That annoying clicking sound

punkfacenat · #1 07-31-2006, 11:17 AM

I been playing bass for about 3 or 4 years now off and although my skills are getting better, the clicking sound that I get from the strings hitting the fret board has not gotten any better at all. It makes recording a real struggle when the clicks come out louder than the bass.

I have noticed that I can get the sound to go away when I play with a pick, but I am finger man. Do you have any technique suggestions of how to get rid of the clicks?

**WillPlay4Food** · #2 07-31-2006, 12:49 PM

Sounds like you are pushing down on the string when you pluck them. Pluck towards your chin, not toward the bass body. Your plucking fingers should be straight and swipe across the top of the strings.

Atoz · #3 07-31-2006, 01:03 PM

If you don't already do so, playing close to the bridge will help mitigate that problem to a degree; though your tone won't be as "woody" that way. If you are picking closer to the bridge than you would normally play fingerstyle, that might be a contributing factor as to why the fretboard click is diminished when you pick.

Has your bass been set up recently? In incorrect neck bow or too low an action can cause all sorts of clickiness.

Kickin'Fruit · #4 07-31-2006, 01:06 PM

When you pluck a string try to bring your plucking finger to your thumb like you are doing a sobriety test with the (1-2-3-4, 4-3-2-1) method.

FunkSlap89 · #5 07-31-2006, 02:15 PM

When I read this thread title i immediatly thought "Fieldy?"

Atoz · #6 07-31-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkSlap89

When I read this thread title i immediatly thought "Fieldy?"

LOL... So did I!

Bassist4Life · #7 07-31-2006, 02:36 PM

When your plucking finger comes off the string your plucking, it may be hitting the next lower string and smacking it against the frets. This used to happen to me.

Joe

JustOpenYourMind · #8 07-31-2006, 02:41 PM

Pluck the strings parralel to the body not toward it.

RichGlass · #9 07-31-2006, 03:21 PM

Try everything idea that's listed here, and also spend time recording yourself. Alter your technique until the clicking begins to dissipate. Use a mirror to critique your technique in real time. Find a teacher that can work with you directly one to one to coach you on solving these problems. Listen to and view great players in all styles and emulate them as much as possible.

I hope this helps you on your journey...

Fliptrique · #10 07-31-2006, 03:26 PM

That clicking sound may be a very valuable method of playing in certain situation.

But if you don`t want to hit the frets, well... just don`t hit them. Sit down with your bass and just play really, really slow. Analyze your finger movement, try different angles etc. etc. I think you`ll have the basics down within an hour or two.

WillBuckingham · #11 07-31-2006, 05:51 PM

I know this isn't a real popular solution, but after struggling with getting a good fingerstyle tone close to the neck for a long time, I wound up just putting more relief in the neck. I think the widely held belief that you should set your neck to be "straight with the slightest relief" is not a good one. Now I can play closer to the neck and I get a better tone and more swing.

PrimusNut · #12 07-31-2006, 11:30 PM

I had that same problem. Still do when i dont play near the bridge. Try to make it so your fingers just touch the strings when you pluck, enough for it to make a nice warm sound, but not too much that it will clank,and as also said, pull the strings up when you pluck, dont "hammer" the string with you fingers.

You could always raise you action, although it does put more strain on your fret hand. I raised my action and didnt like it.

pretaanluxis · #13 08-01-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrimusNut

pull the strings up when you pluck, dont "hammer" the string with you fingers.

I've been wondering about that for a while, thanks. But we're also ment to keep the fingers relatively straight too right?

thebassclef · #14 08-01-2006, 10:03 PM

Used to happen to me alot, too. All the Suggestions in this thread are very good ones, but I want to add one more. Use a light touch. Don't dig in. You do not get as much volume that way , but let the amp do the work, not your fingers. You'll notice that your hand does not get tired or cramped as quickly, either.

Nick Ioannucci · #15 08-01-2006, 10:23 PM

all fieldy jokes aside(SOOO HARD) dont pluck so hard, or pluck the string up towards you instead of into the bass. or you could try raising your action a little to see if that helps.

morf · #16 08-02-2006, 03:45 AM

Yeah playing softer is probably the answer to your problem. Lighter touch.

wateroftyne · #17 08-02-2006, 04:05 AM

I get this too.

I get around it by setting the tube gain of my amp (or preamp) to growl just enough to take the edge off the spikes.

Also, when I'm recording, I mic a cab where possible.

Crockettnj · #18 08-02-2006, 05:39 PM

My p bass didnt really get this clicking, but my newer jazz bass has it BAD.

I despise it, so i did th efollowing:

raised the action a little.

adjusted to playing on the bridge not the neck PU more often (dependant on song/sound though)

try fretting closer to each fret and not be sloppy about it.

switched to flats.

After all of this, I have it "pretty much" under control. the downside is that I have more trouble getting a bright sound now (flats).

Really I just could have solved the problem with the solution some here suggested- dont dig in so much. Old habits die hard, and digging in hard with my right hand is an OLD habit. I shoulda had some lessons back in the day. having played incorrectly for so long, it has been a bitch trying to play comfortably with a lighter touch.

best luck with your practice!

Kwaito · #19 08-13-2006, 08:16 AM

I spent years worrying about this, adjusting my setup and technique - but many famous and respected players don't seem to worry about this and they just play regerdless - there does seem to be 2 camps 'tho - many of the great session cats(Lee Sklar, Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus, Michael Rhodes, etc) claim to have medium to high action, which would solve this problem, but many other famous players (Victor Wooten, John Entwhistle, Billy Sheehan, Jaco, Stu Hamm, Flea, Dave Larue, etc) have low action with lots of string noise, clacking , buzzing, etc. and it doesn't seem to bother anyone....

the solution seems to be to have 2 basses, one set up for soloing and fiddly bits, and one set up for grooving and big tone? -

Kwaito · #20 08-13-2006, 11:55 AM

http://www.peavey.com/products/demos/bam210.cfm some examples of Stu Hamm with loads of rattle and clack