My E string and my frets have a fight every time I play.

[Noctum]

Okay, I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty new to playing bass. I only have 6 months under my belt and I have no idea how to fix the problems I have. My E string hits my frets when I play any note that isn't the open string. I haven't tried using a pick yet, so I'm not sure if its my technique (which I have tried changing it to no avail), or maybe because my hands aren't strong enough yet, but I assumed someone might be able to help me figure out how I can fix it. I bought my bass over ebay and its an Ibanez ATK 300.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Elsie8687]

Sounds like you need a good setup. I would recommend you take the bass to a local luthier and pay a few bucks for a setup. And while you're at it, ask him/her to show you the basics of the process. Another option is to go to the Hardware, Setup, and Repair section of this forum where you will find instructions on how to set up your gear.....but I think it's best to have someone who knows what they are doing walk you through it the first time. Your call. Here's the link to HS&R forum section:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/all-basic-setup-questions-answered-here-125382/

 

[soulman969]

I would take the above advice and get the bass setup for your playing style. It's something you should learn to do yourself but maybe you'll want a pro to do it first time around if it's badly out of whack.

Even with that you may still experience some string noise when you fret. Where you fret can help some but a metal string is coming into contact with a metal fret and some sound will usually result. At higher playing volumes it won't be nocticeable.

Get a setup done and then check your fretting technique and see where you're at when you get to that point.

 

[trowaclown]

Yeah I second the above opinions. It's good to take a bass to a pro for the first time you're setting up so that things such as nut grooves for the individual strings can be set properly. These are areas that a beginner without the proper tools would have trouble getting right.

The part about setting it to your playing style is important tool. It best be done with a new pack of your preferred strings, with the tech knowing how heavy your touch is when playing. After all, to generalise higher tension strings are more forgiving of lower action and lighter touch when plucking is more forgiving of lower action as well.

 

[whitefuneral]

I again say take it to a professional but your guitar might just need a raised bridge?

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Is it hitting the frets only when you press down the string and not plucking it?

or only when you are plucking it?

if when plucking, you should be plucking in a direction along the fingerboard rather than down towards it.