Squier Affinity P Bass: High Treble = Noisy

netgeist · #1 03-17-2010, 10:00 AM

First, my apologies if this has been addressed before. I am a new player and don't know enough of the terminology to even begin to know how to search the forums for my problem.

I purchased a Squier Affinity P Bass about a month ago and I love playing. I'm of course working on my technique but am struggling because of something I find very distracting.

When I open up the tone setting to higher treble, I can hear EVERYTHING I do with the bass. If I press a string, I can hear the tinking sound of it striking the fretboard through the amp. If I move across a string, I can hear that sound really loud. It distracts me because I can't necessarily hear how clean the note itself is with all of the background noise. Is this what's called fret buzz?

When I put it all the way down to the bass setting, I don't have that problem. Just more natural sounding tones. But muted and bassier than I want for certain songs.

Is this a technique issue? A setup issue?

Please help,

- netgeist

Cannabass · #2 03-17-2010, 10:23 AM

you could try pumping up the tone on your bass and using the EQ on your amp to level things out...

if all else fails, assume its a technique issue and practice!!! lol

megadan · #3 03-17-2010, 10:43 AM

It's just a matter of practice. Over time your fingers will move quicker and not squeak on the strings as much.
It's also a matter of settings: try rolling off the tone knob about half way, but then boosting the treble on the amp. That way you knock off the string noise but still have some high end on the notes.
You can also get good results from changing strings. flatwound strings have less noise and less high end.

Pilgrim · #4 03-17-2010, 12:16 PM

This is partly due to new strings, which always sound very bright - something which some folks prefer, others dislike it. It's also somewhat due to technique, which you are in the process of developing.

Part of it is also - the way it is. When you hear a band play, you don't hear the minor noises of fingers sliding on strings and striking the string on frets because the overall sound level masks it.

Adjusting the tone control on the bass essentially turns down the volume of high frequencies, so you won't hear as much of this high-frequency zingy stuff. As the strings age and mellow, they will lose some of that obnoxious high end. Flatwound strings will have less of the objectionable brightness.

netgeist · #5 03-17-2010, 12:51 PM

Hmmm...never considered strings. I know my Dad loves flat-wounds on his electric guitar but I always thought they were for jazz. Are they good for classic rock/blues?

Any recommendations on which ones to get? I have no idea what came on the P Bass and wouldn't know what gauge to buy.

megadan · #6 03-17-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netgeist

Hmmm...never considered strings. I know my Dad loves flat-wounds on his electric guitar but I always thought they were for jazz. Are they good for classic rock/blues?

Any recommendations on which ones to get? I have no idea what came on the P Bass and wouldn't know what gauge to buy.

Yes, flats on a P would be a very typical configuration for blues/classic rock. Some people would prefer wounds for more advanced rock.

netgeist · #7 03-17-2010, 06:40 PM

What gauge would I need as a newb? Any brand recommendations?

- netgeist

stratovani · #8 03-17-2010, 06:52 PM

I'd go with the Fender 9050Ls for starters. Good, inexpensive flatwound strings that will sound warmer the longer you play them. And no finger squeak either.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ght?sku=423285

Pilgrim · #9 03-17-2010, 09:26 PM

Flatwounds are THE strings for classic rock...in the 60's that's about all there was for bass. The Fenders are inexpensive and would be a good introduction to flats. The set linked above with .045 -.100 would probably work great - and the price is super. I'm a bit more fond of the medium gauge 9050ML (.050-.100), but there's not a huge difference.

Muckaluck · #10 03-18-2010, 10:01 AM

Yes, sounds like a string issue to me as well.

