"Clicky" tone caused ONLY by tension?

GizmoTheOne · #1 11-08-2009, 10:36 AM

Well, hope you can help me on that one.

First, I hate clicky/clanky tones. I like my notes to be heard as much as they can.

My problem is, I can't seem to be able to avoid it on my bass. The string hits the fret below the note I'm playing, and I always get that click whatever I do. It seems to be even more sensitive when I play notes on frets 7-8 and higher.

I know this can be caused by many things, but I have tried bunch of methods to fix this and haven't come up with good results so far.

What confuses me most is that it happens only on the E-string (dropped to C#), and a LIIIIIITLE bit on the A-string (just a little bit, so I can deal with it).
So, I raised the action as high as it can go, adjusted the neck relief, played with as soft a touch as I could, cut the high mid frequencies and boosted the low mids... still I get that (*?/&?()*/"%!&?%(!* clank... is it only because my strings don't put enough tension?

I use Ernie Ball flatwounds (which, I think, are not particularly known for being low tension strings) and my C# string is a .110

Is the gauge too small? Should I get higher tension strings?
(And if so, what do you recommend?)
Another problem is I don't know much about .110 or .115 HIGH TENSION flats...
I've heard Rotosounds are low tension, aren't they?

mmbongo · #2 11-08-2009, 11:40 AM

This is why I hated D'Adarrio Chromes. Couldn't stand that clicking! And they are very high tension, so you might be on to something.

Double Agent · #3 11-08-2009, 11:55 AM

acutally, the "clicky" tone is caused more by LOW tension than by high tension. It can also be caused, IME anyways, but too much treble, too aggressive technique with the right hand, and playing closer to the neck than the bridge.

You could try some Labella Deep Talkin' Flats, which are the highest tension flats I know of. You mentioned that you pluck as softly as you could already and still got it. Are you plucking with your fingers up by the neck or down by the bridge? If you are closer to the neck, you might try moving your fingers closer to the bridge and see if that helps.

The other option is to get a light set of strings for 5-string bass and throw away the E string and the low B string as your low E. Its a little unorthodox, but it might work to have a string that is designed to be tuned to a lower pitch.

For the record, I use Chromes on my MIM P-bass and I have no problems with strings clicking. YMMV.

knuckle_head · #4 11-08-2009, 05:15 PM

What are the gauges on the balance of your set? You would be better-served with a .115 or .120 I bet

GizmoTheOne · #5 11-08-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

What are the gauges on the balance of your set? You would be better-served with a .115 or .120 I bet

.50-.70-.85

I know I would probably be better with a .115 or .120, but :

1)I want to play on flats and I don't know many .115 or .120 flats
2)Would a .120 fit my nut slot?

I see Rotosound have a set with a .115 (RS77 I believe), but I have heard they are known to be low tension strings ...
so that leads to another question :

Which one will click least : a low tension .115, or a super high tension .105-.110 ? Anyone have a clue for me?

Thanks a lot.

mmbongo · #6 11-08-2009, 07:00 PM

When I had the Chromes the clicking was caused by the high tension because you had to press down so much harder to fret and it would 'slam' into the fret causing a clicking sound. It also caused clicking because they were higher tension than I was used to, so they didn't fret all the way, causing clicking and rattling. I've never had another string do it, those Chromes just weren't for me.

christw · #7 11-08-2009, 07:03 PM

If I'm playing softly on my basses (and my amp is set accordingly) like on my fretless, I occasionally clip the string with my fingernail and cause an obnoxious honky click, but with action adjustments to med-high, no matter how hard I kick the crap out of my basses, I can't force them to rattle on the frets.

Plus if it's that big of a deal, cut the high EQ sharply. Boost the mids and low mids and it'll be subtler and unnoticeable in the mix.

...BUT, your C# is a bit too small by my book. I use a 105 for my standard E on my Ric / P and it feels floppy when tuned to D. I used 120 or 125 of my old Schecter for D standard / drop C and it sounded great with very little rattle even with action medium to low.

Edit: also, a strong EQ can cut out those high clanks, as can a crossover or a cab with an attenuated horn (turned all the way down).

This was my solution with my old cab setup. With my no crossover / no horn 810, I need to remedy it manually.

