Clicking sound On cheapy Bass

Ezmar · #1 10-28-2011, 11:47 AM

Okay, I've posted about this problem in the Amps section, and I think it might be an electronics/Pickup problem, so I'm asking here.

I recently got a new amp, a Hartke 3500, and I've noticed something with it. When I play the string, with a hard attack, there's this Clicking sound, like I'm clipping the signal. It doesn't go away no matter how low I set the preamp, and the problem is alleviated when I plug into the Active input, but it doesn't disappear entirely. The problem is most prevalent on the G string, and it happens when I pull relatively hard, which I do a lot of the time, because I have a pretty aggressive style. After I noticed tis with the Hartke, I began to notice it on other amps, too, just not as markedly, presumably because the Hartke head is a pretty "Hi-Fi" sounding head, and it's bringing it out.

So I think it's a problem with my Bass, probably the pickups. I have a Squier J, with just whatever pickups it came with, I'm using light gauge Rotosound Stainless steel Strings, and... yeah. That's my setup. I've also noticed it slightly with a bass I use for Jazz band, a Fender Jazz 5-string, with heavier Nickel plated strings. It also happens when I play hard, but it doesn't matter as much, because I have a much lighter touch for Jazz. It comes out the most when I'm playing stuff like Rush's mid-80s stuff, like Power Windows and Hold Your Fire, where he gets that snappy sound, and I can't get that without digging in a little.

So yeah, anyone know what I'm talking about or what the problem might be? I don't have any good way to record anything, otherwise I'd get an example or something for you guys to look at. Are the pickups too high? Is it something with the way the cheap single-coils are responding to my more aggressive playing? Would I be able to lower them until the problem goes away without having to fight to get sound out of the Bass at all? Could I just get new Pickups? Could it be something else entirely?

And as a Side note, If I'm going to be gigging pretty soon, and Playing that kind of stuff, I might be in the market for a new bass, and I'd like to know some of the ins and outs of different bass pickup types. What they are, and what their "Sound" is, as well as that can be described. Like what kinds of double coils are there, how do they compare to single coils, pickup spacing, all that stuff.

Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon!

FunkMetalBass · #2 10-28-2011, 12:29 PM

Gotta ask the simple questions first - is it the strings hitting the fretboard? Are your fingernails too long? Do you hear it when you give the bass a good shaking (and it's plugged in with the amp turned on)?

If the bass is passive, there aren't too many things that could be causing it.

Ezmar · #3 10-28-2011, 01:14 PM

I don't think it's caused by physical Contact with the string on anything, be it the Fretboard, my nails (not too long, by the way), or the pickups themselves. It's like a loud, but not really sharp, CLICK at the beginning of the note. It sounds like something's clipping, but I don't think it's the Preamp, because that doesn't affect the clicking. From what we discussed in the other thread in Amps, it seems like it's somehow clipping the input stage.

stflbn · #4 10-28-2011, 01:21 PM

Your hard attack is causing the string to slightly hit the frets. Roll off some treble on your bass or amp, raise your string height, add some relief to neck, or lighten up your right hand attack.

IMHO.

Ezmar · #5 10-28-2011, 03:14 PM

I'm almost 100% sure (as sure as I can be without slow motion video) that the string isn't hitting the frets. I know what a string against frets sounds like, and this isn't that. I think it has more to do with the amplitude of the string's vibration.

And I don't think that Simply lightening up my attack is a viable option. I mean, sure, I could, and I could play without it happening, but there are times when I want the kind of tone only an aggressive attack can give me. I'm almost positive the issue is in the electronics, be it the pickups themselves, their height, or something else.

FunkMetalBass · #6 10-29-2011, 08:56 AM

Does the problem persist when you roll down the tone? Have you tried lowering the pickups to see if it continues?

Your bass is passive - there are a few magnets, some wires, a couple of variable resistors, and an input jack inside of it. There is nothing in your bass that could be overloading. If it's overloading the preamp on the amp, the odds are great that it wouldn't be the case for every other amp you've tried. I really think it's a physical problem manifesting itself as an electronics issue.

