I hate the way my fingerpicking sounds

[WhackJob]

Hello, I've been playing bass for about a year now. I started with a pick, and slowly worked to fingerpicking. I find fingerpicking much more fun, but i really don't like the way it sounds, especially on the E string. Everytime I strum i can clearly here the sound of my finger hitting the string. I think it is way to loud and kinda takes away from the sound. I mainly want to know if something like changing strings or adjusting my pickups will do.

I have 2 basses one with passive pu and one with active. Both have the sameish sound.

-Thanks-

 

[tangentmusic]

Sometimes plucking directly over the pickup will give you that sound.
Maybe your finger is actually hitting the PU.
Try playing nearer the neck, for a mellower sound or towards the bridge for brighter tone.
Play away from the PU.
Or slightly lower the E side of the pickup a bit.

Are you using flats or rounds?

 

[peterpalmieri]

Without seeing what you are doing it is hard to say but I'd guess it is more than likely an issue of you needing a teacher or experienced player to take a look and point you in the right direction. If that's not possible maybe posting a video of your right hand technique.

 

[Geekydad]

Are your fingernails trimmed? When I first started playing, I had issues getting consistent tone between my fingers until I trimmed them way down. You may need to trim them more than you think- I basically have no nail hanging past the nail bed on my plucking hand. It gets better, but until you're used to it, just trim them as short as you comfortably can. You won't need to worry about getting dirt under your nails, either, so there's that.

 

[WhackJob]

Sometimes plucking directly over the pickup will give you that sound.
Maybe your finger is actually hitting the PU.
Try playing nearer the neck, for a mellower sound or towards the bridge for brighter tone.
Play away from the PU.
Or slightly lower the E side of the pickup a bit.

Are you using flats or rounds?

I'm using rounds. And yes I normally play right on top of my pickups. Ill have to try playing closer to the neck or bridge like you suggested.

 

[WhackJob]

Are your fingernails trimmed? When I first started playing, I had issues getting consistent tone between my fingers until I trimmed them way down. You may need to trim them more than you think- I basically have no nail hanging past the nail bed on my plucking hand. It gets better, but until you're used to it, just trim them as short as you comfortably can. You won't need to worry about getting dirt under your nails, either, so there's that.

Never thought of that, will definitely start trimming them.

 

[MaxJJK]

When you go in to contact the string, how far away do you start, and do you hit the string from the top or the side?

 

[Liam Wald]

I do not "hit" or "strike" the string with my fingers. I "pluck" the strings. It is more like using the finger to pull some pressure on the string and then the sound occurs when the string is released from the finger. The amount of pressure that you exert on the string before releasing it is variable and determines the percussive nature or attack of the note. Also, experiment with using the sides of your fingers and letting them slide off of the string for smoother sounds in addition to using the end of your finger and letting them "snap" off of the string for more punchy sounding attack. So in short try plucking instead of hitting, tapping, or striking. And, for me, very short finger nails work best to avoid an unwanted "clicky" sound. Also longer nails tend to catch slightly on the string and slow you down.

 

[MaxJJK]

I do not "hit" or "strike" the string with my fingers. I "pluck" the strings. It is more like using the finger to pull some pressure on the string and then the sound occurs when the string is released from the finger. The amount of pressure that you exert on the string before releasing it is variable and determines the percussive nature or attack of the note. Also, experiment with using the sides of your fingers and letting them slide off of the string for smoother sounds in addition to using the end of your finger and letting them "snap" off of the string for more punchy sounding attack. So in short try plucking instead of hitting, tapping, or striking. And, for me, very short finger nails work best to avoid an unwanted "clicky" sound. Also longer nails tend to catch slightly on the string and slow you down.

That's it.

 

[awilkie84]

Hello, I've been playing bass for about a year now. I started with a pick, and slowly worked to fingerpicking. I find fingerpicking much more fun, but i really don't like the way it sounds, especially on the E string. Everytime I strum i can clearly here the sound of my finger hitting the string. I think it is way to loud and kinda takes away from the sound. I mainly want to know if something like changing strings or adjusting my pickups will do.

I have 2 basses one with passive pu and one with active. Both have the sameish sound.

-Thanks-

I have that percussive finger motion, too...so did John Entwistle. I really wish I could get that slightly muted & compressed tone that people who properly pluck get.

 

[mambo4]

Everytime I strum i can clearly here the sound of my finger hitting the string.... I mainly want to know if something like changing strings or adjusting my pickups will do.

No, changing you strings or pickups will not help.
If you bite on a fork so hard it hurts your teeth, do you look for a different fork, or try to bite less hard?
The problem is your technique, not your gear.
Turn up and practice a lighter, more even touch.

 

[Clemburger]

I also had similar issues until recently. I began playing bass by learning material from early Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, so naturally I developed a very percussive finger picking sound. To change it I've found that the easiest thing to do was to simply turn up my amplifier and pick far lighter (i.e. let the amplifier do the work.) With that said, I've grown to love my percussive fingerpicking sound and it has influenced how and what I write.