Consider the fenders flatwounds, although they can get pretty tight. Many people like D'addario Chromes. I just bought a Squire Affinity P and I put the medium gauge set on my bass. After playing for about 5-10 hours, the strings are setting in nicely. Just make sure if you get the Chromes that you give them a couple hours playing time to settle in.

guroove · #11 03-18-2010, 10:06 AM

Fender flats are pretty stiff, high tension strings. Chromes are somewhat high tension as well, unless you go for a light gauge. They are also pretty bright. DR flats only come in standard gauge, and are close to the same tension as standard gauge rounds. LaBella flats are also pretty close to the same tension as rounds, and come in many different gauges. They have a lot of the growly mid character without the string noise of rounds, but are on the expensive side. GHS flats are nice, and also pretty inexpensive, and come in a variety of gauges. For a beginner, I'd recommend something light, with low tension.

Pilgrim · #12 03-18-2010, 10:37 AM

OK, I confess - Labella Deep Talkin' flats are my all-time favorite. Great sounding strings, last for years if not decades. They're not cheap (see juststrings.com for the best prices I know of) but they're great. D'Addario Chromes are my second favorite.

The Fender flats are a nice, inexpensive way to get into flats; to me that's their main virtue.

All flats need at least a couple of weeks after installation to mellow out before they sound they way they're going to.

netgeist · #13 03-18-2010, 01:38 PM

I'll try the flats for sure...I'll see what I can find locally. How long do strings take to break in? The originals have gotten about 25 hours of play time and still sound/feel the same.

- netgeist

guroove · #14 03-18-2010, 01:43 PM

It depends on how much you sweat / secrete from your hands. I found out a long time ago that I'm what forensic scientists call a non-secreter, meaning my fingertips lack the glands that leave fingerprints on things. Another side-effect of this is that my strings seem to last forever, and rounds sound brand new for a really long time. Sometimes it takes months before my strings start to sound broken in.

chunger · #15 03-18-2010, 06:34 PM

I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but the issue may not be the strings, but the setup that is not allowing you to move smoothly on the bass. I think it would be safe to assume that a large percentage of Squier affinity instruments are not set up anywhere near proper from the factory.

You may actually not be able to move around on that bass without squeaking it because the strings are too high, etc. Are you able to get a mm ruler and make some 1mm marks on the edge of a business card? Stick that card next to the string on the 12th fret and measure how high it is from the fret to the bottom of the string. Is it ~2-2.5mm? Is it 4mm? huge difference.

A well set up bass coupled with good technique should allow you to play round wounds wide open with acceptable squeak factor.

netgeist · #16 03-18-2010, 09:05 PM

Thanks guys....you've been very helpful. Though I am a little concerned about why forensics know so much about Guroove's hands.

It's not really the squeak that bothers me. I know that's because I am new and it is getting better as I improve. It's the very loud clunk of the strings hitting the fretboard that actually plays through the amp.

I switched to flat wounds tonight. There's no squeak in my playing now and it muffled the thudding a bit. I find them mostly more comfortable, although there's a tacky feeling that almost makes my striking fingers stick on the strings, not bounce off of them like I did with the round wounds. I'm hoping as I get used to them and they break in, that will lessen.

If nothing else, I really like the sound improvement from the new strings, so thanks again guys!

- netgeist

netgeist · #17 03-18-2010, 09:36 PM

Also, I just ordered a Schecter Deluxe 4 Diamond Series Bass. I'm looking forward to seeing how they stack up against each other. It certainly felt awesome.

netgeist · #18 03-20-2010, 09:25 AM

Great call on the setup, Chunger. I adjusted the truss rod yesterday and most of that plinking sound is now gone. I think I will bring the saddles down a bit, since the clearance on the 12th fret is close 4mm. It was about 5 but the neck's nice and straight now, so I don't want to mess with the rod again.

Pilgrim · #19 03-20-2010, 10:39 AM

With the setup improved, you're ready for flats.

Check Elderly Instruments http://elderly.com/brand/STBS_labella.html and Imperial Guitars' http://imperialguitar.stores.yahoo.net/ websites for MUCH better prices on Labellas than Juststrings.com...I just got those tips from another TB thread.

I'd say stay light to medium gauge on the Labellas - their heavy gauge strings are like tugboat hawsers to me.