Drop D and string noise

[Elsebet]

I'm not sure if hardware has anything to do with it, but I have a rather inexpensive Fender Squier beginner bass with the default strings it was "born" with. You know, it's the bass you get in a box with a little amp, bag, the whole package deal. It's a fine learner bass so far, until I know enough to buy something pricier.

The problem I have right now is when I drop E to D to play the Short Bus song "Hey Man, Nice Shot" I get a ton of string noise when I'm plucking. It feels like the string is so loose and it is always hitting the frets closest to the pickups when I play quickly. If I slow way, way down and be ultra careful to pluck "upwards" a bit, I can play it without too much noise, but that obvously impairs my ability to keep up with the rest of the band.

Is this just a "user" issue, since I've been playing for less than a year and am not a professional (just a hobbyist) or could my strings be bad or action too low? Our guitar player complained that when he drops D his guitar sounds poorly as well, so I'm not sure.

[Mushroo]

Hi Elsebet,

Dropping the string from E to D will make it looser in tension, so it is normal for it to rattle around more. Here are a few suggestions that might help improve the sound:

1. Go with a thicker gauge string than you are using now
2. Raise the bridge saddle on the E string so that your action is a little bit higher
3. Pluck the string closer to the bridge

Good luck!

[nsmar4211]

Not all basses handle alternate tunings well.......I ended up buying a second bass because my band is tuned flat and it didn't handle the B well (flopped and buzzed). A cheap bass just may not do it . Or you may find once the bass is set up that drop D sounds good, regular tuning doesn't play well... My bass that's set up for flat tuning has high action (how far off the neck the strings are) and in regular tuning the tension makes it a bit tough to play some of the notes . If you really wanted, take it to a person who does bass setups and get him to tweak it... just be prepared for the raised eyebrows LOL

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Hi Elsebet,

Dropping the string from E to D will make it looser in tension, so it is normal for it to rattle around more. Here are a few suggestions that might help improve the sound:

1. Go with a thicker gauge string than you are using now
2. Raise the bridge saddle on the E string so that your action is a little bit higher
3. Pluck the string closer to the bridge

Good luck!

4. Get a 5 string