E string fret clank problem

[5str]

Hello guys. I have a problem with the E string since a few months ago:
Every time I play a fast song (mostly with many continuous 16th notes) the E string clanks upon the frets causing much noise and it gets tiring plus it is annoying, and the actual note is heard equally to the clank. (pretty bad I assure you )

I wonder now wether it is a string/setup problem (although the E string isn't that much loose) or a technique problem. I assumed that it might be a technique problem partially because when playing the E string (notice that I have a 4 string bass) there is nothing to stop my fingers, as there is each time the very lower string when playing the upper ones.

So if it is a technique problem are there any exercises to solve this annoying fret clank on the E string (apart from the "less strength" one)?

Thanks in advance!!

[Russell L]

Could be technique, but I bet it's more to do with set-up. But first, trying to evaluate how hard you pluck the strings, and see if a lighter touch (if possible) helps. Some folks require higher action than others. I do.

[Gasman]

Truss rod adjustment should fix it. Over time, with changes in weather and humidity, necks will bend a bit. I typically redo my setups once a year.

[5str]

To Russell--> "(apart from the "less strength" one)"
To Gasman--> So why does the E string only clanks? :/

[JKos]

Are you picking, plucking, one-finger, two-finger, etc.? When you put the string in motion, is the vibration parallel to the frets/fretboard at the low E string position or are you putting an angle on it?

- John

[gunlak]

nut too low, put some shims on it or get a new one

[JKos]

> nut too low, put some shims on it or get a new one

That made me think of more questions... Is the problem only with the open E? Or, what frets or range of frets?

- John

[IncX]

you'll reduce a lot of the clank if you played near the bridge

[Mayers]

it may be a technic problem. Maybe you're attacking the E string in a different position making the string vibrate in a different way ... all the other string vibrate up/down while the E string vibrate back/foward so the string hit the frets every time. You may need to change your position ...

All that is just speculation. Maybe a vid or picture could help with your problem.

[5str]

Answers:
The motion of the string is parallel to the fretboard.
I use almost the same position as other strings (about half or a whole centimeter of difference).
I don't know if the nut has a problem. Probably, so I'll go check it out.
I am plucking with 3 fingers most of the time and rarely with two (ring-middle-index/index-middle)
The problem is only with the E string. Well the others clank a bit, but it's just a few, it's not even heard, not in the mix nor even covering the note or being heard a lot.
Oh and it happens in all frets (well except the last one) and in open E as well (though more rarely).

[gunlak]

ah, it rarely clanks at open E, so no problems on the nut there.
I think your bass needs a fret dress and after that, a wee bit higher action till your liking

[5str]

It might be many things, but I once adjusted the string's height from the bridge, it kept on clanking as if almost nothing had changed, and made me getting tired on both hands.

[genericusername]

With my bass, it happens with strings where the E has lower tension but similar action to the other strings. I pluck it with the same force I'd pluck one of the other strings with, and suddenly I get Steve Harris tone.

[Electrophonic]

First, set up your bass properly. You can use these four videos as a guide: Setting Up Your Bass Guitar: Adjusting The Truss Rod (Step 1 of 4) - YouTube

If you follow Carruthers exactly, you can't go wrong. Plus you'll have a perfectly set up bass which will make playing so much greater.

After doing that, look at your technique and try different approaches. I am sure the set up plus technique will sort your problem.

[Jay2U]

Apart from set-up and lower tension, which is mostly the case with the E-string, your plucking finger can leave the string without another string being in the way. This makes it easier to just push it a little deeper before releasing it. If you have the opportunity to play another bass, you may be able to find out whether it is you or your bass.

[john grey]

If all other issues are expounded and eliminated -
I tend to think it's technique because the issue appears with the heaviest string. If the string with the greatest mass, diameter, & weight is plucked with the same energy as those with less it MAY be combing a wider vibration area, etc.
When you play your scales, consciously set your finger directly behind the fret w/ more emphasis than usual. This does two things: it makes for a cleanly fretted note (obviously) and to calls attention to the degree of "pluck" that you right hand provides.

Some people see basses setup so low on a flat plane neck that they cannot play them and wonder how anyone could. They then see some pretty famous people use setup JUST LIKE THAT. if you look closely you will see that they are right damn well behind the fret with some significant finger tension on the string. This allows the string to clear the frets cleanly when a degree of practice is added of a differing touch for different strings. This can be accomplished with a pick, finger, Slap, etc. Once the fretted finger is anywhere but right behind the fret, the vibration can "travel" to other areas of the neck. Relief can help but too many people have played fantastically well with no relief and with a degree of string height that is about the width of a nickel. The dependent factors are the placement of the fret finger, it's tension, & the variation of the pluck or strike. The variation of string height would only need to take into account the need for any bending of a note if so needed; if not the whole of the fret-board can maintain itself at the same level.
An exercise that help a great deal is to get hold of a book and recording of Classical music such as Bach which requires a great deal of "feel" to the tempo and is not particularly difficult from a technological standpoint on the fretboard but demands a great deal of touch and pick one (Suite #3 in C Major) that uses some fretted E string & devote yourself to it. I would be willing to bet that once you had become proficient in that, your technique would soar.

[sawzalot]

Make sure you are really "plucking"--the motion should be like you're pulling your finger from the string to your thumb, wherever it may be resting. Sometimes problems like this show up on the lowest string because on the others you have the next string in line to pull to; on the lowest strings your thumb might be resting on a weird spot on a pickup/etc and your motion is different.

When I first was learning how to play I would almost hammer the strings with my fingers, producing a clank like what you're describing--but it was on all the strings. A little touching up my right hand technique fixed it.

The other thing I'd suggest would be to get a bass-playing friend over to watch your right hand while you play, or videotape your right hand and see if there's anything weird going on there. Also, have another bass player play your bass and see if the same problem shows up. If it does, it's the bass. If it doesn't, it's you.