Ezmar · #7 11-01-2011, 12:46 PM

I really can't think of what the Physical issue would be, though. It happens more with the thinner strings, although if I pull hard enough on the lower ones, I get the same thing. It's not so much of a problem on the lower strings, but on the G string, I often want to dig in to get a snappier sound, and I get this undesirable Pop noise. I wish I could describe the sound better. It happens regardless of whether the string is muted or not. I can mute the string, and pull it, and I get the Pop sound. I Don't think it's hitting the Fretboard, or the pickups. I will try lowering the pickups, does that seem like it would solve the problem? Would I be at risk of making the sound weaker by lowering them? like too weak? I suppose that can't be answered until I try it. It will have to wait a bit, because I don't have the tools with me at college.

sanderic · #8 11-01-2011, 12:59 PM

I believe the strings are just grazing against the pickup poll pieces when you strike the note. First, without playing a note, just touch the string against one of the polepieces, see if the "click" you hear matches the "click" at the beginning of your notes. You may just need to lower your pickups. I had this same problem the the A and E strings on my American Standard Precision.

ulynch · #9 11-01-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezmar

When I play the string, with a hard attack, there's this Clicking sound, like I'm clipping the signal. It doesn't go away no matter how low I set the preamp, and the problem is alleviated when I plug into the Active input, but it doesn't disappear entirely. The problem is most prevalent on the G string, and it happens when I pull relatively hard, which I do a lot of the time, because I have a pretty aggressive style...

My best guess without watching you play is that the string is making contact with one of the pickup pole pieces. I have a very heavy right hand, and this has been a perennial problem for me. Other than this click, I *really* like the sound I get with a heavy attack. However annoying it is solo, I've found that the sound is mostly unnoticeable in a loud band mix.

Try putting a strip of electrical tape over the pickup(s) so the pole pieces are covered and see if that resolves it. If it does, you can

(a) leave it there,
(b) lower the pickups until it stops (but you also reduce the output, and you may affect string balance),
(c) try a pickup with a sealed cover and no exposed pole pieces
(d) play closer to the bridge

Good luck, and let us know what happens.

- D

Ezmar · #10 11-05-2011, 09:12 AM

I know that the strings aren't hitting the pickups, because it's not that kind of sound. I wish I could show you what it sounded like, but... yeah. It's not a sharp click, it's... duller, I can;t really describe it. I'll try the tape, although if that's supposed to fix contact with the pickups, I don't know what it will do. I'll also try lowering the pickups when I can. And I can't really play much closer to the bridge, I already play right over the bridge pickup.

Where could I take it to try to diagnose it? I mean like to some professional or something? If I just took it in to a shop, and demonstrated, would most places be able to help me?

Sorry I can't be more helpful in describing my problem. I know it's not the String hitting something, because that was one of the first things I thought of. It's not the same sound as when it hits the pickup, because I get that sometimes when playing slap. I really wish I could describe the sound. It's not a hard "K" sound so much as a harsh "P" sound, if that makes sense? I think part of it is probably me pushing the Bass past what it was designed for somehow. I don't know. I'd kind of like to get a new bass anyway, but Unfortunately I'm not in the market for that at all, cash-wise. (just bought that new amp.)

Thanks for all the help. Hopefully I can get home during Thanksgiving break and Get some more resolution.

winstonthecat · #11 11-05-2011, 09:27 AM

You could take it to a guitar/bass repair shop and have them look at it, but I really think the advice given so far, IMHO, is correct. The clicking sound is due to your heavy attack. I get the same clicking sound you describe when I dig in really hard. When I back off, it goes away.

I also try to focus on plucking the strings parallel to the fret board, if that makes sense. Hitting the strings in a downward motion can lead to more of the clicking sound.

Ezmar · #12 11-05-2011, 09:35 AM

But it seems like it's happening too soon, like the threshold is too low, or something. And Again, it's NOT due to the strings hitting the Fretboard or pickups or anything. This is different. It might be possible that playing on my quiet amp in my dorm room is causing me to play harder, but when I go home and play on my big amp, the same thing happens, and it's more pronounced. So... I don't know. I feel like I should be able to play as hard as I want to without having to constantly worry about playing too hard. I play hard when I'm rocking out, and I don't think I should have to skimp on the Rocket Sauce because of this... I don't know. I think I'll take it in at some point and see if somebody there can figure out what the problem is. Does anyone know what would be causing this that's NOT the string Hitting the Fretboard or Pickups?