Let's talk about clack!

[redwood]

Know what I mean? The clacking of strings against the frets.
My strandberg has stainless steel frets, and I seem to get a ton more clack than my Bongo with brass frets. I've tried a few different strings on it so far: NYXL (stock), My go to DR's, High Beams, Fat Beams, and Black Beauties.
I wasn't a huge fan of the tone of the NYXL's, but there was slightly less clack than all the DR's.
My tone is on the aggressive side, so I don't want to go with tapes or flats. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any success lessening clack with a different string choice while still retaining that zing.
Thanks

 

[AEVAREX]

No suggestions for string choice here (sorry), but I've used a parametric EQ to help reduce clack before. Worked quite well and was fairly easy to identify and remove the offending frequency. Boost in the hi mids and then sweep around untill the clack really jumps out at you, then dial down to taste. Works best if you also have control of width so as not to remove any more frequencies than necessary.

 

[BassFalcon]

The answer you don’t want to hear is clean up your technique. Sorry. Perhaps you need to turn your volume knob up and pluck lighter as well. Or raise your action. Those might also help.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Know what I mean? The clacking of strings against the frets.
My strandberg has stainless steel frets, and I seem to get a ton more clack than my Bongo with brass frets. I've tried a few different strings on it so far: NYXL (stock), My go to DR's, High Beams, Fat Beams, and Black Beauties.
I wasn't a huge fan of the tone of the NYXL's, but there was slightly less clack than all the DR's.
My tone is on the aggressive side, so I don't want to go with tapes or flats. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any success lessening clack with a different string choice while still retaining that zing.
Thanks

You mentioned DR strings. Have you tried the Pure Blues? I love everything about them including less clack. I have also found GHS Pressurewounds to be much quieter. Not your true roundwound, but they do come through the mix with some nice crunch.

 

[michael_t]

I've tried a few different strings on it so far: NYXL (stock), My go to DR's, High Beams, Fat Beams, and Black Beauties.
I wasn't a huge fan of the tone of the NYXL's, but there was slightly less clack than all the DR's...

My tone is on the aggressive side... I'm just wondering if anyone has had any success lessening clack with a different string choice while still retaining that zing.

The three DR's mentioned are all round-core SS rounds (except the BBs are coated), meaning they're relatively flexible, while NYXL's are hex-core NPS rounds. It has been my experience that, whenever I'm playing flexible strings, I need to be careful how hard I press them down when fretting. I can control the amount of clack more easily when I'm playing hex-core strings, which tend to be stiffer and more resistant to the fretting action, preventing them from hitting the frets harder than necessary.

You might want to try the SS Lo-Riders, which are the hex-core sibling to Hi Beams/Fat Beams to see their firmness might help you control the amount of clack.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

The three DR's mentioned are all round-core SS rounds (except the BBs are coated), meaning they're relatively flexible, while NYXL's are hex-core NPS rounds. It has been my experience that, whenever I'm playing flexible strings, I need to be careful how hard I press them down when fretting. I can control the amount of clack more easily when I'm playing hex-core strings, which tend to be stiffer and more resistant to the fretting action, preventing them from hitting the frets harder than necessary.

You might want to try the SS Lo-Riders, which are the hex-core sibling to Hi Beams/Fat Beams to see their firmness might help you control the amount of clack.

Very true. I tried the DR Lo-Riders (hex-core) but found them to be much duller sounding than the round core strings.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Let's talk about clack!

Can we include Click? After all, they were brothers (R.I.P. Tom).

 

[eriky4003]

Love Lo Riders and Fat Beams. Maybe hex-core Dunlop Super Brights or Marcus Miller signature Dunlop Super Brights?

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Know what I mean? The clacking of strings against the frets.
My strandberg has stainless steel frets, and I seem to get a ton more clack than my Bongo with brass frets. I've tried a few different strings on it so far: NYXL (stock), My go to DR's, High Beams, Fat Beams, and Black Beauties.
I wasn't a huge fan of the tone of the NYXL's, but there was slightly less clack than all the DR's.
My tone is on the aggressive side, so I don't want to go with tapes or flats. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any success lessening clack with a different string choice while still retaining that zing.
Thanks

Y'know. It could be that your action is set a bit too low for your attack.

 

[Bald-N-Bassy]

Couple things might work in your favor.
- raise your action until it goes away
- higher tension strings to compensate for the lower action and attack.
- turn down your HF driver
- work with your eq to lower whatever freq the the noise is coming in through.

