Sustain different open and fretted??

[JimTMich]

Noobie question: I find the sustain is great on my Ibanez SRX505 when I use open notes, but when fretted, the notes just don't last very long.

Is this the nature of stringed instruments or of my Bass or is there some technique I can use?

Any thoughts?

[Russell L]

I think that's generally the case with all guitars and basses. However, sometimes fretted notes can be shorter than they ought to be when there is a set-up problem. My Jazz seems muffled a bit right in the middle of the neck for about three notes. I haven't found the culprit yet, probably the wrong amount of relief, or a couple of frets that are too high.

Otherwise you are correct that open strings ring longer---or, unless there is a nut or bridge problem. I've had that happen, too.

[boynamedsuse]

I can understand the sustain changing, but in my experience the difference is not that great. For example, I consider the tone (with harmonics) of a note played in an open or closed position (different strings) to be an important factor for choosing which to use, and I will not change from one to the other just to alter sustain.

[maturanesa]

the more longer the distance from the fret to the bridge, the longer sustain..
Thats why when you press the last fret the sustain is shorter in comparision whith the first frets...

so, the open string would be the longer, plus it vibrates freely

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by JimTMich

Noobie question: I find the sustain is great on my Ibanez SRX505 when I use open notes, but when fretted, the notes just don't last very long.

Is this the nature of stringed instruments or of my Bass or is there some technique I can use?

Any thoughts?

Fret the note with something hard- I'd bet the sustain increases. The pad on a finger absorbs some of the vibration and that's another reason the notes die out faster.

[JimTMich]

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it!

[carlthegroover]

Cool, I wondered why this happened with my Jazz bass (especially around the 5th fret onwards). Interestingly, it doesn't happen with my Yamaha. Would it be because the latter is an active bass?