SETUP AND PLUCKING HAND QUESTION????

[LilRay]

Those of you in the know;
Do you setup a bass differently for someone that plucks primarily with their thumb instead of the more common index/forefinger?

The reason I ask, I play thumb/index combo and it seems that my thumb plucked notes although plucked harder are quieter than those plucked with my index finger.

Index finger notes I can barely touch and get an equal volume with those that I use my thumb on. Although I know (for obvoius reasons) that my thumb attack is much heavier.

Doesn't matter which bass, same result. Same tech setup all three of my basses.

If anyone needs to know I play fingerstyle only (no slapping)

Is there something in the setup I can alter to get more even response or is it simply poor technique on my part?

God Bless, Ray

[ByF]

Maybe you need to set the pickup height to emphasize the bass strings more and the treble strings less. I assume you're plucking the E and A with your thumb and the D and G with your index?

Ed

[relbling]

When I use my thumb I get a softer response from the bass. I think that's just the way it works. More of a "mwah" sound then when using fingers. Just my $0.02.

[Benjamin Strange]

The reason that you get a louder response from finger style playing rather than slap playing is is party because each style moves the string differently through the magnetic field of your pickup. Fingerstyle moves the string laterally through the magnetic field, and generates more current than slap, which moves the strings up and down AWAY from the magnet, which doesn't generate as much current.

Also, slap styles are percussive in nature, which bring out the overtone series of the string rather than the fundamental, which also makes it seem quieter.

[LilRay]

Originally Posted by ByF

Maybe you need to set the pickup height to emphasize the bass strings more and the treble strings less. I assume you're plucking the E and A with your thumb and the D and G with your index?

Ed

Ed, It doesn't matter which strings are plucked, same result. I can actually pluck certain rhythms better with my index but I'm more accurate with my thumb. I pluck all strings with both fingers depending on what I want out of the note.

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

The reason that you get a louder response from finger style playing rather than slap playing is is party because each style moves the string differently through the magnetic field of your pickup. Fingerstyle moves the string laterally through the magnetic field, and generates more current than slap, which moves the strings up and down AWAY from the magnet, which doesn't generate as much current.

Also, slap styles are percussive in nature, which bring out the overtone series of the string rather than the fundamental, which also makes it seem quieter.

Ben, I think you've misunderstood, and if i've posed the question oddly I apologise.

I play fingerstyle only. I cannot slap (at least correctly) so I don't try to.

The difference is occuring simply by switching plucking fingers, in other words same string same note, different plucking finger=different volume/attack.

This may well be just poor technique on my part, I wouldn't doubt that. BUT I don't know. That's why I am asking for opinions.

God Bless, Ray

[Benjamin Strange]

Well, each finger will sound different, because each finger has different mass, therefore different attack.