getting rid of string fret slap?

[mcapote]

not sure if this is the right section, anyways I been noticing lately that when I'm playing(fingers) and I get into faster parts(fast walking i guess it would be) I am getting a lot of fret clank when I play near the neck or over the pickup. I literally have to move to the bridge to tone the clank down but i hate the sound of my bass by the bridge not full enough a sound. I don't feel like I'm playing "hard" on the frets, I always felt I had a soft touch on the bass compared to other players and I don't play with low action. anything I can do to fix this? It happens on all my basses so obviously its something I'm doing or not doing.
my basses ive noticed it on
Spector Legend Custom
Ibanez SRX590
old style SX P Bass (Does it more on this bass than the others)

[JimmyM]

the sx does it because the pickups have polepieces that aren't flush to the pickup and you can easily bang the strings into them.

i'll give you the advice dave larue gave me for solving this problem:

"lighten up and play closer to the bridge."

didn't even look up from his bass when he said it. just blurted it out. it worked.

[mcapote]

I actually am playing on the bridge if you read my post, I just am not a fan of the tone. and it does it on my spector legend too. the strings aren't hitting the pickups though, it appears the noise it from hitting the bottom frets, not sure if changing action or relief will fix this?

[standupright]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

the sx does it because the pickups have polepieces that aren't flush to the pickup and you can easily bang the strings into them.

i'll give you the advice dave larue gave me for solving this problem:

"lighten up and play closer to the bridge."

didn't even look up from his bass when he said it. just blurted it out. it worked.

+1

plus try working on playing across the string instead of down and through it.

[Joe Murray]

Simple...back off the treble.

[T.A.P Bass]

I had this same problem. I found I was digging in with my right hand too much, and almost popping the strings. I've since adapted my style to that now I am using the tips of my fingers to almost brush the strings. I'm playing more across the face of the strings instead of from the bottoms... Change the angle of your approach when it comes to your right hand, you'd be surprised in the change of tone.

[mcapote]

Originally Posted by T.A.P Bass

I had this same problem. I found I was digging in with my right hand too much, and almost popping the strings. I've since adapted my style to that now I am using the tips of my fingers to almost brush the strings. I'm playing more across the face of the strings instead of from the bottoms... Change the angle of your approach when it comes to your right hand, you'd be surprised in the change of tone.

that very well could be, I noticed it does it more with my middle finger than my index too. I will check that out when I'm playing tonight.

[mcapote]

Originally Posted by standupright

+1

plus try working on playing across the string instead of down and through it.

does it if im playing on the open E or 12th fret E

[nysbob]

I have a similar issue with some straight P basses...for some reason it doesn't seem to happen on a P/J.

You might try lowering the pickup a little to see if that helps.

[Breslin dp]

Try resting your thumb of your right hand on the string above the string that you are playing on. It will help to keep the strings from making that clank. I will have to admit it takes a bit to get used to playing like this but it does help. Let me know if it helps.

True friends will always be there.

[mcapote]

Originally Posted by Breslin dp

Try resting your thumb of your right hand on the string above the string that you are playing on. It will help to keep the strings from making that clank. I will have to admit it takes a bit to get used to playing like this but it does help. Let me know if it helps.

True friends will always be there.

what do you do for e string? I tend to put my thumb on the pick guard over the e and on the e when playing a d g

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by mcapote

I actually am playing on the bridge if you read my post, I just am not a fan of the tone. and it does it on my spector legend too. the strings aren't hitting the pickups though, it appears the noise it from hitting the bottom frets, not sure if changing action or relief will fix this?

it will, but i'd rather lighten up my touch than make a bass harder to play. either that or develop a taste for the clank. some people do and in their context it sounds really cool.

[standupright]

run your pickups really hot, let the electronics work for you. play with a lighter touch.

[Tehrin Cole]

Try placing your fingers closer to the frets,rather than in the middle.This should make your tones sound a little rounder.

Also,try playing with more of a firm,yet relaxed touch,on your plucking hand.While you're at it,turn the bass up,and take advantage of the instruments' dynamic properties.

It's always a challenge to play a fretted instrument while getting very little fret noise,but it can be done.It just requires patience,and diligence,on your part.

