Clanky B string.

[spanndrew]

Soundcloud clip coming soon, busy couple days. But thank you all for the responses.

 

[spanndrew]

A



One more question: Is the mechanical clonk heard acoustically too? I e when not plugged in at all? If it is heard both ways there's something mechanical going on, and I think the last thing to check for is to change out to a new string. Check all other things above first. Backbow buzz, neck relief, and especially the nut slot cut for that string especially. I e the nut slot cut maybe good enough for the rest of the strings, but not that groove for the low b-string. If it's too low it always touches the first few frets, and on top of that, if the neck relief is too flat, the rest of the frets along the neck.

It is indeed heard acoustically!

The nut was a little low, so I added a small piece of fabric under the string as a fix about two months ago, it solved a little fret buzz, but not this issue.

 

[spanndrew]

Since you've told us very little about your bass, or what pickups you use it can be another problem, but I think it is a last straw and a bit far fetched. Since I've told you about the loose and sloppy b-string on all basses, and that those are more "prone-to-drone", the b-string can be the one string that is affected by Magnetic String Pull from the pickup that is set TOO CLOSE to the string(s). So, when you play and it starts to "rattle" or "rumble about" it may be just in the threshold point of startin to draw itself to the pole piece and touch it, because the magnet actually pulls the string towards it. But as the string oscillates, it hits the pole piece just once in a while. Try lowering the pickup(s) just once to see if the clonk goes away! If it doesn't, well then, turn them back up again.

I always encountered this when mixing direct bass lines when someone else are playing especially P basses, or PJ bassses. Fender Precision or Jazz basses, with a pickup set downwards the string, i e a neck pickup. Always, when they finger any string, the initial attack is always clanking the pole piece (because of the way the finger pick with their fingers downard and up instead of sideways), and when played dynamically and aggresively that clank is a nuisance and trouble to get rid of. The problem is that it is not heard in any tube amp with warm distortion or something like that because it is "interpreted" by the amp as a percussive thud instead. Which may be very useful and musically fit. But the signal from the line box direct fed into the mixer, it is a nuisance and annoying clonk. You dig in with your fingers so much so that you actually let the string - very briefly - touch the pole piece of the pickup. This can mostly be remedied with moving up to a thicker gauge. Or set the pickups a bit low. But setting that pickup lower, will usually mean that they have no resting place for their thumbs because that space left will be too narrow (at the top of the pickup shell). So then, you'll just have to baby the strings while playing, compromising and sacrificing your dynamic content.

I've had that issue as well, but have adjusted my technique and pickup height accordingly to avoid it.

 

[Honch]

Ibanez BTB 1406e, nordstrand big single pickups, dunlop super bright nickel plated strings 130-30.

I'll test out some new batteries and see if this helps out!

Finally, some valid input info. Thank you thank you! Since you said in a later post, that it is definitely heard acoustically too, rule out ANYTHING electric, like batteries and so on. Then we can concentrate on the bass not plugged in at all.

 

[Honch]

I get why no tapered or open core, but why no balanced?

The balanced hype is elusive at best. Because if some string set come as long scale, short scale, medium scale, and extra long scale, it is not that sure that you'll get the right balanced set. Because those balanced string may be balanced on a 34" scale neck, but it isn't the same balance on a 35". Maybe it's a too narrow thing to notice, but no one is going to fool me that any balanced set will sound balanced on any scale/neck. And thus, the balance on 34 will not be the same as on a 35. Period. The balance just comes within each strings wrap-to-core ratio. My opinion is that the only thing that would get closer to "more balanced" is using a fanned fret/multi scale bass like Dingwall et al. And for that sake, the brand new Ibanez SRFF series which also uses fanned frets (finally!).

There's not only the "balance" thing to take care of when using strings. The inner core of any bass string can vary with this parameter too: Hex Core or Round Core. See pic:

OR :

When playing with round core for the first time you will realize that the string tension is noticeably lower than with other strings. This is achieved by using a round core string instead of a hexagonal core string. The hex core found in mass produced strings improves the bond between the bronze or nickel winding and the center core, but these strings - hex core - have a stiffer feel and need a higher tension to pitch to tune. Furthermore, there will always be tiny cavities between the hex core and the winding, allowing moisture and dirt to accumulate which soon deadens the string. Therefore, the construction of Round Core strings results in greater string life and easier playability! Lower tension too.

-- - ---

I don't know any manufacturer that BLENDS hex core and round core within a set. Only Englands Newtone strings would be able to make that. You can buy singles at a time, and produce your own hybrid set. Expensive as it is though.

