Popping Sound from Strings Hitting Pickups!

Eyesee7 · #1 08-22-2010, 10:03 AM

Can anyone tell me how to correct this? As a background, I don't remember having this problem when playing a Fender Precision 30 years ago, but then again I wasn't playing Rush back then.

Now I've gotten back into playing for the past 6 years, with a Rondo SX Jazz bass. I'm playing Rush which requires a more aggressive attack, and I get a constant clicking/popping, especially on the A and E strings. When I look at my right hand and the strings, sometimes it doesn't look like the string is even hitting the metal circle on the pickup and it's still making the click. I don't want to raise the action (it's really not low to begin with) because my left hand will just get tangled in the strings further up the neck.

Is there something I can put over the pickups to correct this?

Thanks!

Beowulf Kingsle · #2 08-22-2010, 10:09 AM

Perhaps lowering the pickups a bit? Are you sure that the sound is from the strings hitting the pickups? Anyhow, I'd try lowering those down first.

THand · #3 08-22-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyesee7

Can anyone tell me how to correct this? As a background, I don't remember having this problem when playing a Fender Precision 30 years ago, but then again I wasn't playing Rush back then.

Now I've gotten back into playing for the past 6 years, with a Rondo SX Jazz bass. I'm playing Rush which requires a more aggressive attack, and I get a constant clicking/popping, especially on the A and E strings. When I look at my right hand and the strings, sometimes it doesn't look like the string is even hitting the metal circle on the pickup and it's still making the click. I don't want to raise the action (it's really not low to begin with) because my left hand will just get tangled in the strings further up the neck.

Is there something I can put over the pickups to correct this?

Thanks!

electric tape

**lowendfriend** · #4 08-22-2010, 10:12 AM

Lower the pickups and u should be fine. If you don't have enough room on the pickup travel, then you'll need to sacrifice a little action. You could also lighten up on your attack and crank the amp.

Eyesee7 · #5 08-22-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beowulf Kingsle

Perhaps lowering the pickups a bit? Are you sure that the sound is from the strings hitting the pickups? Anyhow, I'd try lowering those down first.

I'm pretty sure it is. The sound is the same sound I get if I push the string down to make contact with the metal circle (magnet?) on the pickup. When I jammed on Rush with some other players the person taping it commented on the clicking sound.

THand · #6 08-22-2010, 11:00 AM

Here's the electric tape idea applied :

JimmyM · #7 08-22-2010, 12:47 PM

sx pickups have polepieces that stick way out. you can tape them with electrical tape, or stick spacers under the pickup cover to get the polepieces flush or just under the cover.

Eyesee7 · #8 08-22-2010, 09:30 PM

I tried the tape and I'm still getting the popping but the tape has muffled it so it's not as bad. Next I'll see if I can lower the pickups by turning the screws on both ends...

tobie · #9 08-23-2010, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyesee7

I'll see if I can lower the pickups by turning the screws on both ends...

If you only have a problem under the A & E strings, just lower the pickups on the low-strings-side first. No need to fiddle with the other side (if it aint broke, don't fix it).

miholc · #10 08-23-2010, 02:12 AM

Does electric tape reduce output signal of the bass

puddin tame · #11 08-23-2010, 02:16 AM

Maybe take it to a professional?
Messing around with the pickup height can get pretty volatile if you don't do it exactly right

Eyesee7 · #12 03-23-2011, 09:36 AM

Well, I have a second bass now, a Ibanez Musician "bean" model from the early 80's... and I have this problem more than ever. It's definitely not the sound of the string hitting the pickups, its more like the string is slapping the fretboard up near where I'm fretting notes.

I'm tuned to standard A440 and my action is not super low. It's driving me crazy!

AuntieBeeb · #13 03-23-2011, 09:41 AM

Where does your right (picking) hand typically sit? I used to play with my hand right over the pickups and there would occasionally be a 'popping' sound if I laid into it. After a while I started playing with my hand closer to the neck - really just because I preferred the sound - but I noticed the popping sound mysteriously disappeared as well.

Tigger Bangdang · #14 03-23-2011, 09:44 AM

Go get a $30 setup.

johnboy65 · #15 03-23-2011, 09:48 AM

When you pluck the string try to pull parallel to the body. You can still be agressive but a lack of downdard (pickup) angle should also help. That being said Geddy uses a fair amount of downward angle.

The other thing to try is make sure you're fretting as close to the fret as possible.

Eyesee7 · #16 03-23-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuntieBeeb

Where does your right (picking) hand typically sit? I used to play with my hand right over the pickups and there would occasionally be a 'popping' sound if I laid into it. After a while I started playing with my hand closer to the neck - really just because I preferred the sound - but I noticed the popping sound mysteriously disappeared as well.

I normally have it over the pickups. On my SX Jazz, a string would occasionally pop the pickup but there was also some slapping on the fretboard.

However on my Ibanez Musician "bean", the pickup is the type that doesn't pop, but the strings are definitely slapping the neck close by my fretting hand.

I know what you're saying about the picking hand moving closer up the neck and while I like that warmer sound it's not the sound I need to achieve when playing Rush (except for perhaps "Madrigal"). I need that extra bite.

I should probably find a local bass instructor and pay for a lesson so he can analyze what the heck I'm doing wrong because I never had this problem 30 years ago.