• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Clank

BullHorn

BullHorn

Nov 23, 2006
1,838
43
www.youtube.com
#1
So for the last year, I was playing with light-gauge strings on a low-action bass with alooot of fretboard clank.

For a while there I thought I liked it but I woke up. Problem is, I'm so used to clanking I don't know what to do!

My action is high enough to not have deadnotes or fretbuzz anywhere but whenever I play the least bit aggressive, clank begins. What should I do?
 
#2
My advice would be: keep practising. I had a similar problem, I liked (still do) the clank too and only played that way (now I play "clanking" and normal) so when I finally played a song that didn't requiere it my fingers felt dumb, so I started practising very slowly again and I realised the angle of my hand makes a big difference. Try to play more perpendicular instead of "pressing" the strings down against the fretboard.

I hope this helps and excuse my bad english :)
 
#4
i hate the clank ....my action is reasonably high enough although i like the neck quite straight ...it mostly notes on the low e ....

i notice it the most when i use backline like ampeg half stacks rather than my combo .....maybe i don't hear it so much with my combo ....

i think it must be my right hand is still a bit aggressive although i like the feel of how i play ....

i really don't hear it much practicing with headphones and my pod ...

anybody with any advice please chime in ..

my bass is a warwick corvette ....do brass frets accentuate clank?
 
#7
BullHorn said:
So for the last year, I was playing with light-gauge strings on a low-action bass with alooot of fretboard clank.

For a while there I thought I liked it but I woke up. Problem is, I'm so used to clanking I don't know what to do!

My action is high enough to not have deadnotes or fretbuzz anywhere but whenever I play the least bit aggressive, clank begins. What should I do?
Click to expand...
Setup - TalkBass Wiki
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - TalkBass Forums
Setup - TalkBass Wiki
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - TalkBass Forums
 
#9
I'm in the same situation. It wasn't so noticeable until I got my Ric 4003. The "clank" gets so pronounced with that bass that it become really annoying. I realised that I have to pull the stings (change the angle of my right hand) instead of hammering them and play softer. It's really hard to get rid of that habit, it is like second nature now. I really enjoy playing aggressively, a lot like Steve Harris or Frank Bello. Anyone who would like to comment?
 
#10
On top of Edgars suggestion to check your angle, I will tell you that your playing too hard. You should be letting your amplifier do all the amplification, you should just be playing. A light touch can play fast and turn into a thunderous sound on record, a hard touch has to get EQ'd so hard it sounds bad because of all that high end clank.

Short answer : Practice.

EDIT: I should add, I do occasionally clank still, as do many highly respected professionals. The clank isn't a death strike in rock/metal like it is in jazz, don't read too much into it. A little clank here and there is fine if you're fine with it, especially live, it usually gets lost in the mix.
 
#12
I don't know if this will be helpful for you but I've noticed if I'm clanking the strings I tend to play from my first knuckle, hammering the strings down. If I'm playing "normal" I play from my second knuckle, even if my action setup is really low I play softer, with the pad of my finger instead of my fingertips.
 
#13
Edgar664 said:
I don't know if this will be helpful for you but I've noticed if I'm clanking the strings I tend to play from my first knuckle, hammering the strings down. If I'm playing "normal" I play from my second knuckle, even if my action setup is really low I play softer, with the pad of my finger instead of my fingertips.
Click to expand...

It was helpful, thank you.

I took some time to analyse my playing and yes using the pads of my fingers instead of the tips, play softer and closer to the strings made a big difference. Also a lot of times my fretting hand was stiff and often I was hammering the notes too much instead of just pressing them.

Thankfully it's not that hard to adjust. I thought it would have take a lot more time since it was so instinctive.
 
#17
Razzmatazz said:
Thanks for your reply.

I forgot to mention that I do practice a lot unplungged with a metronome, mostly exercises while watching tv.
Click to expand...

There is part of your problem right there. I used to do the same thing many years ago and realised that, by practising unplugged, I was hitting the strings harder than needed just to hear myself.

Play with a practise amp (or headphones) and you should be able to tame the clank.

Don't lose the ability to clank completely, learn how to switch it on and off because some songs need it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back