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Cannot get the clank sound on new bass

#21
umefie said:
same question as the guy above, wouldn't raising my action make it harder to make the string hit the metal pieces on the fretboard since it's further away?
Click to expand...

Good question! I guess yes, but only by a fraction, and you will hardly notice it.
And it wouldn't really make it HARDER to hit them, but it will require a tiny bit more strength from your left, thats why low tension strings are good for this. Also, by increasing the distance they have to travel, the impact should also become more audible :) (technically not because of the distance, but because you're using a bit more strength;))

Consider the opposite, if they are too close, even the slightest touch will cause them to hit the board, and that would be sort of like hitting a muted snaredrum.

But this is all technique and preferences, and I've strayed a little off topic:p

Give it a shot and see if the slap becomes more audible. Worst case, just lower them slightly again;)
 
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#22
skycruiser said:
My guess is this is related to the string tension, not simply the gauge.

Higher tension might make it harder to do the technique you showed in the video (basically slapping down the strings on the frets with your left hand).

Tension depends on 3 things: Frequency you tune the string to, Length of the string, and Unit Weight (weight per unit length such as inch or centimeter).

In units of Inch-Pound-Hz, this is the equation:
T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)^2) / 386.4

If you are comparing 2 sets of strings on the scale length with the same tuning, then both Frequency and Length are the same. The only other thing to adjust is the unit weight.

2 strings with the same gauge may not have the same unit weight. This depends on the string materials and construction. It is possible for a larger gauge string to have lower unit weight than a smaller gauge, again, depending on materials and construction. It may be that the strings on your friend's guitar have lower unit weight and lower tension, making it easier to use this technique.

Obviously other setup issues that were mentioned above play into it, namely string height.
Click to expand...
so to clarify, let's say the 1st bass strings has the same frequency and unit weight as the 2nd bass strings but the 1st bass strings is longer than the 2nd bass strings. would the first bass have more tension?
 
#23
H K said:
Good question! I guess yes, but only by a fraction, and you will hardly notice it.
And it wouldn't really make it HARDER to hit them, but it will require a tiny bit more strength from your left, thats why low tension strings are good for this. Also, by increasing the distance they have to travel, the impact should also become more audible :)
Click to expand...
I see, thanks!
 
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#25
umefie said:
so to clarify, let's say the 1st bass strings has the same frequency and unit weight as the 2nd bass strings but the 1st bass strings is longer than the 2nd bass strings. would the first bass have more tension?
Click to expand...

The tension is proportional to the Length squared, so yes, as you increase length but hold the frequency, the tension will increase.

BUT the length is the scale length from Nut to Saddle, not the length of the full unwound string. If these are all 34" scale basses then the lengths are all the same.
 
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#28
If the same technique sounds good on your friend's bass, but not on yours, your friend's bass might have more output or compression in the signal. Both can be helpful for getting everything to sound the same volume-wise. You could try raising your pickups closer to the strings.
 
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#31
You can (1) talk this topic to death or you can (2) make adjustments to your instrument and test play it. I understand how forums like TB feed the first group but the players who get the sounds they are after are those in the second group. My point: make specific adjustments to your bass and play it that way long enough to evaluate the results. You’ll actually be doing something and you’ll find “your sound” much faster.
 
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#33
umefie said:
same question as the guy above, wouldn't raising my action make it harder to make the string hit the metal pieces on the fretboard since it's further away?
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. The string needs to travel at least a bit for it to produce sound. Otherwise you’re basically hitting an already muted string. Lots of possibilities have already been mentioned but it could also be that your bass just doesn’t have a voice that lends itself as well to the technique you’re describing.
 
#36
very high action wont allow you to get any clank, but so will super low action, the strings still need to be high enough to have a snap action between the fret and the string. Also, which pickup are using? the sound of clanking strings is picked up much better when you're using either both pickups or mostly the neck pickup.
 
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#38
alex1fly said:
If the same technique sounds good on your friend's bass, but not on yours, your friend's bass might have more output or compression in the signal. Both can be helpful for getting everything to sound the same volume-wise. You could try raising your pickups closer to the strings.
Click to expand...
Also, try taking measurements of his string and pick up heights and neck relief and duplicate that on your bass
 

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