Eliminating accidental harmonics on the G string

[basslust]

It took me awhile to figure out why my sound on my G string was not what I wanted it to be and I finally figured out that I'm triggering harmonics by my fingerstyle fingers scraping over the string. Can I change strings lighter or heavier (they are currently somewhere in the middle) to help with the problem? With the strings I have on, it seems that to get a full sound I have to plow through the G string with more force than I want to apply. Or, maybe this is more a problem of technique?

Any advice is appreciated.

[john grey]

It take two (fingers) to tango. A harmonic overtone is very often the product of the struck note as a whole. It might be that your fretted finger is not close and tight to the fret and /or the plucking finger creates a brush or slip; creating the harmonic.

Nearly any string will create a harmonic; changing them may not be your best move. Attention to detail such as the fret finger just behind the fret with enough force to depress the string and enough contact in your plucking to truly vibrate will possibly loose the harmonic. Details such as finger nails may occasionally contribute.

[TomA1234]

You could try putting some light muting under the string to deaden any unwanted harmonics.

[thomasthecat]

if you mute with your fretting hand, like lay them flat on the strings this will eliminate all unwanted notes/harmonics/tones whatever haha

[basslust]

Maybe harmonics isn't the right word... It makes the same sound as if I'm hitting a harmonic when I'm picking, a little high pitched metallic *puh* sound, definitely not from the fretting hand as I'm pressing correctly. It really sounds like the way the picking fingers are going over the string is what is wrong, maybe the angle of my hand is just poor all the way down on the G string.

[XylemBassGuitar]

Changing strings might help, but it sounds like focusing your efforts on technique would be more useful.

Maybe try this, change to a different brand of strings with a different gauge than what you are using now. If you don't notice a major change in the harmonic-like sound, then you should probably change your technique a little rather than changing your strings a bunch of times to find the right ones.

BTW, how new are the strings you're using right now?

[thomasthecat]

are you fretting a note on the g?