 

[ThomasTronics]

I would second the raise your action and find a hex core string to get more tension. It's the clank more noticeable closer to the nut or when your playing towards the body?
It could be a technique problem too, are you attacking straight down on the string (as i call type-writer technique) or are you over attacking and not getting good clank

 

[s_wood]

Couple of things to consider…for me, part of the sound you are worried about relates to my right hand attack. If you are a fingerstyle player and you want a rounder tone make sure to pull all the way through the string instead of bouncing of it with your fingers (hope that makes sense!). Also, I suggest measuring the action of your basses. Most measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the feet at the 12th fret. I wouldn’t be surprised if the more “clacky” Sandberg has slightly lower action than your Bongo. 1/32” can make a big difference!

 

[Lammchop93]

I use DR High Beams mainly on basses where I want some fret noise. For my smoother sounding basses, I use DR Pure Blues and it works perfectly. They have a little zing at first, but it quickly goes away after a few plays.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Know what I mean? The clacking of strings against the frets.
My strandberg has stainless steel frets, and I seem to get a ton more clack than my Bongo with brass frets. I've tried a few different strings on it so far: NYXL (stock), My go to DR's, High Beams, Fat Beams, and Black Beauties.
I wasn't a huge fan of the tone of the NYXL's, but there was slightly less clack than all the DR's.
My tone is on the aggressive side, so I don't want to go with tapes or flats. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any success lessening clack with a different string choice while still retaining that zing.
Thanks

I’m a firm believer in using a parametric EQ which can mitigate some.

Secondly, technique has a major part of clack. For me clack comes from the plucking finger hitting the string behind the one you are plucking slapping it to the fretboard. It happens when you plucking stroke is more vertical as opposed to horizontal. A little more curve to you plucking fingers will go a long way in eliminating clack.

I’ve been using DR Lo-Riders for years.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I'd re-visit my set-up just to rule out the simple stuff. As far as strings, I'd be leaning towards the DR Nickel Lo-Riders and GHS PressureWounds in that order. Both (...light gauge) are on my radar for my next string sets once I wear out these stupid SuperBrights.

Riis

 

[Egg250]

There are times when I include the "clack" in my sound. Certain songs seem to demand it, in my opinion. What I'm saying is it's all about the technique. If I'm turned down, I'll tend to pluck the strings harder which affects my dexterity and I might pick up a little bit of fret buzz. When I'm turned up I can pluck more lightly and control the clack by changing the angle of attack when plucking the strings.

 

[chadds]

I concur. Clack is an effect to use when you want to accentuate a note or feel. If your bass is set up for you then you should be able dig in or play gently. You can get full clear warm bloom or deep low grind just by changing where and how you use your hands.

This is TB. There is always a gear fix. A teacher or pro looking over your shoulder could identify a touch issue.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Fret clack is my friend. When I want to use it in my sound, I adjust my right hand technique to introduce it. When I do not want it in my sound, I adjust my right hand technique accordingly. It's just another tool in the tone box that can be used as needed. A low setup gives you the option of bringing it forth upon demand. A bit of fine tuning between basses for consistency goes a long way when swapping out instruments.

 

[Dragan]

Know what I mean? The clacking of strings against the frets.
My strandberg has stainless steel frets, and I seem to get a ton more clack than my Bongo with brass frets. I've tried a few different strings on it so far: NYXL (stock), My go to DR's, High Beams, Fat Beams, and Black Beauties.
I wasn't a huge fan of the tone of the NYXL's, but there was slightly less clack than all the DR's.
My tone is on the aggressive side, so I don't want to go with tapes or flats. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any success lessening clack with a different string choice while still retaining that zing.
Thanks

Strandberg? Check that headstock again

 

[Sbassman Scratch]

Clack and Zing. Sounds like a comic strip.

I haven't had an issue with either in years. I use low tension rounds, extremely low action and medium frets (wish more companies would use micro) set low into the board. But I think over time and almost unconsciously I tweaked my technique and didn't think about it till this thread popped up. I suspect my concentration on fretless affected my technique on fretted and may have helped.

I appreciate the comment that some of the better players can incorporate the sound on demand. I'm thinking particularly of Gary Willis who was the first player I noticed used a bit of zing as an accent. Nice if not overdone.