Hi. This is probably a stupid question, but I've never bought a brand new bass before and I'm trying to understand if there's a problem or if its just "newness". When I hold a note on the E string, if my finger moves the string at all it really grates loudly against the fingerboard. I've tried the same thing on my old bass and sure, there's a slight rubbing noise but nothing like this. Don't know if its the newness of the strings, or the fingerboard, or if there's something I need to get a luthier to have a look at. I'm aware that the first thing to sort is hold the note steady in the first place. Any advice gratefully received!
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Double Bass New bass/new strings - E grates on fingerboard
- Thread starter RockinBones
- Start date
If it is only at certain points of the fingerboard, the fingerboard is not plain enough. Let a luthier correct this.
If this is a general behaviour it could be a characteristic of the string (i.e. Spirocore or Helicore) which is normal. This is also called growling of the string.
It could also be that you do not press the string enough against the fingerboard (maybe because this string has more tension than you are used to). Then the string will loose contact with the fingerboard when the force is upwards (reflection of the wave at the fingered end) and buzz or growl.
If this is a general behaviour it could be a characteristic of the string (i.e. Spirocore or Helicore) which is normal. This is also called growling of the string.
It could also be that you do not press the string enough against the fingerboard (maybe because this string has more tension than you are used to). Then the string will loose contact with the fingerboard when the force is upwards (reflection of the wave at the fingered end) and buzz or growl.
There could be a number of reasons for this, many of which could be easily rectified with a good set-up. As mentioned above, you may not be depressing the string enough against the fingerboard. Often, a nut that is too high will require excessive force to depress the string. If your bass is newer, it may need a fine tuning. Take into a luthier and have them give it a good look-over.