One thing to make sure of, that while the tension is balanced in feel, and playing ability, you may actually whack the magnetic properties out of balance. I e the pickup tracks the strings motion weaker. The main tension and magnetic sensing comes from the core only (or almost only!) Now in order to create something of a balanced set without blending hex and round core, they make the inner core of a larger gauge and wrap it with a thinner gauge, but the overall resulting gauge is the same as printed on any package for a - say - 040 - 120 set (5 string as an example). If the lower strings has the same tension as the higher ones, they will not vibrate/oscillate enough. So then you must balance the pickup on your bass INDIVIDUALLY for each string. Now, as far as I know, your bass comes with non adjustable pole pieces on the pickups (Nordstrands?). This is something that very few bass pickup manufacturers got. Maybe DiMarzio has some models with adjustable pole pieces.

My experience of balanced sets has been - too - a hit or miss. On some basses they will be the perfect fit, and on some others, definitely not, and definitely for the worse than regular strings. On some basses I had to go down a whole step IN GAUGE so to speak, in order for getting the right balance on all accounts, but then I didn't feel comfortable with the tone produce or the feel in the fingers. I think bass strings are too expensive - FOR ME - to have to, all of the time, shop around until I get the set that I'd like. I have other things to do. Like, play.

Now let's leave this, as this has nothing to do with your clank!

 

[Honch]

If you're using Dunlop bright nickel sets, this review suggests it has thinner core/wrap ratio:

Review: Dunlop Super Bright Strings | Bassplayer

BUT! Still the clank is heard acoustically and has nothing to do with this. You should check for loose screws/bolts at the bridge. As well as checking that the truss rod bolt/adjustment screw isn't screwed back so it rattles around up there on the headstock. But then I think the clonk should be heard on every other string too. Although the mass of the low b can cause vibrations to spread more. You can check this while doing the temporary string swap thing described above. As you pass your way through the note of B while tuning that E-string up, stay on b for a while to hear if something is mechanical dependent and clonks or rattles just to that particular frequency. Then carry on tune up to E.

One last thing to check for is, if you care to remove all strings (!):

When every string is removed, tap with your fingers or knock with your fist around (Knock on Wood!), along the neck, and body and see if the same clonk is heard at the tap/knock. If you hear it louder at some places and softer at some. This will reveal any loose screw, truss rod, pickup or else. If something rattles, tighten it up. Simple as that. Hey it can even be the strap knobs clonking around!

 

[Honch]

FWIW, I see a slight caveat emptor is slowly creeping up now in the industry of balanced tension string sets, and the onset of fanned frets basses. As for now, there's Ibanez and Dingwall who fixes the balance on strings with multiple scale/fan fret. This works well with most regular string sets. However, if you should choose to use balanced string sets on those fan fret basses, you're in for opening up a pandoras box and a can of worms. It will turn counterproductive and - maybe - throw the balance off in a completely opposite direction. I e compensating too much.

However, IMHO (personal opinion and just taste) I don't think that a balanced set on a regular scale bass will be just as good as a regular (unbalanced) set on any fanned fret basses. They are not replacement to/of each other. Not interchangeable at all by any means. Now, we're splitting hairs, but I sense a greater deal of inharmonics on the lowest strings of a balanced set on a regular fretted bass (i e pararell frets). But less inharmonicies on a fanned fret bass with regular strings. This is a bit of ... aqcuired taste though, and something that dawns on you as you turn into a more refined player.

 

[Honch]

I've seen that Ibanez has started too, to incorporate this "middle faux pickup" finger rest stroke rest (!).
I e it has been a problem for some players earlier, no doubt. Instead of a thumb rest, a "finger stop". Maybe to reduce the possibility to a too strong finger pushing the b-string down so it initially "clonks" the pickup shells?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[joebar]

My teacher recommended a set of smiths, I think the balanced set with 120 B. I was thinking of trying one set or another of smiths next time I have the cash to blow on new strings.

a 120 B aint gonna help you if you are clanking away with a 130. 120 is too low for a B IME

 

[spanndrew]

I've seen that Ibanez has started too, to incorporate this "middle faux pickup" finger rest stroke rest (!).
I e it has been a problem for some players earlier, no doubt. Instead of a thumb rest, a "finger stop". Maybe to reduce the possibility to a too strong finger pushing the b-string down so it initially "clonks" the pickup shells?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I don't believe my issue is coming from a right hand technique issue, however I do like the idea of one of those...

 

[Honch]

Erhh..hmmm. On this YouTube vid where it is actually posted as a review from music site Music Radar I find the initial sound from that bass ( a 5 string though) actually klicking and clanking at the beginning of every note anyway. Beats me.

 

[JustForSport]

Anticipate/left-hand mute the B and maybe raise the string a little to help the muting before fretting.

 

[Honch]

More grander option, trade the bass in for one of these (it's still an Ibanez):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]