Strings to prevent fret clack

CipherJDM · #1 03-03-2011, 09:34 PM

Okay, well, I've got two basses, Squier Vintage mod P and J basses. I was wondering what would be a good string to prevent fret clack and play soft, smooth and warm. I play rock really, but I'm breaking into some slapping on my J. I grew curious of this again after playing an Aria Cliff Burton bass. Was a trade in and on display at a SamAsh. The strings were really different, and the height extremely low, yet no matter how hard I dug in, I got no clack. Might just be the bass, but who knows.

spaz21387 · #2 03-03-2011, 09:43 PM

was it strung with flats? you might want to give those a go...

FretlessMainly · #3 03-03-2011, 10:04 PM

Not to come across as nit-picky, because I know what you mean, but being predominantly a fretless player, I differentiate between clack from a fretless fingerboard and clank, which is more from frets, at least to my ears. But, since you are starting to slap, the very attributes to contribute to your clack/clank are important components of a slapped sound.

You could try flats, and I love several of them, but you might not like what you hear if you've been using rounds. D'Addario Chromes are a fairly bright flat and they have really nice mid growl and good overtones. LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass flats are also quite good. While I also like the Fender 9020s and 9050s, I've found that the nylon tapewounds are prone to clack.

It's interesting that you were able to play the Cliff Burton with really low action but no clack. One thing to consider is that you can adjust your action to low with the saddles, but add a touch of relief to the neck by loosening the truss rod ~1/8 - 1/4 turn to the left (when sighting from the adjustment end).

CipherJDM · #4 03-03-2011, 10:17 PM

Yeah, I hear what ya mean about being specific lol. Having been in the car biz, ya gotta do the same thing. Lot of things transfer over.

But anyway, the clack/clank is indeed, of it hitting the fret. I'm not all too concerned of it being on my Jazz, but on my Precision it happens really often. It could be my technique, but then again, I'd much prefer to think it'd be my set up with that Aria in mind. It had some sort of round wounds on it. And it was REALLY low, a lot lower than the other basses especially mine.

I've been curious about the Chromes but don't have the money to try them out quite yet. Particularly because they seem to be soft but warm. Mostly because I prefered my p bass with some worn in Addario Nickel Rounds and I would think the chromes would give me that sound, but more defined and warm. What about some good strings for slap on my Jazz?

mntngrown · #5 03-03-2011, 10:42 PM

Chromes=less than rounds. Old school flats=less than chromes Tapes=less than old school flats.etc etc
I have a fretted graphite neck with nickel rounds that gets kinda clanky but really gets lost in the mix of rock.
Compression wound will give you some zing with less clank too.
Usin GHS compression on a Bongo they are very middle of the road. (as advertised)

bassteban · #6 03-03-2011, 10:44 PM

I can make ANY strings clack- or(w/a quick tweak/ghetto setup &/or light touch)not. Consider your technique.

testing1two · #7 03-03-2011, 10:50 PM

This is more an issue of good setup than strings. The law you can't escape is this: straight neck + level frets + properly cut nut = ability to have low action without all the superfluous noises.

There's a good chance your neck has the famous "ski jump" at the end of it so the strings will constantly hit the last fret anytime you dig in.

madmatt · #8 03-03-2011, 11:02 PM

I have a P with a maple fretboard and flats and I get the clank.
I think maple makes it a little brighter.
Do your basses have a maple fretboard?

Chrisk-K · #9 03-03-2011, 11:13 PM

Turn the treble knob down. Or use a tweeterless cab.

FretlessMainly · #10 03-03-2011, 11:14 PM

I would also agree that clank is more a question of technique than the bass or the strings, but since you get more on some basses than others, there's also likely a role played by the bass and strings. Yes, maple and ebony boards would likely be more prone than rosewood boards, to a point anyway.

To me, a P-bass needs flats. I could send you a freebie set of used LaBella DTB's if you'd like. They aren't far from the Chromes and even well-used they sound pretty good. At least it would give you an idea of what many flats will bring you.