On the other hand,a little fret noise can be a good thing,depending on what you're playing!

However,try this,and some of the other suggestions,posted here. Have fun,and good luck in your quest for good tone!

[ERIC31]

Yeah, I get fret clank like that as well but I discovered in my new band that it works. I play fingerstyle in a rock n roll band where that sort of thing helps to cut through.

[Strongjag]

I used to get that alot, and still do when I want to dig in. Like someone said when I played with my fingers I was playing the string almost up and down when I struck it instead of across.

The string would vibrate up and down hitting the fret instead of parallel to the fretboard. I had a teacher point it out and after I broke the habit sounds much better. A good setup helps too.

[Breslin dp]

I rest my thumb on my pickup when I play my B string. Rest your thumb on your pick guard only when you are playing your E string, the rest of the time try to alternate resting your thumb on the string above where your playing.

Try this on a fingering exercise start with your thumb on your pick guard and play 2314 on your E string, then place your thumb on the E string and play the same 2314 on your A string etc.

It helped me get rid of the clank.

[queevil]

As someone else already said let the electronics do the work. Lighten your touch and turn your amp up to compensate for the lack of volume.

Other suggestions:
Are your highs turned up really high? Back off of them a bit.
Do you have really low string tension and low action? If so, you're playing with even less tension when you pluck over the neck and the low action compounds the problem. You might try higher tension strings.
If your action is really low you might try raising it just a hair. On a Fender bridge try turning the allen screws about a quarter turn at a time. That's what I did on one of my J basses and it worked. The action was only a bit higher so I got used to it quickly.
If I were in your position(and I have been) I would try higher tension strings last as the other suggestions won't set you back any cash.

Experiment. You'll figure it out. When you do be sure and post what you did to remedy the problem.

[mcapote]

Highs) no not at all, I actually tend to not like alot of highs so I usually cut the highs anywhere from half to none depending on the type of song. Its actually kinda weird for the types of music I play (Punk and 80s Metal) you would think I like highs but I'm more of a deep boomy kinda guy. the cab i'm building this week for myself don't even have a tweeter lol.

Low Tension) not really I dont tune below drop D and use .45-.105 or drop C with a .65-.130 rigged bass

Low Action) I actually raised the action from how my spector came, I might raise the action on my SX P because it is kinda low for my taste.

[gre107]

What this sounds like is that after you hit the string of the note you are sounding your finger then hits the string behind it. It is that string (the one behind it) that is making the click.

When this happens it is usually that you do not have enough relief in the neck and your strings are very low.

This happens to me fairly often since I like to have a very very very low action and I adjust my setup when the temperature changes.

A good way to test this is by muting the note on the string you are playing and seeing when your finger hits the string behind it after playing the intended note if the click is occurring there.

Also, fret the first note of the lowest string on your bass with your left hand and with your right elbow press the string down to the neck so the string rests at the bridge end on the highest fret. Then with your right hand tap the string down with your right hand at the halfway mark (usually the seventh fret) and see if you get a "click". If you do then you have enough relief (or are in the ball park of where you need to be) if you don't here a pronounced "click" when tapping the string then your neck is too straight and need more relief.

To solve this issue put a little more relief in the neck and then adjust the string height accordingly.

I try to have the relief in the neck about .010 (?) just about 3/4 - 1/2 the width of a credit card.

Changing the EQ is a compensation that only hides the issue and does not solve the actual problem and results with a poor tone. To get the best tone you need to allow the string to vibrate freely. Playing with a louder volume and softer touch allows the string to play with a more consistent dynamic where the drop off in tone/attack is more subtle and allows for a more consistent sound. Playing closer to the frets vs. in between the frets makes no difference at all. The strings frequency stops at the fret regardless where you hold it down unless your set up is so high that the string is angled above the fret. If this is the case then the bass is pretty much unplayable. String tension has very little to do with this also. String tension (of the string itself) is involved in the wrapping. Having higher tensioned strings just means that they tend to be more rigid and require more force to get the tone out of them. The actual tension of the string when it is on the bass (tuned) is the same to get the note.

Hope this makes sense and helps out with your problem?

All the best!