Help with "clacking" of low strings

Rusty Miesner · #1 08-27-2007, 11:28 PM

I've been playing for about 2 years in live bands and I'm still working on timing and technique. When I don't use a pick, I get a bit of "clacking" on my Ibanez, but on my Fender Jazz 5-string I get heaps on the low strings. I've tried holing my right hand in different possitions, but the only way I can stop the loud clacking sound on every note is by playing very softly or fingering near the end of the string. The action is fairly low, but not excessive.
I'd like to minimise the clacking sound somehow.
Any help would be appreciated.

Alexvs · #2 08-28-2007, 06:52 AM

Is the Ibanez strung with lighter gauge strings? My personal experience is that heavier strings equals less fret noise.

Beta · #3 08-28-2007, 09:45 PM

I've found that the angle of the attack differs greatly between picking and fingerstyle. It's easier for me to keep from digging in too much when using a pick.

I sometimes dig in too much when playing fingerstyle. This, I think, changes the direction of the string's vibration- basically, you're plucking up, so the string comes down, right into your frets.

Fender 5-strings are also known, if you believe the postings in the Basses forum, for having "floppy" B strings. Combine that with low action and a right hand that digs in, and you're going to hear a lot of clacking.

Playing closer to the bridge is not your answer, unless you're comfortable with the change in tone. Try to keep from digging in, and soften up your attack a little and see how it goes.

And, yeah, maybe heavier gauge strings are in order.

JimmyM · #4 08-29-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Miesner

but the only way I can stop the loud clacking sound on every note is by playing very softly or fingering near the end of the string.

I think you just answered your own question. Yep, those are the two most common ways of getting rid of it. Other ways are using much heavier strings and raising your action, but these often make the bass uncomfortable, and they have limited effectiveness.

Depth_Charge · #5 08-29-2007, 05:37 AM

My Fender Fretless P does this on the E and A strings. I suspect it's me digging in too hard.

The bass has a beautiful low action and for the life of me I can't back the power of my fingers off enough to stop it once I disengage the brain and enjoy playing...so I am considering raising the action.

It never used to do it when I first got it, so I'm wondering if it's one of those Fender maintenance things I need to keep on top of

Rattlehead · #6 08-29-2007, 07:52 AM

In addition to what has been said: It also helps to curve your fingers towards to bass when you're playing so that they are essentially pointing at the bass, rather than more towards the floor.

That way you're pulling the string up (gravity-wise) and it will realease downwards, neither of which is the direction of the frets. This will allow you to get away with using a bit more power than otherwise, but you'll probably have to use it in combination with other stuff in this thread.

Joe Nerve · #7 08-29-2007, 08:16 AM

I used to clack when I bought my first "real" bass, a Warwick. I learned a few things to clack less, but I like to dig in and ultimately I had to find a bass that suited my style. Some basses just seem to clack more than others. The follwoing are the only cures I know for clack:

Play more lightly
Raise your action
Change your technique
Use different strings (nickelwound, flatwound, or nylon)
Roll off the treble
Find on your amp the frequency the click is coming at and dial it out
Find a bass that doesn't click when you you play it, buy it, and sell your others

llatikcuf · #8 08-29-2007, 08:28 AM

As said by others above, I play more lightly and change the angle of my fingers a bit.
I also cheat and roll off some of the high end of my EQ and have the sound guy take my gain down some - makes it far less noticeable

Rusty Miesner · #9 08-29-2007, 09:00 AM

Thanks heaps guys. Very helpfull.

Practice, practice, practice.

user101 · #10 08-29-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llatikcuf

As said by others above, I play more lightly and change the angle of my fingers a bit.
I also cheat and roll off some of the high end of my EQ and have the sound guy take my gain down some - makes it far less noticeable

+1 to the cheating part. I do it too. hehe

Aces_High · #11 09-02-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlehead

In addition to what has been said: It also helps to curve your fingers towards to bass when you're playing so that they are essentially pointing at the bass, rather than more towards the floor.

That way you're pulling the string up (gravity-wise) and it will realease downwards, neither of which is the direction of the frets. This will allow you to get away with using a bit more power than otherwise, but you'll probably have to use it in combination with other stuff in this thread.

Very Very wrong that's the exact way you shouldn't play bass. Oh how much speed you lose that way.

69nites · #12 09-02-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aces_High

Very Very wrong that's the exact way you shouldn't play bass. Oh how much speed you lose that way.

actually....what he posted was proper technique.

Rattlehead · #13 09-05-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aces_High

Very Very wrong that's the exact way you shouldn't play bass. Oh how much speed you lose that way.

Care to explain HOW this compromises speed or tell me where you got this information?

I do agree that at first you'll lose tons of speed, but you lose tons of speed anytime you start off learning a new technique.

Joe Nerve · #14 09-05-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlehead

Care to explain HOW this compromises speed or tell me where you got this information?

Sorry guys, but I"m with aces high here. If my fingers were pointed AT the bass my wrist would be a 90% angle and I'd have to LIFT my finger to get it to the other strings. If ya'll think that's proper technique then do it if it works for you, but I'll keep my fingers pointed to the floor - which has served me wonderfully for years and years.

tswd · #15 09-05-2007, 02:24 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd14gB2oMVw

Apparently you should point your fingers more towards for the floor when you're in the smaller window. If you're playing in the bigger window, point them towards the bass. ;-)

iamlowsound · #16 09-05-2007, 03:00 PM

Turn your amp up. Easiest way to get rid of the clacking.

lowsound

Joe Nerve · #17 09-05-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tswd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd14gB2oMVw

Apparently you should point your fingers more towards for the floor when you're in the smaller window. If you're playing in the bigger window, point them towards the bass. ;-)

That's pretty funny.

A.CLAYTON · #18 09-05-2007, 08:20 PM

I get clacking when i play through my little 15watt practice amp but never when i play through my rig.

69nites · #19 09-05-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Sorry guys, but I"m with aces high here. If my fingers were pointed AT the bass my wrist would be a 90% angle and I'd have to LIFT my finger to get it to the other strings. If ya'll think that's proper technique then do it if it works for you, but I'll keep my fingers pointed to the floor - which has served me wonderfully for years and years.

funny my wrist is perfectly straight.

maybe it's where you hang your bass and anchor your hand.

I also like to keep my hand in a half closed relaxed position.