too much clicking and clacking

lazytech · #1 06-30-2009, 10:48 AM

Hey guys im having a few probs, this could be setup too so I may posted it there as well

i do think its primarily setup or maybe its supposed to happen, just think maybe something to do with my technique could be involved too. so im postingit here as well

i run a mim fsr ash bodied p-bass with a dimarzio pickup

Basically its just the dang clack everytime i fret a note. heres the details

1.I get even when not plucking
2.its just the fret im fretting, not the higher ones
3.primarily on the e string but some on the a also.
4.worse once i get down to the 7th and higher or so frets
5. I run flatwounds but its even worse with rounds

basically its just that little click each time i fret, but it drives me nuts.

I can turn the treble to about 25% and of course that helps but it does have a negative impact on the over all sound IMO.

Thanks for any ideas
TOdd

msiner · #2 06-30-2009, 10:55 AM

Why are you posting duplicate threads?

a little too much clacking

If you want an answer, just let it sit for a while and then reply to your own thread to bump it up, but don't do it too often (keep it to once a day if possible).

HogieWan · #3 06-30-2009, 10:59 AM

how long have you been playing? sounds like you are not pressing the string down hard enough.

lazytech · #4 06-30-2009, 11:15 AM

I havent been playing all to long but it seems the harder i press the worse the click gets

its the millisecond that the fret htts the string, not the rattle of not pressing hard enough.

a light click before every note is how it ends up sounding.

HogieWan · #5 06-30-2009, 02:13 PM

can you post a recording?

makanudo · #6 06-30-2009, 03:23 PM

maybe the action is too low?

lazytech · #7 06-30-2009, 03:33 PM

Ill post a recording when i get off work.

I know theres always gonna be maybe a little click when metal touches metal, for somereason this bass seems to amplify it more then any other ive had, or it just sems somewhat more pronounced.

Ill post a clip this evening.

thanks guys

JimmyM · #8 06-30-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazytech

Ill post a recording when i get off work.

I know theres always gonna be maybe a little click when metal touches metal, for somereason this bass seems to amplify it more then any other ive had, or it just sems somewhat more pronounced.

Ill post a clip this evening.

thanks guys

I think you're just overanalyzing yourself. Bass is a little noisy, and as you said, metal touching metal. Not much you can do about that but go fretless, which for me just isn't an option. Don't worry so much about noises. Eliminate the ones you can, and forget about the ones you can't.

slagbass · #9 06-30-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I think you're just overanalyzing yourself. Bass is a little noisy, and as you said, metal touching metal. Not much you can do about that but go fretless, which for me just isn't an option. Don't worry so much about noises. Eliminate the ones you can, and forget about the ones you can't.

+1. I can't remember who said it, but apparently when you soloed Chuck Rainey's bass tracks, it sounded like "somebody fixing a Buick". No shame in sounding like Chuck......

allexcosta · #10 06-30-2009, 07:29 PM

Watch this video from 5:57 to the end.
Minimizing the click-clack on a bass is the same as De-essing vocals. Frequency should be anything around 3.5khz.
This is obviously a studio technique. For live playing, a setup and good technique should do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2zz2ya1_70

lazytech · #11 06-30-2009, 07:49 PM

Im kind of thinking jimmy is spot on.

I play without amplification or headphones alot and I do just listen for it now that Ive thought of it as a problem.

I had it bug me one day and ive focused on it ever since.

Ill mess with eqing a bit of it out too.

thanks for the tips guys.

HogieWan · #12 07-01-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazytech

Im kind of thinking jimmy is spot on.

Jimmy is always spot on. That's why I wanted a recording to see if it's really bad or just normal.

The clicks and clacks don't sound good when you play by yourself, but in a mix, they disappear and add character to the music. I also play drums, and most people say that my drums ring too much when played solo, but in the mix the ringing gets buried, but what you do hear isn't choked like it would be if I dampened them enough for them to sound good solo.

ahsbass6 · #13 07-01-2009, 09:24 AM

Where do you live? Humidity can cause some swelling of the wood in the neck. This is much more apparent in basses with a clear satin fiinish. I have Three Yamaha basses ... The Nathan East Sig and TRBJP2 both are clicking lately. It has been very humid here in upstate NY, so I have raised the action some and I am playing softer- not as strong of an attack.

lazytech · #14 07-01-2009, 09:34 AM

Yeah sorry i didnt get the recording done, little bit of a chore to get my gear setup, ill get one posted today for sure

BassXgirl · #15 07-01-2009, 09:46 AM

If your playing unamplified its going to sound noisier. Once you plug in (using same technique/touch your using unplugged, you'll notice some of that noise does not come through the amp.

I've noticed when people practice unplugged they tend to play harder which could become a wirey noisy mess at times.

Also, it could be a combo of normal "unplugged" noise and a slapping down left hand technique. Make sure your PRESSING down over the fret and not slapping down on it. Unless of course your trying to hammer on intentionally (but it doesn't sound like your going for that here)

Curious to hear a sound clip

scottbass · #16 07-01-2009, 09:54 AM

Jimmy is right - all basses click and clack to some extent. I have found that EVERYTHING except the instrument cable and strap contributes. I have also found that P basses are more susceptible. Technique can go a long ways towards mitigating the problem. I haven't found that action contributes much - that is more relevant to fret buzzing rather than clicking and clacking. EQ also makes a huge difference. My SansAmp RBI is very clacky if the mids or treble are much past 12:00, and the presence control might as well be re-labeled "Clack". Roundwounds are more susceptible than flatwounds, stainless more than nickel. Pickup height is also a contributor.

Like I said, everything except the cable and strap contributes in some way. Action height not so much as pickup height. The biggest improvements I made came from concentrating on my technique - keep that right wrist and forearm up and away from the bass - and from small tweaks to the EQ.

And yes, you do have to live with some amount of it on just about all frettted basses no mattter what you do.

Usual disclaimers: IME, IMHO, YMMV, etc.

JimmyM · #17 07-01-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HogieWan

Jimmy is always spot on.

Thanks, Hogie. Not always am I spot on, and I have the posting history to prove it, but thanks

HogieWan · #18 07-01-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Thanks, Hogie. Not always am I spot on, and I have the posting history to prove it, but thanks

well, relative to me it seems like always

pretaanluxis · #19 07-01-2009, 01:26 PM

I find if you play the note at the exact same time as you fret the note, then the played note should completely overpower the clicks volume. Now if you are doing hammer-on's it's just something you have to live with. It should get lost in the mix of a band's recording though.

mambo4 · #20 07-01-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

I play without amplification or headphones alot and I do just listen for it now that Ive thought of it as a problem.

I only worry about noises that are actually getting amplified.

When I play my bass unamplified, I hear clicks, clacks and rattles.

When i listen on headphones, rehearse with my band, or play a gig, I never hear it.