I need some help, this is really starting to bother me

[Dale Gribble]

Ok so here it goes. I have a Fender Hwy 1 P-Bass with SD 1/4Pounders that I run through a Behringer BX600. My problem is that I get this real annoying sound that sounds to like a bad slap to me. I like to play finger style and it may be because I get to into it but if I speed up even the slightest bit it makes the sound. I don't know if it's the 1/4's or not. I lowered them to no avail, my action is just where I like it any higher would be hard to play, and I've tweaked my setting numerous times. I can't take it any more. It never happens when I play with a pick (well a Dunlop .60 Nylon at least). I want a nice round, fat tone, much like Freewill by Rush, but still being able to have a sound like Longview when using a pick. I don't know if I should put the stock pickups back in or what. I'd just like to be able to get those sounds by using what I already have as I'm strapped for cash right now. All help would be much appreciated. Thanks


BTW, here are my amp settings. I have also tried turning my tone knob down but it didn't help and made it to muddy

Bass: 2:00, +2
Low Mid: 4:00, +4
High Mid: 2:00, +2
High: 12:00, 0
Shape: Kind of like a tone knob, the higer up the deeper the sound

[Jim Carr]

Here is what I do with an x1200 I have to use on a broadcast with a
Lakland and a Jazz.

I find this amp to be very much not to my liking, but I have to use it.
I don't and wouldn't own it.

Turn the shape OFF. Set bass and low mid on 2:00, high mid on 12:00
and high on 10:00. This sounds basically "flat." Then tweak (roll-off) the
tone control on the P-bass as desired. Hope this helps.

[Dale Gribble]

It's not the amp I just wanted to know if it's my pickups or strings. I just gave my amp setting to see if that was the issue. It's just to high pitched and I can't raise the string or it will be impossible to play. It's just making a bad slap sound whenever I play to hard.

[jeffhigh]

Sounds like you are plucking too hard and pushing the next string against the frets making a clicky sound.
You need to ease off and improve your technique.

[Dale Gribble]

Originally Posted by jeffhigh

Sounds like you are plucking too hard and pushing the next string against the frets making a clicky sound.
You need to ease off and improve your technique.

I figured it out earlier. I can play real soft it's just when I'm playing along to something else I start to pluck hard. When I'm making stuff up I'm fine.

[Jeralya]

Raise action or lower pickups

If you want an fat tone but still able to get really agressive if you want, I find the best setup a medium action with a raised top pickup angling VERY slightly upward and a bottom pickup with a slightly sharper decrease.

[Hambone]

Learn a better technique!

[Dale Gribble]

I'm just playing with a pick now. I'll swicth off depending on songs but I'm more comfortable and better with a pick.


Edit: Played closer to the bridge and it stopped making the sound. It was probably my strings. I need to try out different ones anyway cause my A string rattles to much if I lower/raise the bridge

[davefarrell]

that happens with any bass that has low action if im not mistaken i don't think it's technique