Different fingers = different tones, please help.

[AK Bass Guy]

Your index and ring finger may have harder calluses from playing the wound strings on your classical guitar.

I switched from guitar to bass and the calluses on my index and middle finger have always been harder than my ring finger.

I cut my nails all the way back so they make little or no contact with the strings.

If you cut them at just the right length you can alternate between a meatier sound to a pick-ish like sound just by changing the angle of your fingers slightly. But keeping them at the perfect length for this is tricky and not accidentally plucking with the nail sound when you want meat take some time to get use to.

 

[Bango86]

I play with finger flesh or I curve them a little and use nails. The difference is even more pronounced when you use a bit of a nail. I try to file my nails in such a way where they sound as even as I can. Sometimes a different sounds can be to your advantage.

The same holds true with the thumb. Add a bit of palm muting there really is a wide variety of sounds.

Ah man, palm muting on the bass isn't easy!

 

[AK Bass Guy]

Meat

Less meat.

1 finger db ish style lots o meat but need to be real careful how you do or you’ll wreck your wrist and you need to play with the neck more vertical and less horizontal.

 

[Ggaa]

That's just my finger, the callouses are just out of sight. The tone difference is really the difference in a good callus and no callus or juvie callus. It's some work to get the fingers to pluck evenly but just keep at it. I use the pinkie too because imho if you can use them all, the ones you use most will benefit.

 

[Bango86]

View attachment 6971885
Meat
View attachment 6971887
Less meat.
View attachment 6971890
1 finger db ish style lots o meat but need to be real careful how you do or you’ll wreck your wrist and you need to play with the neck more vertical and less horizontal.

Mate, gotta say, those muscles towards the joint of your knuckles are impressive! My weak, princess guitarist fingers fail in comparison haha!

 

[Bango86]

Pinky!!! Only ever used that for rasgueado strumming or anchoring for hand stability. Mines way too weak for plucking.

​

 

[AK Bass Guy]

Ah man, palm muting on the bass isn't easy!

You can always cheat and stick some foam under the strings near the bridge. I suck at palm muting, but I did find that if I put my fretting finger right on top of the fret wire and apply a little extra pressure I can get a pretty convincing palm mute sound.

 

[Fuzzbass]

ut, I don't know why, but when I pluck with first finger, im getting a nice, smooth, round sound, but when I pluck with second finger, same nail length, same attack, same dynamic, there's an audible clunk or subtle click, as if I have an invisible tiny plectrum on the tip of the finger.

As you've seen from other posts, this is normal. My index and middle sound very different for two main reasons. First, my index has a slim tip, while middle is spatulate, the fancy name for fleshier/softer. Second, my middle is longer than my index: this is not too unusual, but others have fingers of roughly similar length.

So yeah: different fingers, different tones. I sometimes play with three fingers (index, middle, ring), and in that case my index sounds different than the other two.

I've just gotten used to it. I may have subtly altered my technique to compensate, but it's not something I think about, differences still exist. Well -- differences in tone. I have tried to keep volume equivalent between fingers, and IMO that's far more important. I don't think anyone notices nuances of bass tone in the mix, not even with my power trios. I mostly play rock-based music where the audience tends to feel bass more than hear it. I think that's true even when I dial in aggressive upper mids for hard rock.

 

[SteveCS]

But, I don't know why, but when I pluck with first finger, im getting a nice, smooth, round sound, but when I pluck with second finger, same nail length, same attack, same dynamic, there's an audible clunk or subtle click, as if I have an invisible tiny plectrum on the tip of the finger.

You just have to examine how you use each finger in detail to identify the differences and where the extraneous sounds are coming from. Consider everything - angles of attack, different 'depths' of follow-through, tip velocity and contact points on the fingers, differences in callouses, etc. Then adjust your hand position, shape and movement until both fingers have equal capability. Remember middle is quite a bit longer then index - each will have a different motion in order to achieve the same outcome. Be prepared to put in a lot of time, knowing that the rewards will come.

