• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Musicman Pickup "smacking"

T

TheRythmDoctor

Jun 10, 2011
14
0
#1
Hi all,

I love my limited edition musicman sterling. I play using fingerstyle and slap only. my problem is the position of my right hand that feels most natural and sounds best is usually directly over the pickup.
When I play fingerstyle my fingers often follow through off the strings and "tap" or "smack" the pickup. However lightly I play, it still often happens or when I make a concious effort to play closer to the neck away from the pup I find my hand slips back naturally closer to the pickup. The pickups are not set paticulary high just a very slight raise over the D & G strings.

Has anyone else encountered this problem???
 
#3
Yep, my tips make contact with the pickup and use it like a ramp, it stops you digging in too much with the right hand, like a feeler gauge to stop your fingers over-traveling and recovering quicker for the next pluck. The Bottom of the E string is about 3-3.5 millimeters from the surface of the pick-up. Look up 'ramps', it's that principle.
 
#4
How low do you wear your bass? If it's too low it will put your had (wrist) in a possition that will cause you to strike down on the strings. You could try to raise it up. It will cause you to rotate more allowing you to pluck up towards the next string up vs. strike down on the string. I used to have the same issue and couldn't do any recording becuase of it. I tried this trick and it helped a lot.

Good luck.
 
#6
My fingers do make contact with the top of the pick-up as in my previous post but more like brushing them I should add, if your 'smacking' them, I think you might be hitting it a bit too heavily, try lightening up your right hand technique.

That Stevie Wonder run has been tabbed btw ; )
 
#7
Honestly...it might be very helpfull to watch some tutorials on right hand technique.I invested some serious time and effort into my right hand technique a couple years ago, and you just can't imagine the positive effect this can have on your playing! Your fingers are not supposed to travel byond the string thus slapping the pick-up. In true Bass-Whisperer fashion, the rehabilitation sounds like it needs to take place on the bass owners right hand...not the bass :)
 
#8
faulknersj said:
Honestly...it might be very helpfull to watch some tutorials on right hand technique.I invested some serious time and effort into my right hand technique a couple years ago, and you just can't imagine the positive effect this can have on your playing! Your fingers are not supposed to travel byond the string thus slapping the pick-up. In true Bass-Whisperer fashion, the rehabilitation sounds like it needs to take place on the bass owners right hand...not the bass :)
Click to expand...

Your fingers don't make any contact with the pick-up at all? Just asking ; )
 
#10
Skitch it! said:
Yep, my tips make contact with the pickup and use it like a ramp, it stops you digging in too much with the right hand, like a feeler gauge to stop your fingers over-traveling and recovering quicker for the next pluck. The Bottom of the E string is about 3-3.5 millimeters from the surface of the pick-up. Look up 'ramps', it's that principle.
Click to expand...



Just checked the spacing of my E string the pu and its exactly 3.5mm, I like the idea of "ramps", maybe ive been using this principle all along just didnt kno it...
 
#11
Thanks guys for all the info and input, Ive been playing a Marcus Miller for too long I think, my usual hand position on it been directly behind the plate resting on the bridge PU, (comfy spot) just cant seem to find the same svveet spot on the Musicman,

As regards the "smacking" I think Im just gonna have to try play lighter, the level of pressure I applied to the strings vvas never an issue before.
 
#12
faulknersj said:
No...they don't at all, not even close. Actually...I have never had that issue. Is finger smacking against pickups a common thing with players? I've never heard of it.
Click to expand...

Not smacking them exactly, the Gary Willis ramp approach, using them to stop your fingers over-travelling for better recovery, why some/a lot of bassists gravitate to playing over the pickup for the feel of that.
 
#13
When I play my Sterling..I often anchor on the back of the pickup (on th bridge side) and play between the pickup and the bridge. I do, however use a floating thumb technique (play without the need to 'anchor' the thumb) in order to get different tones for different tunes. Maybe that spot will work well for you if you play that position enough to get comfortable with it.
 
#14
faulknersj said:
No...they don't at all, not even close. Actually...I have never had that issue. Is finger smacking against pickups a common thing with players? I've never heard of it.
Click to expand...

Obviously my right hand plays closer to the neck or bridge depending on the song but for argument sake say my default position is directly over the PU. The tips of my fingers make contact vvith the PU vvith each pluck on each string, ive never had this problem vvith any other bass,

So, the tips of your fingers never ever touch the PU on your musicman? is the PU set very lovv?
 
#15
My pickup is actually quite close to the strings...although it is lower on the E-string side, and closer to the strings on the G-String side. Have you tried lowering the pickup? That could also help. It takes time to get used to a new bass...which could also be part of it. How would you describe the motion of you right hand..specifically your index and middle fingers when you play?
 
#17
faulknersj said:
No...they don't at all, not even close. Actually...I have never had that issue. Is finger smacking against pickups a common thing with players? I've never heard of it.
Click to expand...

faulknersj said:
My pickup is actually quite close to the strings...although it is lower on the E-string side, and closer to the strings on the G-String side. Have you tried lowering the pickup? That could also help. It takes time to get used to a new bass...which could also be part of it. How would you describe the motion of you right hand..specifically your index and middle fingers when you play?
Click to expand...

Good idea, Im gonna drop the height a little, see if that helps. Im actually pretty happy vvith my right hand tech .. Play the bass up pretty high and playing fingerstyle for years, it never seemed to be a problem before.
 
#19
faulknersj said:
No...they don't at all, not even close. Actually...I have never had that issue. Is finger smacking against pickups a common thing with players? I've never heard of it.
Click to expand...

I used to have this issue (on a mm bass) until I refined my technique with an instructor. Following through and smacking the pickup is wasted energy. You should force yourself (slowly) to play lighter. Itll increase speed and decrease fatigue.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back