Clicking sound when playing

AzzaKnoldy · #1 07-27-2011, 05:12 AM

Hey guys,

Just today, I decided to lower my action, to make my bass easier to play. Along with this, I lowered the pickups, to their lowest point. When I play, I get a horrible clicking noise, which is due to the string hitting the pickup. I don't know whether to sacrifice playablility for sound or not. Any thoughts?

DESRTpunk · #2 07-27-2011, 06:02 AM

Is it like fret buzz or is it just a click at the beginning of the note?

AzzaKnoldy · #3 07-27-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESRTpunk

Is it like fret buzz or is it just a click at the beginning of the note?

It's a click at the beginning

Rickett Customs · #4 07-27-2011, 06:59 AM

Lower the pickups, if that's the case. But, it sounds like the strings are actually hitting the end frets to me.

ysand · #5 07-27-2011, 07:11 AM

A bit higher action.
Maybe some more neck relief.
Don't pluck really hard.

96tbird · #6 07-27-2011, 09:22 AM

I assume you are new to the bass? If so you will learn not to strike the string towards the body, instead upward towards the sky. This will alleviate string noise. At some point you will actually switch back and forth when you may find the click desirable in a certain song.

John Paul Jones, to name one, says he used the percussive clicking extensively and I have seen an amazing young bassist on youtube that actually smacks his strings into his pickups all the time when improvising jazz. His pups are beat to heck!

AzzaKnoldy · #7 07-28-2011, 10:13 AM

I wouldn't say 'new'. I've just got into bad habits by the sounds of things. Thanks for the heads up

96tbird · #8 07-28-2011, 10:17 AM

Not bad habits, just a certain useful technique. Now it's time to work on a cleaner style, so you can switch back and forth. I smack my strings on the board a lot for certain songs, really accentuates the snare hits for example. As long as the other players aren't complaining, it's all good. They'll let you know if you are disrupting the arrangement. Trick is know when to and when not to; so listen to the material closely and work it out.

**nervous** · #9 07-28-2011, 10:23 AM

I have a similar issue with a recently acquired bass. I have played many and this is the first where there is a pronounced clacking on fretting notes, especially mid neck. I have lowered and raised the action with little change and is now actually on the higher side of what I like. Neck relief is perfect. I have had many basses and this is the first that I have noticed this issue as pronounced as it is. I can hammer on other basses without this happening so it's not just an issue of technique.

I do have some loose frets that I will repair soon to see if that helps. It's also the first time I have used the Dean Markley strings that I recently installed so perhaps that contributes to my problem. I'll try to make changes one by one to see what happens.

**nervous** · #10 07-28-2011, 06:33 PM

I did just find something that I hadn't noticed on this or any other bass that I can recall. When the 'clacking' is originating somewhere behind the fretted note, almost as if the string make earlier or simultaneous contact with a fret somewhere behind the one you are currently fretting. For example, if I fret the A string, 9th fret and pluck the string behind that note(on the nut side) I get a fairly clear sounding note. Move to the 8th fret, still OK. But on the 7th the note goes all metallic, dead and ugly. So, two things come to mind. First the nut may have been filed a bit too much in a previous set-up and I probably have a few frets in need of some attention beyond their gluing down.

john grey · #11 07-28-2011, 07:04 PM

Use care with the screws that mount the pups. OCCASIONALLY they can contribute to odd noises in the fretted note via compressed spring(s) inappropriate pup height, or wiggling / vibration of pup spring.
There is no consistent optimum pup height from string(s) but if the vibration is close enough to the magnets you can get some annoying sounds. Often 3/16" is about as low as many would go (pup magnet height to string) considering the re-bound, etc.

awilkie84 · #12 07-30-2011, 06:17 PM

It sounds like you play with a downward strike on your strings, causing them to be percussive and hit the frets directly in front of where you're fretting. I do the same thing and roll my tone off a bit to reduce it. I've been working on my form a bit to try & reduce it as best I can.

steelhead2 · #13 07-30-2011, 08:20 PM

and figure out a pickup height that'll work,when i garnered'enough' wattage i had to lower my pickups,he!! i play em'

so if you have limited ampadge,ampage,,yeah something like that,,,,if you'fingerplay' you shouldn't have to do more than touch the strings to get your point across,that's why bass amps have so much power,,

ok no bashing here but what folks here on TB said was cool(like 4 64/ths or whatever between the strings and PuPs did not work for me=too close and the bass side needed calming,work on p/u heights to find a balance that works for YOU,and open up the knobs on the instrument is my rec.=no bashing here(i'm in a hurry to finish this post/dinner

=PEACE enjoy the fun

winndaddy · #14 08-02-2011, 02:14 AM

Use a pick and you won't have a problem anymore.

RockingLoud · #15 08-02-2011, 07:11 AM

Can someone provide examples of songs where the clicking percussive sound would be desired? Just curious...

diehard70 · #16 08-02-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockingLoud

Can someone provide examples of songs where the clicking percussive sound would be desired? Just curious...

Anything from Korn.

ZiggyDude · #17 08-02-2011, 08:31 AM

A few years ago I started recording every gig with hand held recorders. (Zoom H2, Q3, Q3HD) and what a revelation! (It is also very humbling :->)

I have discovered something that I call "High Frequency Blowby". Basically - you don't hear high frequencies coming out of your amp as well since they are directional and zapping out.

That click can sometimes be used well - but you need to be sure that what sounds good to you is not too much - as even more of it is going out to the area in front of you. Same is true if you are using a raspy sound and a pick.

In all fairness - the recorders seem to over emphasize it some. But that is OK since if you can make it sound OK on the recorder then you are probably great in reality.

So, I am not saying to never click. Just be aware you might be sending more than you are hearing.

RocThrower · #18 08-03-2011, 10:25 AM

I would also like to echo the posts that it could be technique. I haven't recorded in years, but our band put a couple songs down recently, and after listening back to the takes, I realized my technique has gotten pretty sloppy. There were times when the clicking was very noticeable, but not desireable in the context of the song. I have taken the advice of many on TB and have incorporated a lighter touch with increasing the gain on my amp. I didn't like it at first, but now my tone is richer, sustain is better, and the clicking is gone (but I can turn it back on if needed). I guess I just needed to pay more attention to my right-hand technique; it was easy for me to overlook.

lokikallas · #19 08-06-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockingLoud

Can someone provide examples of songs where the clicking percussive sound would be desired? Just curious...

Iron Maiden, Cannibal Corpse, Korn...
It is very common in metal and hard rock. I do it all the time. Bouncing the strings off the fretboard, or fingerboard in the case of fretless, is a great way to get a strong attack. While some do it with finesse, as in Iron Maiden, some also beat it to death like Korn.

grendle · #20 08-06-2011, 07:18 PM

Action is a balancing act. On a perfect setup an 1/8 th of a turn on anything may be too high or low. I think you just have to find what works for you not anyone else. Clicks can be very useful and usually compliment the kick or snare.