 

[AK Bass Guy]

Just to wrap it up for now I’ll conclude with this. Have fun experimenting with you left and right hand techniques but just make sure whatever you do you don’t over stress you hands/wrists and don't get into any habits that will permanently damage your body. Everything from sitting/standing positions to how you fret and pluck if done repeatedly and incorrectly can lead to physical debilitation. Listen to your body, consult the pros, and listen to your doctor. I’m not a pro, just got a bunch of life experiences, so please take any of my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[Minimalist]

3 things come to mind:
1. Technique. Make sure your fingers hit the string at the same angle. Small variations can make a big difference.
2. Do you have calluses on both fingers? That could cause a pick like sound.
3. Make sure your middle finger doesn't hit the strings from the top i.e. pushing it into the fretboard which would cause a clannk,

I understand you have checked most potential issues but recheck and recheck. Something is causing the difference in sound you hear and that something is done by you.

 

[FullumMusic]

It's always tough to say without seeing & hearing, so my suggestions are just guesses.

There's always the option of playing with your thumb. Kinda circumvents the issue, and lends itself more to certain styles of playing than other. But you'll only be using one finger and you won't have to cut your nails short if you want to keep playing classical guitar. Or you can play primarily with one finger and only alternate or introduce the second finger when the bass line requires. There's "proper technique" and also it doesn't matter so long as you can play the part and aren't causing injury through poor ergonomics. Jamerson only played with one finger. That said, wanting to play with 2 fingers and good technique and tone is also valid.

Could be a combination Technique & Technical issue: Your second finger could be directly over the pickup while your first finger isn't, so the exact same stroke with the second finger causes the string to hit the pickup or just exaggerate the difference between the two strings. Could be hitting the string too hard right above the pickup, or just that the pickup is too high (too close to the strings) and allowing that contact to happen when it otherwise wouldn't.

I know you said the strokes are the same with each finger, and since you're coming from classical guitar my guess is you're really aware of your finger-picking technique, so i don't question that. Just wondering if the fingers are starting at the same spot? Like, maybe it's the same stroke, but the first finger starts its stroke on the string while the second finger starts its stroke away from the string and then makes contact with it causing that transient before the note on contact.

Are you alternating fingers 1-2-1-2?
What happens if you switch the plucking order to 2-1-2-1?
If you get different tonality switching up the plucking order, try to figure out what's causing the difference. If both patterns have the same issue, my guess is there's something mechanical going on: Locations of plucks on string being too far apart; different calluses on your fingers; different finger angle hitting different parts of your skin/nail; pickup location vs pluck locations; etc.

 

[bigjames]

Hey all,

Just joined forum. Hoping I could get some advice.


Started learning bass 6 months ago, not brand new as I have been a guitarist for 17 years, including classical, so haven't had to much trouble transitioning right hand technique using rest strokes. Haven't played properly for a few years, so I thought, why not learn bass, something different, new challenge. Thing is, its made me totally regret not playing bass in the first place, im much more suited to it. All my my past band members and guitarist buddies have all told me Im more like bass player apparently, but I stubbornly ignored and had an ego cause I was playing lead, ah well, better late than ever!

But, I don't know why, but when I pluck with first finger, im getting a nice, smooth, round sound, but when I pluck with second finger, same nail length, same attack, same dynamic, there's an audible clunk or subtle click, as if I have an invisible tiny plectrum on the tip of the finger.

Don't get this issue with rest stroke on classical, but obviously bass is a different animal.

Is this a common issue? It's driving me nuts! The only way I have kinda solved this is by growing and shaping my nails classical style, It seems to even out the attack consistency, but I prefer the sound of short nails.

Thanks for reading!

This may be a long shot, but is there any chance your hand position puts your second finger over the pick up? I get something like this if I am plucking and hitting the pick up on the follow through.

 

[Sparkl]

Hey all,

Just joined forum. Hoping I could get some advice.


Started learning bass 6 months ago, not brand new as I have been a guitarist for 17 years, including classical, so haven't had to much trouble transitioning right hand technique using rest strokes. Haven't played properly for a few years, so I thought, why not learn bass, something different, new challenge. Thing is, its made me totally regret not playing bass in the first place, im much more suited to it. All my my past band members and guitarist buddies have all told me Im more like bass player apparently, but I stubbornly ignored and had an ego cause I was playing lead, ah well, better late than ever!

But, I don't know why, but when I pluck with first finger, im getting a nice, smooth, round sound, but when I pluck with second finger, same nail length, same attack, same dynamic, there's an audible clunk or subtle click, as if I have an invisible tiny plectrum on the tip of the finger.

Don't get this issue with rest stroke on classical, but obviously bass is a different animal.

Is this a common issue? It's driving me nuts! The only way I have kinda solved this is by growing and shaping my nails classical style, It seems to even out the attack consistency, but I prefer the sound of short nails.

