Doddy Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 [quote name='woolz' post='782136' date='Mar 21 2010, 09:33 PM']de tuned to c# on the bottom string yes. also i dont know how softly you guys are playing but to stop any clicking i need to play verry very softly.[/quote] I thought so. To me,then,it sounds like,because you have less tension on the string as you are playing it , it is getting a kind of 'slapping' sound by hitting the the upper frets. I can be quite aggressive with my right hand and can easily get that clicky sound if I want to,but generally I don't play that hard. Are you 'hitting' the strings with your right hand(that's usually the problem) or do you play 'through' the string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolz Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 well i do try to play through them but maybe im not doing a good job of it. i dont know how people using detuning can play without this click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3V17C Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 [quote name='woolz' post='781873' date='Mar 21 2010, 06:11 PM']im wondering wether it is my eq? i also have an active bass and i always plug it into the passive input.[/quote] why do you do that??! but back on topic... yeah if you're tuned down like that the string is going to be flapping about a lot more, couple that with right hand technique like people have already mentioned and you'll get the rattling. active bass probably makes it more noticeable too peace c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 [quote name='woolz' post='782159' date='Mar 21 2010, 09:53 PM']well i do try to play through them but maybe im not doing a good job of it. i dont know how people using detuning can play without this click.[/quote] C# on a normal and normally set up bass is bound to produce summat weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 As I said, for a lot of respected players, especially rock and metal (Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse is a perfect example) it's part of their 'sound' and often, a band's sound production is optimised to take advantage of this style - the bass will have loads of attack and they'll double the kick drum patterns. I do this all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 [quote name='3V17C' post='782183' date='Mar 21 2010, 10:16 PM']why do you do that??![/quote] I plus my active bass into the passive input, or rather, leave the 'active' switch disabled. Unless your bass has active pickups and an 18v preamp that needs taming a little at the input stage, I saw little point in robbing myself of input gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathpanda Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 For drop c# on a 4 string, I would try some thicker gauge strings. Anything after that is technique problems or hardware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='781839' date='Mar 21 2010, 05:43 PM']Do you have a Trace Elliot by chance?[/quote] Ive a Trace and it gets clicky when I use a pick.. it completely harmless and doesnt affect the overall sound. Actually adds some attack if its rocky stuff. Lower the mids a bit if its annoying you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightball Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 compressor might iron it a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I'd agree with Doddy that you're probably hitting the upper frets with the string as you strike it, so a revision of your right hand technique is required if you wish to eliminate it. Bottom line is: whacking the bass does not necessarily equal more energy in the music. In fact having a dynamic range that extends below 'really hard' will widen your palette. That may not suit your style of music so it's your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I'd just chuck a bit of relief in the neck, problem sorted then again I'm a massive fan of bodging quick fixes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Never discount poor bass setup. It's the first thing I would check. Insufficient neck relief can cause all sorts of horrors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='woolz' post='782136' date='Mar 21 2010, 09:33 PM']de tuned to c# on the bottom string yes. also i dont know how softly you guys are playing but to stop any clicking i need to play verry very softly.[/quote] You're not going to solve it unless you change string gauge and put in a new nut. Get a 5 string if you need to be that low! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolz Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 (edited) im not too hot on the neck relief adjustment to be honest i use 105 gauge on the 4th string as it is. anyone live in essex on here that could have a look at it for me? or know anyone thats good at settting basses up? i plug into the passive input because it sounds a lot better i think! Edited March 22, 2010 by woolz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolz Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 (edited) [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v727/woolz/?action=view¤t=VID00010-20100322-1750.flv"]http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v727/woo...100322-1750.flv[/url] this is me on a tanglewood tuned to normal E tuning. come on slate my playing as you can hear i stil get the clicking. Edited March 22, 2010 by woolz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Sound isnt great on that but I think your action is too low for your playing style, try raising it a little and you should get a cleaner attack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolz Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 ive checked the truss rod. ive got approx half a mill bow in the neck. probaly not enough is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='woolz' post='782674' date='Mar 22 2010, 08:18 PM']ive checked the truss rod. ive got approx half a mill bow in the neck. probaly not enough is it?[/quote] Half a mill should be ok, just raise the action a bit at the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='Musicman69' post='782716' date='Mar 22 2010, 08:44 PM']Half a mill should be ok, just raise the action a bit at the bridge.[/quote] You can't say that really, there are so many other factors to consider. Fretboard radius for one. 1mm is very little relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='Musicman69' post='782327' date='Mar 22 2010, 01:53 AM']Ive a Trace and it gets clicky when I use a pick.. it completely harmless and doesnt affect the overall sound. Actually adds some attack if its rocky stuff. Lower the mids a bit if its annoying you.[/quote] I sold it about 18 months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='782732' date='Mar 22 2010, 08:55 PM']You can't say that really, there are so many other factors to consider. Fretboard radius for one. 1mm is very little relief.[/quote] True but if it doesnt work he can put it back as it was.. no harm to try it. As has been said already best bet is to get it set-up professionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='woolz' post='782595' date='Mar 22 2010, 05:36 PM']im not too hot on the neck relief adjustment to be honest i use 105 gauge on the 4th string as it is. anyone live in essex on here that could have a look at it for me? or know anyone thats good at settting basses up? i plug into the passive input because it sounds a lot better i think![/quote] Hold down the string at the first fret AND at the last fret (use a capo or phone a friend if you have small hands). Is it touching the 12th fret (or thereabouts)? It should be *just* clear at the 12th (you can tap it against the fret but can't see much daylight). If it's touching then you need to *slacken* the truss rod. Take it easy, quarter turn a go. Retune each time. Having said that, you should probably just get a 5 string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I'm sticking with my original diagnosis....... You seem to be 'hitting' the strings(especially the lowest string) rather than 'plucking' them which is resulting in the string hitting the upper frets,giving almost a 'slapping' effect,which will be even more noticable when detuned as there is less tension on the strings. I'd spend a bit more time concentrating on your right hand technique. You don't need to pluck the strings very hard at all-let the amp do some of the work. Try this before you reach for the allen keys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolz Posted March 23, 2010 Author Share Posted March 23, 2010 ok will do, ive found also playing further to the bridge helps an awful lot. ill let you know how i get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I'd still change the nut. Its grooved for a standard E string guage. Sooner or later its gonna crack from a B string guage. Ya dont want that happening mid show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.