Manwithvan Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 I use double-thumbing a lot, but now and again want to bounce off a low string, and there's a question I can't find an answer to anywhere. On some basses a hard slap gives a percussive 'whump', and on others not. Why? It's almost like the attack from a compressor, but a brief woody thud rather than a string tone. All my basses are set up the same. Medium-low action, nearly straight neck. Fret buzz if you play hard. Fender Jazz (maple neck), Sandberg California (rosewood neck) do it. The effect is more noticeable on the neck pickup. Ibanez SR500, Yamaha BB1500A don't. I have a vague theory about exposed pole pieces but it's not a very good one. Any ideas, anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 It sounds to me that what you're describing is a muted note but since you're the one playing it I assume it's not intentional... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manwithvan Posted November 26, 2015 Author Share Posted November 26, 2015 No, the usual sound you might expect is there too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Your thoughts about the pole pieces... string hitting it and that's where the thump comes from? I think I had this issue when I bought a P bass and the pickup was sitting a bit too high; though I was getting this on occasions just when playing finger style. When I got the gap to Fender specs the string no longer hit the pole pieces. The fact you get this more with the neck pickup too reinforces this possibility. Maybe try lowering the pickup a little? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manwithvan Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 The fact is I rather like it - you certainly make your presence felt - and wish I could get the Yamaha to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Do any / all of the basses have low impedance pickups (EMG etc...) and / or active circuits ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manwithvan Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 An, interesting point. The Fender and Sandberg are both passive/active. The Yamaha and Ibanez are active only. To back up the 'strings hitting pickup poles theory' my thumb tends to be just above the end of the fretboard, allowing some extra travel for the string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manwithvan Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) Previous post a bit confusing. My thumb is a bit beyond the end of the board i.e. I'm not striking down onto any frets. Edited November 27, 2015 by Manwithvan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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