Sloppy Technique Highlighted with Active Basses?

[Unrepresented]

Hi,

I've been born and raised as a passive player and recently picked up my first active bass.

I've had problems on and off with attack noise from the right hand, but it seems they're massively magnified anytime I use an active bass. I hear tons of percussive clicks and clacks (and not in a cool way) when the tips of my fingers hit the strings.

Pull out the volume knob to the passive setting and all of a sudden 90% of it clears up, I've also noticed a similar result when I switch up my MIA Fender Jazz with S-1 from parallel to series configuration... when it's doing it's P-bass immitation I sound like I'm playing much cleaner, not just that the attack noise is lower in the mix.

Passive humbuckers make me sound like the competent player I like to pretend I am. Deviations from that spoil my illusion.

So, are actives just unreasonably sensitive beasts? Am I alone with this problem? What can I do to clean up my technique? Help me understand, those who've suffered or know of others suffering!

[Joe P]

Are the tone controls set to 'flat' - like at the detent?

something's funny. They're not all-THAT different.

Joe

[PaulMacCnj]

It sounds like your noticing a difference between playing with higher treble and not. Treble is where the clicky sounds and string noise are pronounced in the frequency band. I wouldn't say this is just the difference between active and passive basses. I have one of each and there's "noise" when the tone control is set for more treble even on the passive.

[Infernal Affair]

The EQ settings will change remarkably when switching from passive to active on some basses. On basses like G&L L-2000s and ASATs switching from passive to active isn't affected much since none of the knobs boost. I would figure that the S-1 switch on Fenders work the same way, but I'm not sure. Series does tend to be noisier than parallel. I've found that a lot of percussive clicks and other unwanted sounds like string glide (when you slide across a string lightly while not trying to do an actual slide), can be toned down with some smart EQing on the amp or bass.

But yeah. I agree with Joe P. You'll definitely hear a difference, but I don't think it'll pick up on that many subtleties. What kind of active bass is it? Remember that the EQ on active basses are usually pretty strong, with boost and cut knobs.

[TyronPotamkin]

Something else to look at is how close are the strings to the pickups? If they are close then that could be a possible cause of your "clicking" and "clacking" by the strings hitting the pickups. To fix it, it usually involves a screw driver and about ten minutes of your time. Eyeball the pup to string gap and see if the pups are at least level with the fret board. If the pups are to high then use the screwdriver to lower the pups by tightening the screws down. Another solution is by raising the action on the bridge.

[ducknturtle]

There is definetly something to the assertion that poor technique is magnified by active basses. It's not just the added treble but the added clarity.

[machine gewehr]

I use an active bass.I cut off the treble on the amp and leave it flat on the bass.This allows a combination of clear sound and cutting off the sloppy technique.

But if I leave it flat both on bass and amp,if I play sloppy,it sounds sloppy.

[moopants]

Yeah, I've noticed that too when I switched to active. It actually helps with your muting technique. Well, for me, at least, since it's an active 6 string. It helps you play lighter, too. If you don't want so much string noise, I'd say switch to flats, but that's entirely up to you. It'll help a lot, but your tone will also be a lot different, and if you don't like the tone of them, then your problem won't be solved at all. I hope this helps.

-Adam

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Infernal Affair

The EQ settings will change remarkably when switching from passive to active on some basses. On basses like G&L L-2000s and ASATs switching from passive to active isn't affected much since none of the knobs boost. I would figure that the S-1 switch on Fenders work the same way, but I'm not sure. Series does tend to be noisier than parallel. I've found that a lot of percussive clicks and other unwanted sounds like string glide (when you slide across a string lightly while not trying to do an actual slide), can be toned down with some smart EQing on the amp or bass.

But yeah. I agree with Joe P. You'll definitely hear a difference, but I don't think it'll pick up on that many subtleties. What kind of active bass is it? Remember that the EQ on active basses are usually pretty strong, with boost and cut knobs.

Active is my Warwick Corvette $$
Passive is my Jazz with S-1

I've been playing around with the recommendations provided here and have just been playing since I made this post and I've come to the conclusion that:

a) different amps/preamps will amplify the trebel clicking and clacking issues/sensitivity

and/or

b) my technique while standing is playing a role in things.

I think my form is better and my touch is softer while seated than when standing and I usually am only able to hear myself clearly (without other instruments filling up and covering eq range) when sitting and practicing by myself.

In other words - practicing in my room alone via my JoeMeek MQ3 pre/compressor straight into my soundcard my tone is quality regardless of instrument. Standing up at practice on an active with treble flat I'm attacking the strings at a different angle and not getting to hear my tone as clearly until I am given a solo moment and only then am I hearing the sloppiness of my touch...

Which leads me potentially to my follow up question...

How do I get my tone and touch to be as good standing up while not raising my bass up to my chest?