Help for Beginner

spoonfed86 · #1 07-20-2007, 02:13 PM

Hello Everyone.

I've had my first bass for 4 days and I am teaching myself (using the internet) but need some advice.
Whenever I play anything (apart from open), the strings make a strange noise which i can only describe as a rattle. It sounds like the the string is vibrating on the fret. This occurs no matter how hard a hold the string down.
I mainly only have this problem with E and A but it can occur on the bottom two strings.
Is this an error on how i'm playing or is it due to a cheap bass / strings.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Mark

mpinonj · #2 07-20-2007, 03:05 PM

Did you buy the bass new or used? If the finger is in the middle of the fret and you are holding your finger down as hard as you can, there should be no buzz. Now, the action on your bass could be off and you would need somebody to fix that for you. You could do it yourself, but I would recommend someone who knows more or less where the action should be.
So take you bass to your local music store and ask them to check the "action on your bass".

spoonfed86 · #3 07-20-2007, 03:25 PM

Thanks

It was a cheap / new bass.
After playing it for 5 minutes a string snapped so I'm buying new strings tomorrow. Is this likely to rectify the problem.
If not then i will take your advice

mpinonj · #4 07-20-2007, 03:41 PM

you may have some really light strings. Ask for medium strings. I am no expert in the string technology, but I generally use medium strings. Good luck with everything.

Tinybasschick · #5 07-20-2007, 04:01 PM

Your strings could be set too low, or the truss rod might need adjusted (it controls the amount of neck-bow). Have an expert do that one. I started with a junky Rickenbacker rip-off, and couldn't get the neck straight. Good luck!

Qvist · #6 07-20-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinybasschick

Your strings could be set too low, or the truss rod might need adjusted (it controls the amount of neck-bow). Have an expert do that one. I started with a junky Rickenbacker rip-off, and couldn't get the neck straight. Good luck!

I agree with Tinybasschick, try to raise the strings a little, you can do that on the top of your fret, I had the exact same problem with the rattling! I recommend getting some help with it