Hit the pickup when plucking string

[Tad Strange]

Hi, I just had the Fernandes fr-40. It sounds great to me but there’s a problem I encountered that did not happen with my previous PBass. That when I pluck the strings, especially the D and G string, I alws hit the pickup and it creates a
plastic sound. Although no sound go to the amp but it’s feel and sound are uncomfortable to me. I wonder If it is because of my right hand position or because of the bass? Or is it normal
Here’s the bass:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[GTHintz]

If it's hitting the pickups you definitely want to lower them. You think it sounds good right now but honestly if they are dropped to a good height it's going to sound awesome. If you see screws going into the pickup cavity just turn them with a screw driver. Just a few turns at a time until you're not hitting them anymore and it starts to sound more clear. Most pickups that close will sound muddy anyway. I like to adjust them by ear until I get just enough clarity for my taste. If you go too low they sound quieter and can loose some fullness in the tone. You'll find a good spot for them and no longer have to worry about making grooves in your pickup covers.

 

[Whale]

I had a similar problem, as well, but I also fought “fret clack”, as well. Lowering the pickup solved most of the issues. The remaining problem of the string clacking against the frets was a little tougher to remedy. I installed a set of heavier gauge strings to reduce the amount of movement that occurs. Along with that I moved my right hand position back a little bit so that I’m plucking against the strings where the tension is greater. Playing with a lighter touch helped, as well.

 

[Nashrakh]

If it's just your fingers hitting the pickup and not the string itself, it's a matter of preference. I like my pickups that high up to approximate a sort of "ramp" some players us, limiting the travel of my fingers after plucking.

But if you don't like it, either get away from the plucking over the pickup or lower it, as has been suggested.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Using floating-thumb technique will also force the plucking fingers into an “angle of attack” which reduces string clank and the likelihood of striking the pickup. As suggested, I would lower the pickup(s) to some degree also. Not much room for a ramp.

Riis

 

[Tad Strange]

Thank you all, I lowered my pickup and raise the string action up a little and now it's much more comfortable. First time setting up the bass, I usually scare to touch anything but this time it feels great

 

[fretno]

I always keep the pickup just low enough to be out of reach of the string, the other part of that is your attack. Try adjusting it so its more a side ways pluck instead of a downward hit.

 

[B-Mac]

Hi, I just had the Fernandes fr-40. It sounds great to me but there’s a problem I encountered that did not happen with my previous PBass. That when I pluck the strings, especially the D and G string, I alws hit the pickup and it creates a
plastic sound. Although no sound go to the amp but it’s feel and sound are uncomfortable to me. I wonder If it is because of my right hand position or because of the bass? Or is it normal
Here’s the bass:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Wedgie picks
No clickity clack
Wedgie Guitar Picks

@jd56hawk got me into them

 

[Stewie]

I love it when I smack a magnet pole with a string. The explosion always makes my favorite drummer jump.

 

[jdjk7]

Hi, I just had the Fernandes fr-40. It sounds great to me but there’s a problem I encountered that did not happen with my previous PBass. That when I pluck the strings, especially the D and G string, I alws hit the pickup and it creates a
plastic sound. Although no sound go to the amp but it’s feel and sound are uncomfortable to me. I wonder If it is because of my right hand position or because of the bass? Or is it normal
Here’s the bass:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I had this problem, but didn't really want to screw with the pickup. I play really hard. So, on one of my basses, I covered it with electrical tape, and on the other I used masking tape. After a while, tape on the pickups just looks right to me.

 

[Five or Six]

If you have never setup a bass it would be worth it to have someone that knows do it for you. You lowered the pickup but, was it necessary to raise the action? Setup is something good to learn. Your bass, your game, up to ya.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Hi, I just had the Fernandes fr-40. It sounds great to me but there’s a problem I encountered that did not happen with my previous PBass. That when I pluck the strings, especially the D and G string, I alws hit the pickup and it creates a
plastic sound. Although no sound go to the amp but it’s feel and sound are uncomfortable to me. I wonder If it is because of my right hand position or because of the bass? Or is it normal
Here’s the bass:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here's a link to manufacturer's manual and setup instructions for your bass:

https://mirm.ru/upload/iblock/177/Fernandes Basses And Electric Guitars Manual (EN).pdf

 

[Tad Strange]

If you have never setup a bass it would be worth it to have someone that knows do it for you. You lowered the pickup but, was it necessary to raise the action? Setup is something good to learn. Your bass, your game, up to ya.

