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Finger Pop/Ping?

Discussion in 'Technique [BG]' started by WarBeer, Jun 22, 2019.

  1. Jun 22, 2019 #1
    WarBeer

    WarBeer

    Dec 29, 2015
    Playing a Mexican P-Bass and I notice that I get a pretty obvious pop/ping. After trying different positioning and pickup adjustments...I believe it's my nails. I have fairly thin fingers with very long nail-beds. I cut them back as far as I can...but as the flesh compresses with the attack...my nail is still getting in there a bit.

    Is this common? Is there anything that I can do about this?

    I'm using standard round-wound strings. Maybe Flatwound or halfwound? Any ideas would be most appreciated. Every string ends up being brighter than I'd like...especially the D and G. Definitely would like a little more "buttery-ness" in my tone;)
     
  2. Jun 22, 2019 #2
    micguy

    micguy

    May 17, 2011
    Geddy Lee plays this way. Join a Rush tribute band. Or cut your nails back to where there's no white. Instrument setup and technique are things that go hand in hand - a higher setup might help your situation, as some of what you have might be a bit of fret clank. which some of us like, but some of use hate.

    My fingers have really hard callouses, so when I want a really soft sound, I use my thumb. But I can't use it much, or it'll develop heard callouses, too.
     
  3. Jun 22, 2019 #3
    Lobster11

    Lobster11 Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Apr 22, 2006
    Williamsburg, VA
    Two thoughts. First, you might just be plucking harder than you need to -- as suggested by your observation that "the flesh compresses with the attack." Try turning up the amp and playing with a softer touch. (This is a good idea for lots of other reasons as well.) Second, it might be the angle at which your fingers are attacking the strings: The more your finger is perpendicular to the string, the more likely you'll catch the nail on it. Try adjusting your hand position to make sure you keep a straight wrist (also a good idea for lots of other reasons), which will encourage you to brush across the top of the string with (end of) the finger pad rather than the very tip of the finger.