chk! sound just on the attack of notes (not fret buzz)

[StuFordBass]

I have a bass that when I play notes, especially on the lower strings, they are hitting the frets or something and making a little chk! sound. the string is obviously hitting the frets or something, but i have no fretbuzz otherwise, and am wondering how to get rid of this noise?

[chadhargis]

I have the same issue. My basses are set up with farily low action, just enough not to get buzz. When I fret a string, particulary with my pinky, I tend to "slam" my finger down too hard and cause the click.

I've worked on fretting easier, and using a double bass technique my teacher taught me, which is to reinforce my pinky with the other fingers behind it. Keeps me from having to press so hard with the pinky.

[Turnaround]

Often, when the action is set low, the string next to the one you are plucking (e.g. the E string when you're plucking the A) clacks against the fret when your finger strikes it coming off the A string. To test this stick something under the E string towards the headstock from where you are fretting the A, and see if the problem is still there. If it goes away, you may have to alter your technique so you don't hit the E string when plucking the A, or you may have to change the action.

If the problem doesn't go away, you most certainly will have to change the action. Try a little more relief, raise the saddles a bit, or both.

[nervous]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

Often, when the action is set low, the string next to the one you are plucking (e.g. the E string when you're plucking the A) clacks against the fret when your finger strikes it coming off the A string. To test this stick something under the E string towards the headstock from where you are fretting the A, and see if the problem is still there. If it goes away, you may have to alter your technique so you don't hit the E string when plucking the A, or you may have to change the action.

If the problem doesn't go away, you most certainly will have to change the action. Try a little more relief, raise the saddles a bit, or both.

It's action height. There is a sweet spot above which notes get very clear. I find there is often a tradeoff between low action and clean, solid note production.

[blipndub]

maybe it's hitting the pickup? I have to lower my pickups with my low action because I have terrible technique and drive the string down toward the pup rather than upwards the top.

[tooloudalex]

Try adjusting how you play, i had that issue for a while and then i stopped plucking as hard, or you could play closer to the bridge, that should help (if its what i think it is)

[StuFordBass]

I can't believe I never even thought of that as an option. It is the string next to the one I play being hit by my plucking finger and hitting the frets. Not even an issue now that I know the source. light touch, no problem.