Clangy Bass

[Mean Mr Mustard]

I have noticed a lot in Rock music the bass sounds really clangy in a lot of the music. Is this because the type of strings a bass player uses? Or could it be that they use a pick and pick hard? Or does it depend on the type of bass? I am very confused on this issue.

I hope you all know what I mean by Clangy bass.

[JimmyM]

New roundwound strings with a heavy attack or a pick = clanky.

[Matt Till]

clangy is an abstract term really... example?

The bassist clangy brings to mind for me, Steve Harris.

[Mean Mr Mustard]

its hard to explain I think Jimmy knows what I am talking about. It sounds like the string is hitting up against the fretboard or something because the player is picking very hard. I will try to find an example.

[flatwoundfender]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

clangy is an abstract term really... example?

The bassist clangy brings to mind for me, Steve Harris.

Steve Harris is clangy, he uses flats, but they are new flats and with his attack and action I believe the strings hit the frets.

For the original poster:
The clack can be easily attained with roundwounds and low action. A pick may bring it out more, but I don't think it causes it.

[Mean Mr Mustard]

Thanks for the replies, that clank or clack or whatever you want to call it really bugs the crap out of me. I just want to know how I can avoid it at all costs.

[Lorenzini]

rofl

But FYI, flats are USUALLY the least clangy. And I don't think clangy is abstract at all. I got the concept immediately.

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr Mustard

I have noticed a lot in Rock music the bass sounds really clangy in a lot of the music. Is this because the type of strings a bass player uses? Or could it be that they use a pick and pick hard? Or does it depend on the type of bass? I am very confused on this issue.

I hope you all know what I mean by Clangy bass.

newish strings, roundwound (no point going for flats if you're after a zingy clang), tone wide open on your bass, a pick will usually add a bit of top end although you don't have to pick too hard

goose your upper mids (play around in the 1k frequency range) on your amp, and use lots of 10" speakers

so if you want to avoid it, play flats with your fingers, turn all your tone down on your bass, knock down everything on your graphic on your amp above 300hz and use 15" speakers.. i guarantee you'll have none of that nasty presence or clarity

[flatwoundfender]

Or if you want clarity without clang you could play with flats on a 15 and have set you tone knob open and eq the amp correctly.

[lug]

example:

http://usrs3.ev1.net/~woodd/huntforneptune.mp3

D"addario Pro Steels can outclang anything.