Live clacking sound?

[VABassman3255]

Hey, I use a 51 re issue Fender Tele bass.
Gallien Krueger 700 RB Mark II head w/ a double ported Eden " I also go through the p.a.
Just recently playing live I started getting a metallic clacking type noise like reverberation from strings bouncing off of p.u.
Cut back tone on bass and lowered pu and adjusted bridge. Same noise.
After first set changed bass completely ,same noise.
Horn in cabinet going bad? Direct out on head going bad?

I am not using a mic for the sound out,using a direct out by the head.
I have gone through the pa normally ,never had this sound before.
As far as technique I do play pretty hard ,but I am getting this from lighter touch also.

Help ,need to get straightened out, we're in season and playing every weekend.

Thanks
VABassman3255

 

[will33]

Need process of elimination. Assuming it's not technique/fret clack, can start by pulling the bulb fuse off the crossover, essentially taking the tweeter out of the circuit and play again. Tweeters may sound distorted if the coil is kind of "halfway burned", but really, they don't induce noise, just reproduce what they're given, meaning the noise is coming from upstream.

Another possibility may be a blown woofer that is just flopping around in sympathy with the working ones and you're hearing it slap the grill or bottoming out, "clacking" into the back of the magnet.

 

[will33]

Also try just running the dry, pre-eq DI with the amp/cab not playing. If you're hearing it the PA as well, it's coming from the bass/technique.

 

[Downunderwonder]

What was the signal chain? Mic or DI? Whose gear?

As far as I can tell you got as far as troubleshooting the bass, that leaves a lot to go through. From the sound of it something is broken, like Will suggested, or could just be you being an animal with the instrument.

Usual troubleshooting involves replacing items or listening in further and further up the chain until you find where the noise goes away / starts.

 

[TimmyP]

Finger player? A lot of players don't pluck sideways, but press the strings down a lot, and they hit the pickups.