It's a holiday at my place now so stores are closed. Beside, I think it is better to learn to maintain your instrument. But I'll ask someone to check it out for me after the holiday.
And you're right, I adjust the action a little bit, not raising all of them.

 

[Tad Strange]

I had this problem, but didn't really want to screw with the pickup. I play really hard. So, on one of my basses, I covered it with electrical tape, and on the other I used masking tape. After a while, tape on the pickups just looks right to me.

I must lower them because it stops my finger when only 1/5 of my finger tip get through the string.

 

[jdjk7]

I must lower them because it stops my finger when only 1/5 of my finger tip get through the string.

ok, I've just realized you're talking about your finger hitting the pickup and not the strings hitting pole pieces...

 

[Lobster11]

Using floating-thumb technique will also force the plucking fingers into an “angle of attack” which reduces string clank and the likelihood of striking the pickup. As suggested, I would lower the pickup(s) to some degree also. Not much room for a ramp.

Riis

I agree: This is a technique issue, not a setup issue. In general you want your plucking motion to pull the string parallel to the bass body towards the next (lower-pitched) string -- or just to brush your finger across the top of the string and towards the next string. My guess is that you have your thumb anchored on top of a pickup so your fingers have to reach farther to pluck the D or E, which changes the angle of your fingers relative to the strings and creates this "downward" rather than "across" plucking motion. The idea behind the floating-thumb technique, or the related moveable-anchor technique, is to ensure that the angle of your plucking fingers remains the same no matter which string you're playing.

 

[Tad Strange]

I agree: This is a technique issue, not a setup issue. In general you want your plucking motion to pull the string parallel to the bass body towards the next (lower-pitched) string -- or just to brush your finger across the top of the string and towards the next string. My guess is that you have your thumb anchored on top of a pickup so your fingers have to reach farther to pluck the D or E, which changes the angle of your fingers relative to the strings and creates this "downward" rather than "across" plucking motion. The idea behind the floating-thumb technique, or the related moveable-anchor technique, is to ensure that the angle of your plucking fingers remains the same no matter which string you're playing.

hmm, I understand. I'll ask for a guy for a proper setup and check my technique

 

[Lobster11]

hmm, I understand. I'll ask for a guy for a proper setup and check my technique

I'm not sure that having a tech "check your technique" is a good idea. It's not like there's a single "correct" right-hand technique, such that anybody could tell you what you're doing "wrong." I (and @Zooberwerx) are just suggesting that your problem might well related to your technique, and that a potential solution might be to switch to a "floating thumb" or "moveable anchor" technique -- both of which are designed in part to ensure that your plucking-hand position (and angle of fingers relative to strings) remains constant across all strings. Here are a couple of videos that illustrate and explain these two techniques and the reasoning behind them:





I think if you experiment with these a bit, paying attention to how they differ from your current technique, you can probably diagnose the problem yourself. If you use one of these techniques, does the hitting-the-pickup problem go away?

Good luck, and please report back!

 

[Les Fret]

Just lower the pickups. It’s ok if your fingers hit the pickups lightly. You don’t necessarily have to use floating thumb.

 

[Tad Strange]

I'm not sure that having a tech "check your technique" is a good idea. It's not like there's a single "correct" right-hand technique, such that anybody could tell you what you're doing "wrong." I (and @Zooberwerx) are just suggesting that your problem might well related to your technique, and that a potential solution might be to switch to a "floating thumb" or "moveable anchor" technique -- both of which are designed in part to ensure that your plucking-hand position (and angle of fingers relative to strings) remains constant across all strings. Here are a couple of videos that illustrate and explain these two techniques and the reasoning behind them:





I think if you experiment with these a bit, paying attention to how they differ from your current technique, you can probably diagnose the problem yourself. If you use one of these techniques, does the hitting-the-pickup problem go away?

Good luck, and please report back!

Actually, I'm using these two techniques. The pickups are indeed too high because even when my fingers are almost parallel to the bass, the (I don't know what the meaty part at the finger is called) still hit the pickup. But tks to the videos, I realize that my techniques are not entirely correct and they help me improve a lot.