Strings clanking into frets when plucking

[konaboy]

Hi

I use the common two finger technique when plucking. All is well except that the strings tend to clank onto the upper frets when plucking.

My bass is setup with as low an action as I can get without fret buzz. I assume this is desirable. But the clacking clicking sounds nasty, especially when the amp is turned up to high volumes. At low volumes however it's hardly noticeable.

What to do? Pluck more softly or adjust the bass for a higher action? I noticed that enthusiastic plucking makes matters worse but generally I play softly and still get the occasional clank.

thanks

[odin70]

More relief on your neck and/or higher action. Google guitar setup. Tons of info on the net.

[megadan]

Lighter touch or higher action, basically.

[Nashrakh]

Might also be affected by HOW you pluck the strings.

Pluck more horizontally instead of vertically, that might reduce the clanking. Except that, yeah, lighter touch or just take the action up a notch, just a bit might make a whole world of a difference.

[Kevinmach]

Pluck more horizontally instead of vertically, that might reduce the clanking

This.

What I would do is carefully pluck a few springs with more or less normal pressure, but pull back instead of pushing down (move your left hand up and down the fret board to test at a bunch of different locations) and try to remain somewhat controlled in the process. If it reduces your clacking (and it almost certainly will) then you are probably either hitting too hard or pushing down instead of pulling back (like shooting a bow and arrow).

Action can be a contributing factor. But bottom line, I had the same problem and truthfully, either hand can cause some unwanted noise if you use too much enthusiasm. But my experience is that it comes far more from the plucking hand than the fretting hand.

[TOOL460002]

play softer, or try to have your finger hit the string below (in pitch), and not the plastic on the pickups. you can also eq out some of the treble if you are okay with that. thats what i prefer, because, for my style, there is going to be all kinds of fret noise no matter what i do.

[NortyFiner]

1. Technique, as others have said.

2. Check your instrument's neck for anything abnormal. Does it only buzz above a certain fret? If so, that could indicate a setup problem, or a problem with the neck and/or frets that might need professional attention.

3. Depending on the sound you're after, consider switching to flatwound strings. I personally find that flats tend to have less string noise of all kinds.

[sonic assassin]

this happens to me all the time. live, i really dont care. i get entirely too into what im doing, and it doesnt occur to me to adjust my hand positioning.

but for recording, i have to remember to pluck the string UP and not hit it so it makes noise. i play REALLY hard and like the sound i get by doing so.

[konaboy]

thanks to all who took the trouble to answer. Great advice. Pretty much what I suspected but since I'm new it's nice to get confirmation.

Don't see anything abnormal with the fretboard or frets. I did have a fret that was sitting a bit high and causing a buzz. I whacked that one with a hammer and now it's ok!! (don't worry, I have a cheap first bass to learn my chops and luthier skills!)

After reading these replies I loosened my truss rod 3/4 turn or thereabouts. That gave the neck a bit more bow and raised the action at the same time. I know there is a slight bow to the neck because when I hold down a string on a high fret and a low fret I can actually pluck the string (between the frets( and it will just about vibrate freely.

Also I will force myself to play a bit softer by turning up the amp an extra few notches. I am also aware that I need to work on my technique!

So far this seems to have done the trick!

I'm using standard Fender roundwounds. Have previously played flats and yes there was no clacking or fret noise. But then I got into slap/pop and couldn't get a decent sound out of those high-tension flats.

thanks again!