if it still persists, its your playing technique. Do it logically and sequentially, or you may end up chasing your ar5e for ever and swapping basses like Beedster (no offence meant bud!) [size=1][color="#696969"]Actually he doesnt get thru that many, and its not for the same reason as you, hes' in search of ellusive mojo! [/color][/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 [quote name='The Burpster' post='110491' date='Dec 29 2007, 11:19 AM']Do it logically and sequentially, or you may end up chasing your ar5e for ever and swapping basses like Beedster (no offence meant bud!)[/quote] Lol..... Reminds me ..when i used to teach From Home... One Guy was going through High end Basses and Amps Like the clappers..[Rich Family] Every couple of weeks something new....and always sounding s***e... With a very very no action... He then went crusing with a band for 18 months [4 hours playing every night] Then when i next bumped into him...he had a 70's Jazz with a really high action.. And he had a really good sound...and had got really good articulation... Constant playing made his left hand fingers really strong.. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 A young lad I knew had the same problem, even after I had set his bass up properly with a slightly higher than normal action. We sat down and I watched him play and it transpired that his 'clank' was his left hand fretting technique, in that he was grabbing the neck quite hard in the palm of his hand, curling his thumb over edge of the fretboard and slapping his fingers down on the strings to fret them. We changed his playing style so that his thumb was well placed on the back of the neck and his fingers gently fretted each note before his pick struck the strings. The point is that we automatically assume the bass is badly set up, or that there is a problem with equipment..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebasshead Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Hi, you don't say what bass you have but another possibility is that your pickup(s) is/are too high and you're strings are hitting the polepieces. Of course if your pickup doesn't have raised polepieces you can discount that immediately, but worth checking otherwise if only to eliminate the possibility. Also, are you playing fingerstyle or with a pick? It could be your plucking technique - if it's too hard and in a more downward direction (i.e. down towards the bass, as opposed to the floor) you could be driving the strings towards the frets on the initial pluck, whereas plucking more across the strings will avoid that initial (and therefore most severe part of) motion. Regards, Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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