Playing the A String Makes the E String Click?

[jasper383]

I play a 4 string P bass fingerstyle, and am noticing that when I play the A string, the thud of the finger against the E string on followthrough causes the E string to click. It is annoying.

Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do to fix it? Should I "lift up" my thumb a bit on the E string so it is further away from the fingerboard? Should I lighten even more my touch? Should I raise the E string until it doesn't do this?

[EricF]

Changing your sting height to compensate for a technique issue is the wrong answer. A lighter touch might be the answer. Also, changing your angle of attack on the strings migh also be the answer. If your fingers are hitting the strings in a motion towards the bass, rather thna parallel with the body, you will be pushing the E string against the frets as your finger comes to rest against it. Why is your thumb on the E-string? Get that thing around to the back of the neck where it belongs and use your fingers for damping.

If all else fails, consult a teacher

[jasper383]

I meant to specify my right thumb. It's on the E string when I play on the A string. I try not to anchor my right thumb.

[tplyons]

Your pickups are probably really high and it's more than likely that pole-piece comes in contact with string click. Lower your pickup, or don't play over the pickup.

[jasper383]

The pickups is actually pretty low.

I have isolated it to my index and middle fingers hitting the E string and slapping it against the frets.

[Folmeister]

I get this myself. It's something I have been trying to diagnose and cure. I think the answer is to limit the range of motion with your picking fingers. Other than that, I am just going to live with it.

[Jeff Moote]

hmm.. how hard are some people playing? I play with a reststroke that follows through to the string below all the time, but it barely moves the string that it rests on.

[Depth_Charge]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Unless I'm really rocking out and hammering the strings I don't perceive a noise from resting my fingers on the next string up (A to E for example).

[jasper383]

I practice unplugged most of the time. Perhaps I am digging in too hard in order to hear myself?

[EricF]

Originally Posted by jasper383

I practice unplugged most of the time. Perhaps I am digging in too hard in order to hear myself?

Could be. Sometimes playing unplugged reveals flaws that are covered up by amplification - the opposite is also true.

[fcleff]

Where are you grabbing the string? If you are getting more of a 'top attack' then your finger is probably coming down on top of the E string (combined with a really hard pluck) making it slap the fret.

I grab the string on the underside (looking down on it) and my finger rebounds at the same attack point on the adjacent string.

[tycobb73]

I actually follow through enough so that I bend the string above the one I'm hitting and cuase it not to make a noise this way.

[morebass!]

I used to have this problem on 5-string. I'd hit the B when playing the E. It bothered me. I think it's from playing too hard. Try turning up the amp and lightening up your touch.

Not saying this will definitely work (I eventually quit playing 5-string) .

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by fcleff

Where are you grabbing the string? If you are getting more of a 'top attack' then your finger is probably coming down on top of the E string (combined with a really hard pluck) making it slap the fret.

I grab the string on the underside (looking down on it) and my finger rebounds at the same attack point on the adjacent string.

This is what I am doing wrong, I think; too much of a "top attack".

But why does this only happen when I am playing the A string? Is the angle that much different on the other strings?

I hate getting hung up on things like this. It gets to the point where it's all I can hear.

[fcleff]

Originally Posted by jasper383

This is what I am doing wrong, I think; too much of a "top attack".

But why does this only happen when I am playing the A string? Is the angle that much different on the other strings?

I hate getting hung up on things like this. It gets to the point where it's all I can hear.

Try going really slow. Set your finger in a very precise manner and pluck fairly gently so that you don't get the noise. Go slow so that you can analyse what you are doing, visually and aurally. That way if you get the noise you will SEE and HEAR what is happening. Then gradually go faster until you can play comfortably with no clicking noise.

As for why it happens only on the E string; my guess is that as you traverse the strings your finger is getting a little more under the string. That and the fact that the E string is fatter. But that is an educated guess.