annoying feedbacks

lexxmexx · #1 08-16-2008, 03:25 PM

I am not sure where I should post this question but here it is.

Whenever I play a long fretted or open string note on my bass, instead of fading off, the sound will sustain for awhile and then gradually become very loud and the note will turn into into a higher pitch note which is at least an octave higher. I will need to mute all the strings to cut off the noise which is near impossible when I'm playing.

I had posted this question some time back in another section and someone had mentioned that it is due to feedbacks going into "chain reaction" where the feedback sounds get amplified over and over again.

The amp is a Marshall stack amp, and I was standing about 1.5 feet infront of the amp with my back facing it.

So, what can I do to eliminate such "chain" feedbacks?

lexxmexx · #2 08-19-2008, 09:37 PM

Can anyone help?

JimmyM · #3 08-19-2008, 10:24 PM

Turn down and stand away from it. Are you kidding? Of course it's going to do that! Is this a joke post? Sorry if it's not, but you must be cranking it pretty loud.

Deacon_Blues · #4 08-20-2008, 12:11 AM

Are you sure it's not a guitar you play? (Sorry, just had to ask that

)

Anyway, stand one or two steps further away from the amp and turn down a little. Perhaps it's also the pups in your bass that are sensitive to feedback?

I have never had feedback problems with any bass, and I like to play pretty loud and stand close to the amp...

Traver · #5 08-20-2008, 04:25 AM

Or you could just crank it up and do some droning.

Vincent P · #6 08-20-2008, 04:58 AM

A buddy was having the same thing a while ago coupled with hum. He went as far as replacing the soap bars on his bass with no change. When I had the chance to head over to his place, it was easy to see what the issue was. 12'x12' size room standing about the same distance you are standing from a Yorkville 400 amp. Eq settings on amp and those of bass cranked. Once the amp and bass were toned down a bit, including the volume, and he stood more towards the center of the room; everything improved.

I will stand close to my amp when practicing but, I dial it down low, or have my headset on.

Give this a try.

mrokern · #7 08-20-2008, 06:31 AM

I can make it happen with my actives on the low strings if I kick in my compressor and overdrive, and stand nice and close in any position except butt directly toward amp.

Key there is make it. Doesn't happen until I turn toward the amp and get close. I actually use it on a song or two at controlled levels for a cool ending, especially the harmonics. On a big stage, I really have to work for it.

-Mark

DocBop · #8 08-20-2008, 09:37 AM

It's your technique YOU are suppose to be in control. You need to work on your muting technique both left and right hand muting needs to be mastered. You need to control which strings ring and for how long. Also you can learn to make notes sustain you are the master of your instrument. You sound is a product of your hands. As the old saying goes its a poor craftsman who blames his tools.

Remember the better you play the less important your gear becomes, it's what you play that matters.

locolobo85 · #9 08-20-2008, 09:58 AM

If there is a PA in the room, it is possible to get some frequency matching going on that will worsen the problem. Dialing the corresponding frequency down on the PAs graphic eq will help eliminate the problem.

Just a thought.

lexxmexx · #10 08-31-2008, 11:11 AM

Thanks guys, I think I have found the root of the problem. I had previously connected my passive bass and multi-effects to the passive input and the signal might have gotten too hot for the amp which had resulted in the feedbacks. Things went back to normal after I switched it to the active input instead.