Metallic clank from harmonics

totallyfrozen · #1 06-04-2009, 10:47 AM

I'm not sure what's causing this so I'm not sure which forum to put this in, so I'll start here.

I have a '96 Peavey Milestone II with Seymour Duncan Basslines "Quarter Pounder" pick ups. It's a P-bass copy for those who may not know.

I used to practice through a pretty sad little 20+ watt Gorilla bass amp (the BG-30). I noticed that when plucking the E and A strings (fretted or open) that I'd hear a metallic clank under the bass tone. I thought it was the poor amp.
I started using the TASCAM MP-BT1 to practice and heard the same thing. I thought it might have been one of the settings in that unit.
When I upgraded my amp to the Ampeg B-100R, I noticed the same 'clank' and couldn't get rid of it with EQ.

After moving my right hand to different places, I realized that it's a harmonics problem. I'm getting high harmonics coming from my right hand position and the bridge.

I've been using Ernie Ball "Regular Slinkys", round wound (because they're fairly cheap). I haven't tried any other strings *yet* because I wanted to get some suggestions from you guys before I start spending money.

Could the problem be the strings I'm using?
Or the hot pickups maybe?
Any idea?

dmusic148 · #2 06-04-2009, 10:51 AM

I don't think it's harmonics. I'll bet you are striking the fingerboard or the pickup with the strings. See if it goes away when you play close to the bridge.

CapnSev · #3 06-04-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

I don't think it's harmonics. I'll bet you are striking the fingerboard or the pickup with the strings. See if it goes away when you play close to the bridge.

+1

Try lowering the pickup a little.

totallyfrozen · #4 06-04-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

I don't think it's harmonics. I'll bet you are striking the fingerboard or the pickup with the strings. See if it goes away when you play close to the bridge.

I'm not striking the fretboard or the pickup and I've played close to the bridge, over the pickups, and close to the neck. The tone of the 'clank' changes based on where I play...but it's still there regardless of where I pluck the sting. Also, how hard I pluck the string doesn't seem to make much of a difference...other than changing the volume of the 'clank'.

JimmyM · #5 06-04-2009, 02:25 PM

Bass is noisy by nature. Big thick strings that are prone to rattles and thumps. I think you're probably getting a thump that most people get when they do harmonics. Even the best players get some of that.

FunkMetalBass · #6 06-04-2009, 02:53 PM

It could be the string vibrating on the bridge or in the nut slot. Happens from time to time. Try holding the string firm at the bridge and plucking, same with the nut. That's the problem I usually have.

dmusic148 · #7 06-04-2009, 03:04 PM

Pics? I'd like to see how it's set up.

totallyfrozen · #8 06-04-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Pics? I'd like to see how it's set up.

I'm at work right now, but I'll try to get some up this evening. I appreciate the help you guys are trying to give me.
~Thanks

totallyfrozen · #9 06-05-2009, 01:38 AM

Here are the pics for those who'd like to take a look at see if I have a problem area in my set up.
I did take the bass to the repair tech at the Fender shop awhile back and he adjusted my action and strobo-tuned my bridge. I haven't touched any of that since he did it so I don't think any of that has changed.

perutxo · #10 06-05-2009, 01:49 AM

Hi,
Well, I used to have a set of 1/4 pounders on my Aerodyne and they gave a nasty metallic sound especially on E and A strings.
I think what your problem might be, I've seen in the pictures your PU height and probably you should allow more distance between the PU and the strings. 1/4 pounders distort sound very easily, producing a nasty metallic sound, if placed close to the strings, as they have those high output big poles.
Try lowering the PU's a bit and let us know.

Hope this helps

,

BDL1991 · #11 06-05-2009, 02:20 AM

check your string widings, trim the string

totallyfrozen · #12 06-05-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDL1991

check your string widings, trim the string

What do you mean?
Do you think I have too much excess string?

totallyfrozen · #13 06-05-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perutxo

Hi,
Well, I used to have a set of 1/4 pounders on my Aerodyne and they gave a nasty metallic sound especially on E and A strings.
I think what your problem might be, I've seen in the pictures your PU height and probably you should allow more distance between the PU and the strings. 1/4 pounders distort sound very easily, producing a nasty metallic sound, if placed close to the strings, as they have those high output big poles.
Try lowering the PU's a bit and let us know.

Hope this helps

,

Hey thanks alot! I'll give that a try.

dmusic148 · #14 06-05-2009, 09:26 AM

Based on the pics I still think the strings are hitting the pickup. As said, try lowering the pickup for the E/A strings. You know you have a loose pickup screw too, right? You might need to add some foam underneath the pickup to hold it properly.

totallyfrozen · #15 06-05-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Based on the pics I still think the strings are hitting the pickup. As said, try lowering the pickup for the E/A strings. You know you have a loose pickup screw too, right? You might need to add some foam underneath the pickup to hold it properly.

Yeah, there is foam under the pick up. The screw's not actually loose; it just won't go in anymore. Maybe it's too long for the pickups that I have in there. Those are the original screws that were in the Peavey pickups. I'm going to go with your suggestion and find a way to lower the pickup a bit more. I may need to put a shorter screw in there.
From what you guys have said, it sounds like it might be a question of the pickups being too hot to be that close to the strings. I'm going to try to lower the E/A pick up and see if that fixes the noise problem.
The SD 1/4 Pounders are such an improvement over the stock Peavey pickups that I think it's still worth it to have them in there. I just need to lower it a bit, I guess.
Thanks to all you for your help.

totallyfrozen · #16 06-27-2009, 11:44 AM

Hmmm...well, I guess my memory is worse than I thought (considering I only put those SD pickups in 3 years ago). Anyway, you were right, the screw was loose. I was able to tighten it and lower the pickup a bit. That seems to have fixed the issue. It's funny how AFTER to learn something, it seems obvious like it should have been common sense. Thanks for the help, gang!