String hitting on the fret board...

Wes · #1 02-19-2006, 07:49 AM

A few weeks I've been playing with my fingers and it's been much more fun than with a pick. However, when I go at a fast beat with the E string it seems to hit the metal frets on the board, and I don't have a clue why. I'm pretty sure I'm hitting the strings right, I'm definitely doing a "walking" motion with my fingers, and it's fine on the other strings.

I was wondering if you any of you pros could help me out.

Thanks in advance.

clink · #2 02-19-2006, 10:46 AM

Perfectly normal. You can raise the action a bit if it bothers you.

iamlowsound · #3 02-19-2006, 02:09 PM

make sure that you aren't pushing toward the body of the bass, you should be pulling more toward the sky with your fingers.

lowsound

Wes · #4 02-19-2006, 05:04 PM

Cheers guys I think it will be harder pulling it higher "towards the sky" but I'm sure I will get used to it.

Cheers again lads!

EricF · #5 02-21-2006, 03:36 PM

It's mostly a technique thing. You want to pluck the strings so they are vibrating parallel to the fretboard as much as possible, rather than perpendicular. If you are plucking with a motion towards the body of the bass, particularly if you are playing aggressively, you increase your chance of fret clank. As clink mentioned above, raising your action a bit will also help to minimize this noise.