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Jazz Bass noise?

J

jwk1151

Jun 3, 2010
33
0
Maryland
#1
I posted something related to this is technique to see if that was the issue, but havent gotten a reply >.<(yes im impatient ;))

I recently got a MIA Jazz bass, and i really like it, (after all, i did drop 1250 on it;))
But it has alot of fret and string noise that i didnt notice on my P-Bass, which is not so good for recording purposes...
Is this something that i should just deal with for the sake of the Jazz Bass sound? or is there something that i should fix? it's strung with new earnie ball power slinkies, should i just wait to break them in?

I really like the bass, but this noise is kinda discouraging me from playing it... is it normal?
it goes away when i turn the tone and bridge all the way down, but then i'd be better off using my precision, and i dont like that tone for some songs...
 
#2
Some of the fret/string noise may be due to the setup on the Jazz, and some of it may be due to the new strings, if you're more used to the sound of strings that are "broken in". The "Jazz Bass sound", in and of itself, shouldn't have any more fret/string noise than the "P-Bass sound", if the setup is the same and the strings are the same age and type.

Mike
 
#4
countrybass007 said:
I've noticed the basses that I have set up with very low action, my '51 P-bass for instance, produces more fret and string noise. The ones with higher action, like my Lakland Duck Dunn, has little or none. I would try raising the action just a bit and see if that doesn't solve the problem. Also, my basses strung with flatwounds have no fret or string noise.
Click to expand...

Couldn't you accomplish the same thing, but still have low action if you just lowered the pickups a little?
 
#5
Ok, that might be it (action and breaking in) My p-bass is really old (1997, and one string change ^^ not my best idea, but havent gotten around to it yet) and it has pretty high action for church playing, so if i raised the action, would it help get rid of noise so i can record? like, when i fret a note in a riff fast, it makes a clangy noise, and if i pull off and try to go to the next note, sometimes it squeaks O.o higher action and just waiting to break the strings in would fix this? idk if its technique, coz i have no prob with the P- bass or the Grind

Edit: id like to know that too, lower pickups??

EDIT 2: Yes, the P bass isnt very old in the general census, but it is too me ^^ and thats all the matters to me :D
 
#9
jwk1151 said:
Ok, that might be it (action and breaking in) My p-bass is really old (1997, and one string change ^^ not my best idea, but havent gotten around to it yet) and it has pretty high action for church playing, so if i raised the action, would it help get rid of noise so i can record? like, when i fret a note in a riff fast, it makes a clangy noise, and if i pull off and try to go to the next note, sometimes it squeaks O.o higher action and just waiting to break the strings in would fix this? idk if its technique, coz i have no prob with the P- bass or the Grind

Edit: id like to know that too, lower pickups??
Click to expand...

If you raised the action, it would help get rid of the fret noise. The squeaks/string noise are due to the new strings, and breaking them in will cause that to go away. Some folks use a spray called "Fast Fret", which gets rid of the squeaks while keeping the "new string" sound. Others speed up the "breaking in" by rubbing a bit of something like lemon oil (or chicken grease :D ) on the strings.

Mike
 
#10
I'll bet your neck needs a bit more relief. If a neck is "too straight" it will buzz like crazy unless you set it up WAY high at the bridge.

If you're not comfortable playing with the truss rod (which is understandable), take it to a tech.
 
#11
I agree with everyone who've called for a general set up. Other than that, you may also need a bit of fret leveling and dressing, if a proper set up job doesn't remedy your problems. Yes, even expensive U.S. made instruments can sometimes leave the factory with a need for the frets needing some attention to detail in this department. Actually it happens far too often.:scowl: I'm not saying that's your issue at the moment. I wish you luck on getting your bass sorted out.
 
#12
Thanks for all the tips, i gave it a bit of relief, and raised the action a bit, and its a lot better ^^, the squeaking is still there just a tad, but i think thats just because the strings are new. I just dialed to tone down a bit, just enough to get rid of the noise but to not too much that i lose that jazz tone ^^. thanks for all the help! i hear a bit of clanking at i fret sometimes, but its not a big deal, i can roll down my tone for those lines :D
 
#14
jwk1151 said:
Ok, that might be it (action and breaking in) My p-bass is really old (1997, and one string change ^^ not my best idea, but havent gotten around to it yet)
Click to expand...

Pardon me, but harharharharhar!!

That's practically a new bass you have there. It's only "old" to someone who is very young - which I gather you must be.

There's nothing wrong with being young - but it does tend to really limit your viewpoint because you have limited life experience.

Time fixes that.

And BTW - the flatwound strings on my 1963 P were put on it in 1972. Yours can go 2 or 3 decades before you have to worry about changing them.

guroove said:
I think it's just the new strings. I used to hate the sound of new strings, and I would leave the same set of strings on for years at a time. I put flatwounds on all my basses now. LaBellas are good if you are used to the tension and response of rounds, but don't like the zingyness and string noise.
Click to expand...

Exactly! If you have rounds, just change to Labella Deep Talkin' flats...and you'll never have to change strings again.
 
#17
When I picked up my new Jazz in 2008, the action was really low and the pickups were set REALLY high. I found that just lowering the pickups to a reasonable height made a major difference in tone.

I should note though, I do like a good amount of fret noise and fresh string sizzle on my tone though.
So you may want to try raising your action a bit as well.
And if you find the powerslinkys too "clacky" I would suggest trying a set of DR low riders instead.
 
#18
jwk1151 said:
My p-bass is really old (1997)
Click to expand...

:eek: :p

jwk1151 said:
when i fret a note in a riff fast, it makes a clangy noise
Click to expand...

The action will affect this, but so will technique. When I started playing a jazz bass, I learned that my right hand technique was pretty sloppy. I was hitting the strings in a downward motion (towards the body) instead of in a horizontal (parallel to the body) motion. I attributed this to the pickup itself - on a P bass, the surface of the pickup serves as a ramp to hide this flaw; on a J bass, there's no such safety net.

jwk1151 said:
and if i pull off and try to go to the next note, sometimes it squeaks.
Click to expand...

Strings, yes. Tone knob, yes. But again, technique will make the difference here. Sliding your fingers along the strings will make noise, even if you are not fretting them. I usually roll my tone way off and open it up as the strings age. I also work to eliminate the source of these noises from my playing.

jwk1151 said:
id like to know that too, lower pickups??
Click to expand...
If the strings hit the pickup poles, yes. You'll know if this is happening, because it will make a loud, dull popping sound.

No pics, no jazz bass.

EDIT: Some guys get great tone from a jazz bass and the "clackiness" is an integral part of their tone. It may be that you end up being on of those guys.
 
#19
Thanks wvbass, i was wondering if i should roll the tone knob all the way down for now ^^

and here is the required pic ^^;;

IMG_0200.jpg
 

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