D String Vibrating the G? (and vice versa)

[Khymera]

Hey,

I'm an utterly novice bass player, so I'm not even certain if this is something typical for all basses or a set-up issue with mine.

My new bass sounds fine on all strings when played through an amp speaker. However, when I'm playing through headphones (which, unfortunately, I have to do 99% of the time right now), I'm noticing that plucking/picking either of the high strings sets up a tiny vibration in the other one. It's not loud enough to sound like a note...more like a pure, sustained frequency. This sound continues after I mute the string I played--I know it's coming from the other string (though I can't even see it vibrating), because muting that string stops the sound.

It's a cumulative effect too--after one note it's not so bad, but after playing 3 notes on the same string it starts sounding like a train whistle howling under all my sound. Very annoying. I can mitigate it by muting the string I'm not playing, but that's probably bad for my technique.

I'm certain that I'm not touching the other string in any way to start this up--it just happens when I play the adjacent string.

Again, this frequency isn't audible at all when played through an amp speaker, but it makes things a little unpleasant through headphones.

Anyone have any experience with an issue like this? Is this something that all basses do to some extent, or just mine? Will getting it set up again help? Could something else be causing it?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-Adam

[Scottgun]

If you are not muting the other strings, there is going to be some vibration on them (there is some academic name for this phenomenon that I can't recall). That's just the way it is. This is why some players buy a hair scrunchy and put it over the nut.

[gre107]

What you are experiencing is called sympathetic harmonics/resonance. This happens quite often with string instruments. There are even rooms in my house that when I play a certain note the ceiling tiles or windows will buzz due to this.

There is not much you can do to stop the ceiling from vibrating except turn down a little but for the bass you need to work on your left or right hand "muting" technique. Also, you can wrap one of those hair "scrungees" (sp?) around your neck to help dampen the vibration. Vic Wooten and many others do this.

Hope this helps.

[Khymera]

Excellent. Thanks for the info. As I said, I suspected that this might be inherent to all basses, but couldn't be sure.

I actually haven't had any problem keeping it "muted" with my left hand--I was just afraid it might be a bad habit to get into.

Good to know that everything's working fine. Thanks again.

[walterw]

it's inherent with all stringed instruments, and controlling the effect is a basic part of any playing technique.

[ehque]

Originally Posted by Khymera

I can mitigate it by muting the string I'm not playing, but that's probably bad for my technique.

I'm sure you realise it by now, but a good muting system is part of good technique. There are a few muting techniques you can use, from floating thumb to using your right hand. Experiment and see what works for you.

A good muting system allows you to turn your amp up, increasing punch, clarity, and generally making you sound like a better bassist.