vibrations when using pick

[marellio]

when i play with a pick most of my strings rattle the slightest when im pressing down on the fret. this doesnt happen when i finger pick tho...whats wrong with it?

[SGT. Pepper]

You probably have your bass strung with rounds. Roundwounds and picks don't mix too well. If you like pick playing try switching to flats. Flats+Pick+Boss Compessor= Dynamite, Rubbery, Clacky, Thud that cuts through the mix beautifully. Nice aggressive sound and tone. Try Flats!

[Phalex]

It could be low action. You start the strings oscillating in a different direction (axis?) when you pick as opposed to finger. I get the same thing on my Ric.

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by SGT. Pepper

Roundwounds and picks don't mix too well.

I've never heard that before - I think roundwounds and picks are the standard for pickstyle playing, and it sounds awesome! I've never been fully satisfied with the flats + picks combo, although it certainly is much less buzzy.

When it comes to using roundwounds, though, you'll likely find it necessary to raise the action and straighten the truss rod a bit to minimize that fret buzzing (or "rattling"... same thing in this case). If you're using light-gauge strings, they'll "rattle" more with a pick, so consider using 45-105 sets or above. The thickness of the pick also affects the result.

I don't get much fret buzz from my basses when playing with a pick, but it took me a while to set up the action and the truss rod to work well for both my fingerstyle and pickstyle playing.

[Bass Thunder]

Originally Posted by Phalex

It could be low action. You start the strings oscillating in a different direction (axis?) when you pick as opposed to finger. I get the same thing on my Ric.

True.

The tip of the pick pushes the string down and the string will vibrate more perpendicular to the frets - causing the buzzing. Your finger style technique makes the string vibrate more parallel to the frets so there is no buzzing at your string height.

Work on technique, raise strings, or buy second bass for pick.

[Bass Thunder]

Originally Posted by SGT. Pepper

You probably have your bass strung with rounds. Roundwounds and picks don't mix too well.

I would have to disagree with that one also. Round wound and picks are great for a modern rock sound like Justin Chancellor, etc.