Thanks for reading!

Your second finger did not have the same attack, same dynamic etc. First of all it's physically a different finger to your first finger, your calluses may not be of the same hardness and the angle of attack could be different compared to your first finger.

The solution is to practive to achieve an even tone between the two fingers, figure out where you're making the difference and adapt the technique. That being said, there will always be a small difference in the sound between 1st and 2nd finger, that's also why sometimes playing lines by just using 1 finger is recommended. James Jamerson stuff and all that. There is an application for it.

 

[LowendG]

Ah man, palm muting on the bass isn't easy!

Depending on the kind of music you play, palm muting with either thumb plucking or pick is one of the most useful tools in the toolbox IMO! More and more I pluck with just my thumb, and with palm muting you have tons of control over the envelope of the note. Same with pickstyle. I see more and more players playing thumb pluck these days than I ever did years ago.

 

[Killing Floor]

I try to use all fingers and I know what you are saying. Try playing drills or songs or whatever you do in practice with 1 plucking finger at a time. It may be a very small difference in strength.

 

[LowendG]

Other little trick to keeping the same plucking sound is not always alternate fingers between every note.

This right here. If it's a simpler part, just pluck with your index, and you get a super consistent sound (or you could be like Jamerson and play everything that way! Still blows my mind when you listen to some of those tracks).
But you can use the different fingers to your advantage when giving a part some "life" and dynamics, unless you're really going for a sequencer-like consistency. Again, listen/watch Rocca playing his 16th note fingerstyle--it's not back and forth constant alternating but each finger playing groups of notes. Kinda like a drummer playing a "train beat" on a snare--you don't just alternate back and forth but mix it up for dynamics and phrasing.

 

[mambo4]

I'm a "meat" plucker so I can't give advice on fingernail useage

But in general, the index finger is stronger and louder but also more controlled and adaptable
When Index and middle don't have an even sound
modulate the index finger, leverage the extra control to match the middle finger

 

[grimjim]

I injured my right middle finger several years ago. Slammed it in a car door. A locked car door. That wasn’t great. Lost the nail for a while. Nearly lost the finger. Now it produces a very hollow sound when I pluck with it. Index finger sounds perfect. Cannot reproduce that sound at all with my middle finger. I feel your frustration. I hear it way more than anyone else and it’s pretty much unnoticeable in a live setting. Can’t pick it out in recordings over the past couple of years either. We are our own worst critics. While I totally get it and completely feel where you’re coming from, it may not be as noticeable to others. Not a solution I know. Really just commiserating.

Wow! Same for me! Same finger too! Though, I lost my fingernail in a router. It grew back but not the same so it doesn't stiffen the fingertip as much as it used too.

I play with three fingers and while it does sound different, it isn't noticeable to anyone else.

 

[retslock]

Hey all,

Just joined forum. Hoping I could get some advice.


Started learning bass 6 months ago, not brand new as I have been a guitarist for 17 years, including classical, so haven't had to much trouble transitioning right hand technique using rest strokes. Haven't played properly for a few years, so I thought, why not learn bass, something different, new challenge. Thing is, its made me totally regret not playing bass in the first place, im much more suited to it. All my my past band members and guitarist buddies have all told me Im more like bass player apparently, but I stubbornly ignored and had an ego cause I was playing lead, ah well, better late than ever!

But, I don't know why, but when I pluck with first finger, im getting a nice, smooth, round sound, but when I pluck with second finger, same nail length, same attack, same dynamic, there's an audible clunk or subtle click, as if I have an invisible tiny plectrum on the tip of the finger.

Don't get this issue with rest stroke on classical, but obviously bass is a different animal.

Is this a common issue? It's driving me nuts! The only way I have kinda solved this is by growing and shaping my nails classical style, It seems to even out the attack consistency, but I prefer the sound of short nails.

Thanks for reading!

I cut my nails short so there’s no click at all but even so, the tone changes with the angle of finger plucking on the string. The middle finger is stronger and if I keep the fingers as perpendicualr as possible to the strings I get a clean tone with good attack/definition but not as full as when the fingers are on an angle. The angled finger pluck gives a tone similar to the thumb which is full and has less up front attack. It’s the side of the finger that contacts the string similar to upright bass technique.
My index and second fingers are quite different lengths so I have had to find ways to even out my tone. For me it’s angled and a little closer to the pickup for a good compromise.