Clicking Noise?

[danjl131]

hey im not sure if this thread belongs in the technique forum because my problem could be technique related or gear related. i have a MIM j bass and hartke kickback 12. recently i noticed when i play fingerstyle i get an unwanted clicking noise in addition to my sound when i strike the string. this does not happen when i play pick style however i prefer using my fingers. when i strike the strings softer with fingers the clicking noise is not as loud or not even there but my volume is too quiet when i play this way. i was wondering if this noise happens to be because of technique or pickups, amp, cable, etc. plz tell me how i can get rid of this noise it ruins my tone. also this doesnt have to do with eq becuz it still happens even with the eq knobs flat.

[Austinhow]

Sounds like your fingerstyle is causing the string to hit the fretboard when you dig into it. Maybe you're pushing the string into the bass causing it to vibrate perpendicular to the bass rather then parallel to it. With the pick you're getting more of a up down motion when you play.

[Ric5]

Do you play flats?

Flatwound strings can make a lot of cicking noises when played fingerstyle.

[gre107]

sounds like you're pickups are too high.

[WhiteKnuckles]

...or strings too low.

[lexxmexx]

I am experiencing the opposite, the clicking sounds were produced when I do pickstyle.

[funkydanbass]

This can be caused by just playing too hard...

[Martin Bormann]

A clicking from striking the strings with your fingers. Are you sure it's not a click you get from your finger nails hitting the string?

[BullHorn]

It is a mix of poor technique combined with alot of highs/tone.

[Lizooki]

With all these answers ... any of which could be right ... it would probably be best to find someone knowledgeable enuff to watch you play to see what's happening.


Matt

[GreggBummer]

Originally Posted by Lizooki

With all these answers ... any of which could be right ... it would probably be best to find someone knowledgeable enuff to watch you play to see what's happening.


Matt

There's your answer.

I do this exact same thing. Equipment wise you can mitigate the sound somewhat by lowering the pickups or raising your strings a bit. However that will NOT eleminate the problem. You have a right hand position and plucking issue that needs to be addressed by a teacher.

For me, rotating my wrist outward so that my fingers were closer to being perpendicular to the strings helped. Also, I got a bigger amp and that allowed me to have a softer touch. I don't have to play hard to be loud. A new amp is NOT the answer, but playing with a lighter touch is. A teacher will help you. I am 35 years old and have been playing bass since 16. I still have a teacher

Word of caution: Old habits die hard. When I am tired or playing live I tend to relax a little TOO MUCH and the clicking noise returns. A good monitor mix fixes that problem (and staying sober helps too.)

GOOD THREAD.

[rarisgod]

The same thing used to happen to me, turns out it was something wrong with my tone setting on my bass. I guess the knob got bent (in such a way inside so I couldn't really tell without examining it) so I could never turn the tone off or on all the way. Something like that.