Bass is 'picky' about fretting...what causes this?

[mmbongo]

I don't know how else to describe it, other than the bass being picky about where you fret the notes.

Example, lets just say fretting the G string at the 3rd fret....if I fret it back near the 2nd fret, it does not fret and just rattles out. But if I move forward and fret it right at the 3rd fret it does great and requires little effort. Fretting in the middle sound fine but requires a bit more pressure. It's a little annoying and makes this bass a little hard to play, and I'd like to know what to look at to try to make it a little more 'forgiving' about where the note is fretted. My other basses are not like this, they don't care where it's fretted.

Not a string issue. I've tried different makes and gauges.

Should not be a neck relief issue, I've got just a hair of relief...just the way I like it.

Don't think it's a nut issue, as I've replaced the nut which made a huge difference in the playability overall, but didn't fix this.

It's not a wear issue, this bass is essentially new.

Would low frets cause this? I notice the frets on this bass are just not as big as my others.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I don't know how else to describe it, other than the bass being picky about where you fret the notes.

Example, lets just say fretting the G string at the 3rd fret....if I fret it back near the 2nd fret, it does not fret and just rattles out. But if I move forward and fret it right at the 3rd fret it does great and requires little effort. Fretting in the middle sound fine but requires a bit more pressure. It's a little annoying and makes this bass a little hard to play, and I'd like to know what to look at to try to make it a little more 'forgiving' about where the note is fretted. My other basses are not like this, they don't care where it's fretted.

Not a string issue. I've tried different makes and gauges.

Should not be a neck relief issue, I've got just a hair of relief...just the way I like it.

Don't think it's a nut issue, as I've replaced the nut which made a huge difference in the playability overall, but didn't fix this.

It's not a wear issue, this bass is essentially new.

Would low frets cause this? I notice the frets on this bass are just not as big as my others.

As you have correctly analyzed, this is strictly a technique issue. Proper technique is to press the string down as close to and behind the target fret. In this example, the third fret.

[trowaclown]

It's a technique issue...shouldn't you be fretting right behind the frets for the clearest sound and the least required pressure applied?

Edit: Doh! Too slow!

[puddin tame]

Yeaaaah, you're not supposed to be able to just mash your finger down anywhere you please. Your problem is that your bass is not accomodating your poor technique

[mmbongo]

Well that's good to know. I'm just not used to that, I guess my other basses are just more forgiving...and they are 4 strings with smaller necks (this one is a 5 string) so that may just be the problem. I just can't play a big fat neck right

[Craig_S]

I think your bass doesn't like you, so it's being difficult.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by TGLbass

the bass you are not fretting right is a good bass.

I'm sure it is. I just wish it fretted like my others

[JLS]

So far, so good...

TECHNIQUE!!!!!!

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by JLS

So far, so good...

TECHNIQUE!!!!!!

I'm not arguing that, as we've already figured that out. I'd still like to know what makes some basses more prone to this than others. Like I said, I have 2 basses where it does not matter where you fret them. My other 2 are very picky. I'd just like to know. I have my theory, I'd just like to hear it from someone else!

[202dy]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I'm not arguing that, as we've already figured that out. I'd still like to know what makes some basses more prone to this than others. Like I said, I have 2 basses where it does not matter where you fret them. My other 2 are very picky. I'd just like to know. I have my theory, I'd just like to hear it from someone else!

Many different reasons:

1. Set up
2. Neck angle
3. Overall bridge height
4. Individual saddle height
5. Fret height
6. Fret wear
7. Fret seating
8. String gauge (diameter)
9. String flexibility
10. String tension
11. Ghost in the machine

As far as the subject instruments, there is not enough information in the OP to venture a guess.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by 202dy

Many different reasons:

1. Fret height
2. Fret seating
3. Ghost in the machine

As far as the subject instruments, there is not enough information in the OP to venture a guess.

I removed everything from the list that I have already eliminated. That pretty much leaves the things that I personally have no control over, and it kind of reassures my theory. This is a Korean made bass, a budget version of a high end USA bass.

The basses that fret differently are rather high end offerings. Not Korean made

[202dy]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I removed everything from the list that I have already eliminated. That pretty much leaves the things that I personally have no control over, and it kind of reassures my theory. This is a Korean made bass, a budget version of a high end USA bass.

The basses that fret differently are rather high end offerings. Not Korean made

As regards the differences between the instruments, none of these reasons is independent of the others. It is a combination of several that determine the playability of an individual instrument.

This is all academic. Ultimately the problem is corrected by proper fingering.