Clicking strings on setup

Andy_D · #1 04-15-2011, 02:37 PM

I have a new Cort B5 Artisan that of course was not set up when I received it. I've spent several hours so far trying to get the action set the way I like it. As soon as I start to get it close to where I want it while lowering the action I get annoying clicking sounds out of the stings. My guess is that they are slapping the frets ahead of my fretting hand when I pluck the string. I have tried all combination's of neck relief and saddle heights and just can't seem to get this one dialed in. I now have it as low as it will go with probably just a bit more neck relief than I usually use, and the B & G string saddles are just about bottomed out and have no more travel left.

About all I can think to do next is to shim the neck with one shim to raise the entire neck and maybe a small additional shim toward the headstock side to elevate the headstock side of the neck. This should provide a little more travel on the saddles and maybe a little neck tilt to allow me to reduce the neck relief.

I own 7 other basses and do my own setups. Usually I don't have any problems and can dial everything in quickly but this one is a real challenge and is driving me nuts. While I've dealt with buzzing strings before this is the first time I've really had deal with clicking instead of buzzing. Has anyone else ever come across this? If so what did you do to alleviate it?

tangentmusic · #2 04-15-2011, 02:50 PM

Are you sure it is not the string hitting the p'up causing a clicking sound?
You may try lowering the p'up

BassMan4Him · #3 04-15-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangentmusic

Are you sure it is not the string hitting the p'up causing a clicking sound?
You may try lowering the p'up

+1 I had this problem for a while just to find out it was the pickup..

Andy_D · #4 04-15-2011, 03:11 PM

Nope, it's not the string hitting the pickup, that was the first thing I checked. It's definitely "clicking" against the fretboard, and not "buzzing". Usually a buzz will be persistent but the clicking is just there when you pluck the string. I mean this is the weirdest thing because I've setup plenty of other basses but have never encountered this before.

If I strike my E-string hard right now it will click and if I put my ear close to the fretboard there is no doubt that's where it's coming from. A single annoying click and that's it no buzz.

Frankly I'm stumped.

jbednarski · #5 04-15-2011, 03:23 PM

Had this problem on one of my basses. I switched from a round core string to a stiffer, hex core string. That plus a small adjustment in my playing technique=problem solved.

tangentmusic · #6 04-15-2011, 03:25 PM

Yeah.. try different strings. Weird situation man..

Andy_D · #7 04-15-2011, 05:00 PM

Thanks, I'll have to give the strings change a try. BTW it came strung with Nickel D'Addario XLB130+EXL's (45-130) on it. I have a set of Naked Strings Nickel (40-125) on hand right now... a little lighter guage. Do you guys think these would help or make things worse? They play great on my BTB (35" scale) and it has super low action.