how to avoid clanky noises when pushing the strings onto the frets?

[JPK_DK]

Hi, I often struggle with some clanky noises when coming from an "open" (nothing fretted yet) string to fretting a note higher up the neck (say above the 7th fret). Pushing the string from its natural position down to the frets this high up often causes a clanky noise (but also a note; a bit like when tapping I guess). Is there a way/technique to reduce this?

The action on this bass is about 3 mm. I guess lowering the action could help with this. But, what else? Is it purely training your fingers to come down gradually (yet fast), and also to get the timing between fretting and plucking more in sync?

I hope my descriptions make some sense and that you have some pointers for me!? Thanks!

 

[SteveCS]

...
...
. But, what else? Is it purely training your fingers to ... get the timing between fretting and plucking more in sync?

I hope my descriptions make some sense and that you have some pointers for me!? Thanks!

Makes perfect sense, and is a common problem. It is pretty much all about synchronisation of the hands, IME.

 

[lowplaces]

LPF ?

 

[lowplaces]

"If you add a LPF (low pass filter), depending on your style, you can tame the highs as well by cutting fret noise and finger scrapes.."
High Pass and Low Pass Filters | TalkBass.com

 

[JPK_DK]

LPF ?

Ah... sorry, man, not familiar with that acronym...

OK, got it now, thanks

 

[lowplaces]

Ah... sorry, man, not familiar with that acronym...

Low pass filter

See my second post.

 

[JPK_DK]

"If you add a LPF (low pass filter), depending on your style, you can tame the highs as well by cutting fret noise and finger scrapes.."
High Pass and Low Pass Filters | TalkBass.com

Yes, that could work to some extent, but the sound I am worried about is more like an involuntary tap, and thus not as high-frequency as finger scrapes (been struggling with those as well...).

 

[Papageno]

Try playing a fretless ?
Or use tapewound strings ?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Technique. Practice with headphones and your treble up (to accentuate the clank).

 

[micguy]

The timing between your left and right hands is key here.

If you practice enough for long enough, stuff like this goes away - you don't think about it anymore. Damping is the same thing - after a while it just happens. Then...you build a 5 string, and...oh yeah, I have to figure out how to damp 5 strings now.

 

[pappabass]

You are playing "down" on the strings.. Try to play across the strings. I do the same thing. Turn the treble down just a little.

 

[JZQuantum]

Learn to keep a little more pressure with your fretting hand throughout the entire fretting process. To this day, I still do not always press the string down long enough to coordinate with my plucking hand. When the fretting hand lifts too early, you can get the small amount of buzz at the end of the note.

If that isn't the issue, then I would get your bass setup, including the neck relief.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

I think it’s technique. I have to try to make my bass clank, or produce finger squeak, or let strings ring out unmuted. But that took conscious effort for a while when I was new at it. Kind of like driving a manual transmission. Hard at first, and then it’s just natural.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I'm guessing you have a pretty heavy hand since you keep your action so high. I would suggest lowering it at least .5mm and learning to play with a lighter touch. Let your amp handle the volume, not your hands. It will help reduce your clank as well.

 

[MynameisMe]

This really only happens to me on my 5 string Carvin set up with single coil jazz style. None of my other basses. I think string selection matters as well as rolling off the treble.
I had a truss rod issue with my 5er and once I got it resolved my tech did a nice set up job. The action has never been lower but the clank was unlivable for me so I gave the neck some relief, which is exactly the opposite of the post directly above me. It is much better. I think it is the product of this particular bass.
Also sitting too close to the amp sometimes accentuates it for me. If I set about 8 ft away when I play it partially goes away. I HATE the clanking. I'm with you.

 

[lz4005]

... and also to get the timing between fretting and plucking more in sync?

It's 100% that. A very common beginner issue. So you're not alone.

You should be fretting and plucking almost simultaneously. Otherwise you're doing a hammer-on and then plucking shortly afterwards.

Do not under any circumstances mask the problem with different strings or filters or EQ. That will only make it more difficult to fix it by improving your technique.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Hi, I often struggle with some clanky noises when coming from an "open" (nothing fretted yet) string to fretting a note higher up the neck (say above the 7th fret). Pushing the string from its natural position down to the frets this high up often causes a clanky noise (but also a note; a bit like when tapping I guess). Is there a way/technique to reduce this?

The action on this bass is about 3 mm. I guess lowering the action could help with this. But, what else? Is it purely training your fingers to come down gradually (yet fast), and also to get the timing between fretting and plucking more in sync?

I hope my descriptions make some sense and that you have some pointers for me!? Thanks!

Lots of practice will help. Your left hand technique must be aggressive. Work on not holding your fingers ver high above the strings. You don’t need to be doing hammer-o s.

 

[JW56789]

No gadget or strings will fix this, and any action problems seem to have been relieved both by a professional setup and your subsequent tweaking. You will have to fix . . . . . your hands.

And it happens to all of us: When I got my first Alembic, I lived to prove that the electronics / pickups are surgically, recording studio clean and completely unforgiving. . . . . so here I am with one of the greatest basses in the world, and now I've got a Bad Case of the Clanks. And I'd played for almost 25 years, and it had not occurred much after my beginner's blisters went away. To make it even more aggravating, I sounded smooth as Crown Royal on my three Yamahas. Geez . . . .

So I worked on my left hand position, and I too had gotten where my right hand occasionally at times ran ahead of my left. Tightened that up, and I'm now a Bad Clank Survivor.

You will be too !

 

[Steven Ayres]

This is why I moved to tapewound strings on all my fretted basses over 25 years ago.

 

[Cut the middle]

Hi, I often struggle with some clanky noises when coming from an "open" (nothing fretted yet) string to fretting a note higher up the neck (say above the 7th fret). Pushing the string from its natural position down to the frets this high up often causes a clanky noise (but also a note; a bit like when tapping I guess). Is there a way/technique to reduce this?

The action on this bass is about 3 mm. I guess lowering the action could help with this. But, what else? Is it purely training your fingers to come down gradually (yet fast), and also to get the timing between fretting and plucking more in sync?

I hope my descriptions make some sense and that you have some pointers for me!? Thanks!

I love hearing a little clank, zip, zing, click in funk bass.

I love hearing it on acoustic guitar too.