Cannot get the clank sound on new bass

[Altitude]

Based on my read, I disagree with raising action. The percussive effect the OP wants comes from the strings making contact with the frets, which requires more effort when action is higher.

I think it's one or both of:

- The strings on the OP's bass are very dead, to the point where they no longer provide sound output that the OP wants. Easy fix, new strings.

- The OP is mistaken about the neck relief being the same on the two basses. I mention this because a) a bass with more neck relief will result in less string-to-fret contact than one with less, effort constant, and b) the OP is offering an extremely specific measurement on neck relief at the same time he is demonstrating a lack of understanding of several other aspects of how a bass makes sound. No offense intended but I'm not sure I believe he has both basses with .008 inches of relief.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I actually think your strings are too high at the nut. Compare the distance between the top of the 1st fret and bottom of the strings on both basses. Raising the action will not help you achieve what you want easier as you'll need more force for the strings to hit the frets because of the longer distance.

 

[2thAche]

Didn't read all replies, but is the action too high?

Edit: sounds like you need a setup

 

[Geogio]

Isn't "clank" when neck relief needs attention?

 

[gt96g]

D'addario XL, assuming xl since they are most common are fairly stiff for nickel round wounds. I would definitely go for something a little lower tension. Check out some round core strings like DR sunbeams, and maybe drop a guage level. If you're using mediums try going light. I think based on what your saying, your just looking for more give in your strings. DR Sunbeams being round core instead of hex core will definitely do that.

 

[umefie]

hello, thanks for the replies! now update,

The OP is mistaken about the neck relief being the same on the two basses

Yes I was actually leaning towards this too because there was no way we both got 0.008 relief buying the bass without both of us adjusting it.

I checked again and the problem was there was 2 feeler gauges that's like connected to each other and I didn't notice it when I measured it before.(this means that I was using 2feeler gauges and this explains why I couldn't fit it in both guitar strings .

Now I measured it again and mine is 0.016 and my friend's is 0.010.
might try to adjust the relief later and might experiment with the action of the strings as you guys have said.

I actually think your strings are too high at the nut. Compare the distance between the top of the 1st fret and bottom of the strings on both basses

how should I go about doing this?

 

[umefie]

I have a question aswell in adjusting trussrod
let's say I want to make my relief smaller. facing this way in the pic, do I turn it following the red arrow or the green arrow?

 

[umefie]

when making neck relief smaller, do I also loosen need the strings or no need?

 

[umefie]

I actually think your strings are too high at the nut. Compare the distance between the top of the 1st fret and bottom of the strings on both basses. Raising the action will not help you achieve what you want easier as you'll need more force for the strings to hit the frets because of the longer distance.

tried this. used a 0.030 feeler gauge

my guitar
E string can pass through
g string can't pass through
other guitar
e string can't pass
g string can't pass

also tried it with a 0.018or 0.019 feeler gauge the e string in my guitar seem to always fit in easily. other strings can pass through but not as easily as the e string in my guitar
based from this I think there's a problem with the nut maybe(not sure)?

 

[Loring]

I have a question aswell in adjusting trussrod
let's say I want to make my relief smaller. facing this way in the pic, do I turn it following the red arrow or the green arrow?View attachment 4932426

Reduce relief - green arrow. Go 1/4 turn at a time. It’s best to slack the strings but not absolutely necessary. Re tune after each adjustment as in this case your strings will pitch up. Loosening them back to being in tune will further decrease relief.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

tried this. used a 0.030 feeler gauge

my guitar
E string can pass through
g string can't pass through
other guitar
e string can't pass
g string can't pass

also tried it with a 0.018or 0.019 feeler gauge the e string in my guitar seem to always fit in easily. other strings can pass through but not as easily as the e string in my guitar
based from this I think there's a problem with the nut maybe(not sure)?

This is what I thought. I think you need to file down the nut. But that's not reversible if you go too far, I'd take it to a luthier if needed.

 

[umefie]

This is what I thought. I think you need to file down the nut. But that's not reversible if you go too far, I'd take it to a luthier if needed.

is it hard to do it?

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

is it hard to do it?

It's not hard but it's very easy to overdo it. You will need to file the string grooves down. If you do it too much, the strings will be buzzing all the time and you might need to get a new nut and start over.