Paddle! Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 Hello I have only recently started playing the bass so this may seem like a silly question. I seem to get an awful lot of noise purely from my fingers pressing down on the frets. The strings make a clicking noise everytime and its really very irritating. I try to play as gently as possible but the problem is always there. Just wondering if this is my technique, the strings or the bass and if there is a way to rectify it? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 It might be technique. If you are using roundwound strings then they produce a lot more treble and will click more when you fret a note. You could try turning the tone on your bass down a bit which might help reduce the click. Flatwound strings will reduce the top end of the tone (treble), are much smother on your fingers and usually give a much warmer tone. It might also be worth your while taking the bass for a setup. Most instrument shops will have a tech who can do this or find a recommended luthier on here who can advise you. Where are you based? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 (edited) Technique combined with action & strings - mostly overcome with practise - develop a smoooth style, try a fretless I'd make sure the nut is cut deep enough & the action as low as you like, then practise minimal finger pressure onto each fret with a smooth style. BTW - not a silly question at all & welcome to the machine Edited February 24, 2013 by KiOgon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 Get your bass set up properly for how you play. Sounds obvious, but seriously, it will make the whole thing more playable. Don't be put off by anyone who says that you won't understand set-up if you've only just started. Anyone who says that is a twat of the highest order. Walk away. I have personally made £40 bass guitars perform like £4000 instruments,[u] in the eyes of their owners.[/u] Set-up is everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddle! Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 Cool, will work on the technique. Personally I didn't think it would be worth getting the bass set up properly since its only an old Encore thing I got for peanuts! Thought getting your bass set up was only for people who were sh*t hot bass players with basses to match Whats the going rate for setting up a bass? I'm in Oban so not sure if there's anyone nearby able to do it. Thanks again Pretty helpful forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 "an old Encore thing" can be made very playable, you're fighting not playing without a decent setup, do yourself a favour & find someone 'nearby' who can have a look & advise or even show you how to do your own setup. Bring it down to Bexhill & I'll have a look for you only 575 miles apparently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 A bit of technique and strings, I'd say. It gets better with practice, but roundwound strings always have some string noise. If it bothers you a lot, you could try groundwound or flatwound strings, which are much smoother... but sound a bit different. Also, if you turn treble control down (or tone control if passive bass), the string noise goes down a lot, and you will not really hear it once mixed with a band, Try to play as clean as you can, of course, but if you listen to the isolated bass tracks from many well known bass players, you will find that there is often a lot of noise... you just don't hear it once mixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddle! Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 575 miles, by time I payed for petrol I could have sent it some master luthier in the backwoods of Romania, who spends six weeks fondling the thing before setting it up I think google is my friend on this one, how hard can it be........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 [quote name='Paddle!' timestamp='1361748108' post='1990383'] Cool, will work on the technique. Personally I didn't think it would be worth getting the bass set up properly since its only an old Encore thing I got for peanuts! Thought getting your bass set up was only for people who were sh*t hot bass players with basses to match Whats the going rate for setting up a bass? I'm in Oban so not sure if there's anyone nearby able to do it. Thanks again Pretty helpful forum [/quote] I tried an old Encore P bass that was very very nice! Don't knock it! Get it set up nicely, and it will help you play more comfortably and sound better. Set ups are for everybody... yes, YOU! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddle! Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1361749022' post='1990402'] A bit of technique and strings, I'd say. It gets better with practice, but roundwound strings always have some string noise. If it bothers you a lot, you could try groundwound or flatwound strings, which are much smoother... but sound a bit different. Also, if you turn treble control down (or tone control if passive bass), the string noise goes down a lot, and you will not really hear it once mixed with a band, Try to play as clean as you can, of course, but if you listen to the isolated bass tracks from many well known bass players, you will find that there is often a lot of noise... you just don't hear it once mixed. [/quote] Cheers! The impression I'm getting is that it could be combination of things then. Have been thinking about flatwound strings. But I have an awful habit of spending more time tinkering with instruments then learning to play them, I keep finding bits of a trombone in my sock drawer for instance, some day when I find out where I put the rest of it I might learn to play it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebassmusic Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 As others have said, a good set up can change an OK bass into a good bass - both playability and sound. No point in fighting your bass, you might as well make learning etc as easy as possible. Heres a link for instructions on how to do a set up..... [url="http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/store/books/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-perfect-bass-setup.html"]http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/store/books/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-perfect-bass-setup.html[/url] Theres no marketing gumph associated with this download so you dont recieve lots of mails afterwards. I've always done my own set-ups for years and I found the book well worth every penny it didnt cost If you're ever near Aberdeen I might be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 [quote name='Acebassmusic' timestamp='1361788567' post='1990676'] As others have said, a good set up can change an OK bass into a good bass - both playability and sound. No point in fighting your bass, you might as well make learning etc as easy as possible. Heres a link for instructions on how to do a set up..... [url="http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/store/books/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-perfect-bass-setup.html"]http://www.jerzydroz...bass-setup.html[/url] Theres no marketing gumph associated with this download so you dont recieve lots of mails afterwards. I've always done my own set-ups for years and I found the book well worth every penny it didnt cost If you're ever near Aberdeen I might be able to help. [/quote] I use this as well. It's been a massive help to me. Haven't purchased the book but i use an online PDF version (Which i've just remembered is saved in the bookmarks on my old PC that's now died, best dig it out). Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 A set up will reduce fret buzz for sure ..... that clacky buzz that you can get as the note rings on if the action is a bit low. However, IME the main reasons for a lot of "clank" as you actually fret and play a note is down to EQ. Try reducing your high mids and/or treble on the amp, or turning your tone down and the fretting noise will be less obvious. Yes, technique and smoothness does also make a difference, and it's also worth a mention that a lot of rock players actually really like a lot of "clank" when they play a note. A decent set-up will always make a bass more pleasant to play and less of a fight, but I'm not sure it will actually reduce the fret noise the OP is hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddle! Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share Posted February 26, 2013 Nah it always through an amp. Seems to be going away slightly as I get better though. I will admit its nice sometimes cos it makes it sound like I'm playing a shuffle when I'm not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Fret noise? Rip 'em off. Who needs them 'speed bumps' on the fingerboard anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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