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Do Basses Chirp?

#22
Sean S said:
Look up the term "harmonics", and I think you'll find that your muting technique needs some brushing up ;)
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Yeah, when I hit the A twelfth fret, one note, I hold it forever listening for the sustain and then that constant chirping kicks in. If I play an A and then move to another note, I don't hear that strange frequency. See that's what I am up against - I am new to bass, I have no clue if these frequencies occur if you let single notes ring out. I can't imagine they do. Strange it just occurs in a band of higher notes from A to the higher A.
 
#25
Wish I could record it.
I went to a music store today and played other basses and amps thinking maybe it was just some strange thing going on in my ear with certain frequencies. It wasn't. No noise on those amps.
I am returning mine and see if I get a better one.
 
#29
sulu said:
No, not string buzz at all.

It is just the high A notes. The low A on the E string is fine. I looked around and am learning a new term - "resonant frequency." Whatever this high A puts out, it creates this weird sound from the amp that gets in my head . I hear it too when I play my bass through a smaller amp; obviously it's more pronounced when I turn up the 60 watt amp. I seem to lessen it by tuning down my high and low mid dials on the EQ,

I tuned up properly and that seemed to help. I think part of it is coming from sympathetic vibrations. But who knows? It really is just the high A notes that the sound comes from.

Thanks all again.
Click to expand...

It's possible you may have something rattling around that's only activated by certain frequencies. The usual culprits are the springs or saddles on your bridge. Play it acoustically, and move your ear around on your bass to locate the sound.

The trick to figuring out any problem with your stuff is isolation. Keep removing or swapping parts of your gear until you've figured out what the problem isn't, then you'll be well on your way to finding what it is.
 
#30
It's probably not your gear. Flourescent lights, cell phones, routers can cause this stuff. But if it really is only happening on a couple different notes, I'd say that those notes are the same as some of the standing waves that occur naturally in the room.
 
#31
Snarf said:
It's probably not your gear. Flourescent lights, cell phones, routers can cause this stuff. But if it really is only happening on a couple different notes, I'd say that those notes are the same as some of the standing waves that occur naturally in the room.
Click to expand...

Standing waves don't chirp.
 
#32
You've had a wealth of suggestions so far, maybe enough to feel overwhelming to a beginning bassist. I'll add one more idea to your list, and it doesn't cost anything. If you bring your bass to your local music store, you could plug it into some of their bass amps. Bring your instrument cable with you also. If the same problem seems to repeat itself, on a different amp, then you'll know that your amp is not the issue. You could also try a different cable at the store. If that fixes your noise, then buy a new cable.

I also agree with others, that it could be harmonics, which are a natural part of playing bass, or guitar. Ask for some help; maybe a bass player at the store can check it out for you and see what he or she thinks. Don't agree to any expensive repair or service unless you identify a true problem. Chances are that the ideas listed for you here will cover the possibilities well. You're getting a crash course in troubleshooting, which will help you in the future. Don't give up; and keep us updated on your progress.

Good luck!
Joel :)
 

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