Is my setup bad or just my technique?

Poor Tom · #1 07-18-2009, 01:46 PM

My strings very often times hit the frets when I play, which tends to cause a clicking sound out of the amp. The style I play with my fingers is very comfortable to me, and I guess I tend to have a downward angle/attack on the strings. Is this a technique problem or a setup problem? The only solution I can think of is to raise the action, but for it to effectively stop the clicking altogether I would have to raise it to a level that seems ridiculous to me and becomes uncomfortable to play.

I'm pretty perplexed right now, any thoughts or ideas? Thanks guys.

Kevmove · #2 07-18-2009, 02:20 PM

It may be a technique issue, but is more likely a problem with neck relief. If you have backbow on your bass neck, that would create a clanging problem that can't be fixed by raising the action. It may also be a nut issue. Some pictures might help with making a diagnosis.

totallyfrozen · #3 07-18-2009, 03:40 PM

Could your treble be set too high?
Bass is noisy anyway and you tend to hear those noises if you play without an amp. If you're hearing it through your amp, it could be that you have your treble boosted too much.

Post some pix if you can.

draftsmann · #4 07-18-2009, 04:05 PM

Are you saying that you tend to get your finger under the string so that when you pluck it snaps against the frets? If so, it sounds like your technique is the cause. It's only a "problem" if you don't like the sound. If you want a warmer/fuller sound it seems to me you'll need to rotate your wrist/hand in order to alter how you attack the string. It may be that you can compensate by altering the angle at which you hang the bass.

I've played bass guitar for coming up 30 years but am still a novice at double bass, and I was having a similar problem to yours on upright. What helped in my case was, having found the right hand position and plucking style that gave the sound I wanted, to practice in front of a mirror.

IMHO, the only "bad" habits a musician can have are those that (a) give a bad sound (which is of course subjective and dependent on the style played and the sound the player wants to hear) and or (b) might lead to RSI or other injury for the player.

Good luck in resolving it.

Adrian

Poor Tom · #5 07-18-2009, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the responses guys.

Adrian, The issue is the opposite of what you said. My finger isn't popping the string up from underneath, it's basically slamming the string down into the frets from above. I can stop this from happening by playing softer and more reserved, but this consciously takes away from the feeling I put into my playing and the tone I get(aside from the clicking). When playing in a way that feels more natural to me, this issue occurs quite a bit.

I don't think the treble control has anything to do with this issue. Sorry I can't post any pictures since I do not have a camera.

kpeluso · #6 07-18-2009, 08:28 PM

While I dont have an answer for you, I can say that I have exactly the same "problem" as you and like you, its only when I play with "feeling". Its not always audible through the amp but I know its happening. In my experiences, no one else really notices it.

I know mine isnt a neck relief issue as it happens on every bass I have and my main player just had some professional work done and a thorough checkup.

Poor Tom · #7 07-18-2009, 08:37 PM

kpeluso: yeah this happens on both of my basses and I am also sure it isn't a relief issue. The only solution I have ever found of stopping the sound from coming through the amp is to roll off the tone knob. I hate doing this because then the bass sounds muddy and loses much of its characteristics, or TONE! :P

Spedracer · #8 07-18-2009, 08:42 PM

Sounds like you are just digging in a bit, playing hard. It is a technique issue, so if you don't like what you are hearing then get a louder amp and play softer.

I usually dig in excessively when i cant hear myself cutting through. Almost subconsciously. But i still dig in a lot when i play, gives it a nice slap-esque sound. Cutting out the treble a bit would be a good idea, and its certainly easier than learning to play softer.

draftsmann · #9 07-19-2009, 03:30 AM

What string gauges d'you use Tom? Heavier/higher tension strings usually suit players who "dig in" more.

Adrian

Poor Tom · #10 07-19-2009, 04:51 PM

I've been playing with light and super light gauges. Maybe time to try something new...gosh finding the right strings is such a long and annoying(and pricey!) process.