bass spiking out of tune

[joeypistol]

Ok, i don't know where else to put this question because i think it might be a string problem.

I bought new strings about 1 month ago and recently whenever i play a note really hard, on any string, the bass spikes out of tune then drifts back into normal tuning. I tighten the bolt-on neck bolts and the screws that hold my tuning pegs in place but nothing seemed to make any difference. also, my neck seems fairly strait, nothing to major.
please help! i look so dumb playing shows out of tune :

[idoru]

Sharp or flat?

The transient attack of plucked strings is always a slightly higher pitch than the sustain that follows. Tune like you're going to play - if the song is uptempo and you'll be playing a lot of notes, tune to a pedal tone (that way you're tuning based on the inital attack). If the song is slow and you'll be sustaining your notes, tune to sustained notes.

A good tip for tuning is to roll your tone off to cut back on harmonic overtones that can confuse your tuner.

Also, maybe don't hammer away at your bass like a gorilla with anger management issues ?

c-

[lonote]

Yep.

[joeypistol]

Originally Posted by idoru

Sharp or flat?

The transient attack of plucked strings is always a slightly higher pitch than the sustain that follows. Tune like you're going to play - if the song is uptempo and you'll be playing a lot of notes, tune to a pedal tone (that way you're tuning based on the inital attack). If the song is slow and you'll be sustaining your notes, tune to sustained notes.

A good tip for tuning is to roll your tone off to cut back on harmonic overtones that can confuse your tuner.

Also, maybe don't hammer away at your bass like a gorilla with anger management issues ?

c-

it spikes sharp. the dynamics within the songs go from aggressive to slow and melodic so its hard to tune to use style of playing. also inorder to get the growl/dirty tone i like for the harder parts i have to hit the strings hard.

[hasbeen]

what you're experiencing is normal. By any chance though, are you using strings that are lighter in gauge now or that feel less stiff than the strings you took off?

Either way, if you play with your right hand back towards the bridge more, you will experience less string excursion so it won't be out of tune on your hardest hits. It sounds to me like you play with your right hand towards the neck more.

[Metal Mitch]

Originally Posted by idoru

Also, maybe don't hammer away at your bass like a gorilla with anger management issues ?

c-

awwww....

but yeah, he's right. when you hit notes really hard they go sharp. it's normal. either beat the crap out of it more lightly or switch to higher tension strings.

[idoru]

Originally Posted by joeypistol

it spikes sharp. the dynamics within the songs go from aggressive to slow and melodic so its hard to tune to use style of playing. also inorder to get the growl/dirty tone i like for the harder parts i have to hit the strings hard.

You'll just have to punch in part by part when recording then, if the tuning is bugging your engineer.

c-

[251]

Did you use the tuners to wind the string onto the peg or did you wind the string onto the peg by hand & then tune the string? The latter twists the core wire & makes the string vibrate in strange ways.

[knuckle_head]

Yup, play with higher tension sets. The shift in pitch is less severe, and you can be more aggressive on them.

[kiwlm]

I use a tuner, and I have been experiencing the same with spiking out of tune, but I don't attack the strings very hard, and I just changed my strings a few months back as well. I will try the "tune like when you are playing" method, sometimes I find it easier if I just play continuous notes on the bass and then look at the tuner, instead of just strike one note and let it settle.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

Yup, play with higher tension sets. The shift in pitch is less severe, and you can be more aggressive on them.

^^^ This

[SpamBot]

Your strings are binding at the nut. Graphite lubricant in the nut slots will alleviate most of the problem. Not all of the problem, but it will be near unnoticeable.

[krash2kill]

Originally Posted by 251

Did you use the tuners to wind the string onto the peg or did you wind the string onto the peg by hand & then tune the string? The latter twists the core wire & makes the string vibrate in strange ways.

First time I have ever seen anyone wrap it by hand was my guitarist about a week ago. Is that common? I have never even thought of doing that, it doesn't seem to make much sense to me.

[251]

Sensible or not, wrapping strings by hand can affect the sound of your bass.

Some might see it as an FX box that doesn't clutter up their board. Others will not want any part of it. Still others will not hear any difference & wonder 'what's the fuss?'