Clicking sounds from frets

Without observing your technique I can’t be sure, but I think you may have already identified your problem. I know because I had the issue of “hitting” the strings on a hard attack and hearing that clack when I did. By careful observation I figured out that my hitting the string bottomed it out on a higher fret, much as would happen intentionally with “slap” technique. I had to relearn my attack and figure out how to pull each note evenly. This adjustment actually took place many years into my career, BTW. The problem disappeared and it took less time than I expected. Check it out and see if I’m even in the ball park.

 

Probably either setup, technique, EQ or some combination thereof.

 

Dave LaRue once gave me this advice..."lighten up and play closer to the bridge."

 

Are you sure your strings are hitting frets and not the pickup? If it ends up that your strings are contacting the pickup, then you may want to lower the pickup.

 

Sounds like a set up issue. Lots of ways for that to occur.

 

Could be any of the following:
1.) Action too low. Remedy> raise it.
2.) Uneven fret(s). Remedy> check to make sure one or more isn't/aren't higher than the rest. May need fret work.
3.) Ski jump. Remedy> re-shim neck to the correct angle making sure the shim is distributed between the neck screws properly.
4.) Neck relief is wrong. Remedy> adjust truss rod to correct it.
5.) Warped neck. Remedy> chuck it into the wood stove and replace it with a new neck.
6.) Other. Remedy> consult a luthier in person rather than posting on TB.

Hope this helps.

 

I'm wondering if the pick-up is microphonic ...

 

Proper set-up
Adjust technique
Possible raise of the action
Check PuPs/adjust

Had similar issue early on, all above fixed it. IMO, 95% can be fixed with proper set-up...the other 5% is ALL us.

 

I happened to notice that after even just a few replies no one has suggested that you simply switch to 100% Iron Maiden song material, and keep playing Steve's sound. I mean, this IS our beloved Talk Bass and I don't want us to slip, or get lazy, or sloppy - it's WAY too early for that at this juncture of the TB lifespan.

OK OK consider a tort pickguard too.

All kidding aside, professional set up, and right hand technique.

 

Sounds a lot like a technique issue. Play with your fretting fingers more or less laying on the strings. This way there is no “wind up” when hitting a note. Also, the coated strings out there might muffle the noise a bit.

 

It seems a setup issue to me.

(I also have a Danelectro - A DC - and I don't have such problem).

 

I'm guessing this as I've run into it before. Do you hear a similar noise coming out the amp just by tapping on the body wood? Is it a hollow plastic-sounding click?

 

Drop your treble EQ a bit and odds are it will disappear. Might not be the right answer for your problem, but usually when I hear clicking frets and lots of string noise, it's because the bassist has his treble up at 2 o'clock or higher. It'll only take a second to see if dropping the treble EQ fixes it.

 

I have 3 Danos. No problem. Must be you.

 

Are the pickups active or passive? Does it have a preamp? Are you using any effects?

I have changed pickups in my basses and they can sound different from one to another.

I would adjust the EQ to see if that would work.