Clicking sound on a Jazz

[NickInMesa]

I have a 93 CIJ Jazz that's been set professionally and has a low action, which I love as is.

Issue is I get a lot of clicking sounds.

Is it a fret issue, a pickup issue?

It happens even when I have my fingers against the fret, less when I pluck by the neck, more when I pluck by the bridge.

It sounds awesome when I play metal, because it has a good Steve Harris sound (and it's obvious he's a strong influence on me -I know, old debate), but not when I play smooth stuff, it's actually aggravating.

It does not matter if I select full on bridge pickup or full on neck pickup, the clicking sound is still there.

I really love this bass and I am starting to be one with it, just that sound...!!!!

 

[relbling]

Don't want to be rude, but are your fingernails trimmed? I find I get a lot of clicking if I even let them get a little too long. I trimmed them last night because I have a gig tonight.

 

[Jim Nazium]

Does it happen with open strings at all? If not, it might be the strings hitting the frets.

 

[NickInMesa]

Don't want to be rude, but are your fingernails trimmed? I find I get a lot of clicking if I even let them get a little too long. I trimmed them last night because I have a gig tonight.

Yeah, I trim my nails

 

[rebelscum]

You may be inadvertantly hitting the Pups. Do you see any string related scratches on them caused by your strings?

 

[NickInMesa]

Does it happen with open strings at all? If not, it might be the strings hitting the frets.

No, never with the open strings.

Only fretted strings. I believe it is fret noise, but if I put more relief in the neck, the action is higher than I like.

 

[stflbn]

Train yourself to play with a light enough touch that you do not get clicking.

About the only solution if you don't want to change your setup.

 

[king_biscuit]

Your action is too low, and when you hit a string (the A string for example), and then your plucking finger comes to rest against the next lower strings (the E string in this example), the lower string is hitting against the fretboard, almost like a slapped string. Try not allowing your fretting hand to cause to string below the one you are fretting to be pressed down -- it's tough to do while maintaining a muting action over the string. Also, try raising your action a bit. Hope this makes sense.

 

[toobalicious]

i get this sound with my geddy lee bass. part of it is low-ish action, and part of it is my semi-aggressive playing style. i dont use tweeters, so it doesnt bother me much, but when i use a DI that clicky thing comes out in the FOH. solution (even if it is just a band aid) is to roll back the treble. i dont really have anything going on above 3-4k anyway.

 

[iamoldschool]

Train yourself to play with a light enough touch that you do not get clicking.

About the only solution if you don't want to change your setup.

This. It's technique. Aggressive style and low action are not a good match unless you want the click. You have the part down where you want the click, now work on your touch until you can eliminate it when you don't want it.

 

[KEVINTHES]

i get clicking on my stingray when the trebble knob is up, and i can play a bass without it causing to buzz on the lowest of low actions.

if its the similar noise that i get, which is simply the noise of your finger rubbing against the string then turn down the 5k-6k or 1.5k knobs if you got em. this has always worked for me.

 

[stflbn]

That's just hiding the issue though. The technique problem still exists. And actually it's muting your overall tone by doing so.

 

[elgecko]

Sounds like the price you pay for low action. I guess you can lighten up your attack.