Edit again: another afterthought... I use Roto 66's in 50-105 I believe. Maybe it was 45-105? (Standard tuning mostly, occasional drop D.)

Ric5 · #8 11-08-2009, 07:08 PM

If you detune then you should use fatter strings.

knuckle_head · #9 11-08-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

It's caused by technique.

Only in part. If the strings were more consistent in tension he'd not have to alter his technique near as much - he's losing a step and a half by dropping his E to C#.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GizmoTheOne

.50-.70-.85

I know I would probably be better with a .115 or .120, but :

1)I want to play on flats and I don't know many .115 or .120 flats
2)Would a .120 fit my nut slot?

I see Rotosound have a set with a .115 (RS77 I believe), but I have heard they are known to be low tension strings ...
so that leads to another question :

Which one will click least : a low tension .115, or a super high tension .105-.110 ? Anyone have a clue for me?

Thanks a lot.

If you want all the strings to behave in the same manner they ought to be similarly tensioned. No idea where you'd come by a .115 or .120, but you could go at it the other way in a pinch. If the biggest you can get your hands on is a .110 then consider .080 .060 .040 or so above it. You'd get less necessary sway in technique from one string to the next as they'd be a bit better balanced.

If you can find the thicker string that is the much better option.

EagleMoon · #10 11-08-2009, 07:34 PM

Technique is number one. Strings are a part of it, but a good setup for the type of strings you have is just as important. The biggest problem that I can see is that you're tuned so low. No wonder you don't have any tension.

PilbaraBass · #11 11-08-2009, 07:41 PM

click = technique + setup
tone of click = EQ settings
tension = how critical technique is

I actually dig the click, when I need it I can get it...but it's just as easy for me to avoid it altogether, too... this holds true on all my basses.

GizmoTheOne · #12 11-08-2009, 10:21 PM

Yeah, at first I thought it had something to do with technique, but the problem is the clicking has never happened as much before I changed my strings.

I mean, before playing on these EB flats, I used Dean Markley or Elixir rounds and tuned down to D or C#... and it didn't click as much as it clicks now. And I don't think my technique has changed much since.
As mentioned in OP, I have tried EQing differently (i.e. boosting low mids, cutting high mids, turning horn all the way down), and haven't come to satisfying results.

I think I'm going to try those RS77 with the big .115 even though they say it's low tension. Gonna see what happens.

And if it doesn't do the trick, I might as well go fretless

knuckle_head · #13 11-09-2009, 09:52 AM

It is more about mass than tension - balance the set and technique gets simple(r).

stretch80 · #14 11-09-2009, 10:06 AM

One approach: take your bass to a pro tech/luthier, and work with him to set the bass up to avoid the click, and to choose strings. I try to do my own setups, but I had this issue and a pro fixed it...

unclejane · #15 11-09-2009, 10:20 AM

The only way to really get rid of it is to ditch the frets. The clicky-clack is reason #1 I went fretless some years ago and I've never looked back. Nice smooth click-free tone ever since.

The only other option you have is HARD electronic filtering of the treble by whatever means necessary. Get the darkest tone you possibly can by filtering the treble with everything you've got.

The clicking is normal for fretted instruments and trying to get rid of it at the instrument will generally only mean a trip to the rubber room for the player and likely a lot of money uselessly spent on the bass.

BTDT and never goin' back......

LS

Gearhead43 · #16 11-09-2009, 10:21 AM

Are you sure the strings aren't hitting your pickups?

If not, try raising your action. There's no rule that says bassists have to play with the strings practically laying on the fretboard. I hate low action, and I am using Chromes on my P-bass with no clicking issues.

Eric Scholz · #17 11-09-2009, 10:30 AM

1. Raising the action and relief of the neck to the maximum point isn't going to fix anything. Just bring it to a guitar tech and have him set it up for you. Once it's set up you should be able to maintain it where you like.

2. As a rule of thumb you go up by .5 every half step you detune.

3. Have you tried changing your amp settings?

Brick Top · #18 11-09-2009, 03:06 PM

I have been playing for less than a year...but when I get that clicking sound....I usually just have to learn to pluck upwards with my right fingers as opposed to plucking towards the guitar. This always works for me.

I use labella flats.

Cheers,
BT