New to bass. Need some advice

[TRex1284]

Hey guys! Been a drummer for many years. Recently bought a an ibanez bass to learn. Having a blast on it but just have a quick question...

I have been trying to find an action I like. I prefer it very low and I always hear about low action and fret buzz.

When I lower mine I don't get fret buzz but that metal clank sound. Is this something I should avoid? Again I know very little about bass. Not sure if this us more my technique then anything else.

 

[Gully Foyle]

If your pluck is perpendicular to the neck you drive them against the frets, giving, in my mind, a useful percussibe clank. If your pluck is parallel to the neck, across the string, you get a non-clanky smooth tone. Fool around with the right hand technique, lots of useful variations

 

[hrodbert696]

Whether clank is acceptable or not depends entirely on what you want to sound like. If you like John Entwistle, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, or Billy Sheehan - clank away. If you like James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, Duck Dunn... don't. Get flats and raise your action.

 

[TRex1284]

Hrodbert that was exactly what I was wondering if there are players that use that type of sound. Just watched a billy Sheehan solo...wow is all I can say.

Also do you guys always keep you thumb anchored in the same spot? I have been anchoring my thumb over the next string up from the one I'm playing until I read that it should stay anchored on the pick up. Again sorry if these are stupid questions.

 

[Gully Foyle]

Some folks anchor on the pickup, some anchor on just the e, some float to the string above the playing string, some play thumb, some use a pick. Whatever works. I do all of the above depending on tone needs, or layout of the bass.

 

[TheAnalogKid]

Hrodbert that was exactly what I was wondering if there are players that use that type of sound. Just watched a billy Sheehan solo...wow is all I can say.

Also do you guys always keep you thumb anchored in the same spot? I have been anchoring my thumb over the next string up from the one I'm playing until I read that it should stay anchored on the pick up. Again sorry if these are stupid questions.

Not at all-it appears as though you are using a "floating thumb" technique, which I frequently use. Unless playing for rapid-fire attack on the E and A strings for instance, I eschew anchoring the thumb on a pickup. Doing so makes me inadvertently press down on the pup, which ends up pressing it down into its cavity and farther away from the strings. Floating thumb playing is more relaxed, IMO/IME.

Edit: This may be better served in the TECHNIQUE forum. Lots of threads on floating vs. anchored thumb. As usual, there are factions pro/con on either side of that debate.

 

[TRex1284]

Thanks a lot guys. Yeah the floating thumb just feels more relaxing and natural.

 

[scourgeofgod]

Unless I'm playing with my thumb I always keep it anchored, but I'm constantly moving my anchor point depending on what I'm playing at that moment. I'll anchor on the neck, the pickups, the strings, whatever works best or is most comfortable in the moment.

 

[cleary]

Thanks a lot guys. Yeah the floating thumb just feels more relaxing and natural.

There's significant tonal difference playing (for example) the string area above the bridge pickup with the bridge pickup selected, vs playing the area over the neck pickup, with the bridge pickup selected. There's also significant difference in how the strings respond and move in those two positions.

You need to experiment, choose the sound you prefer, and choose the sound that best suits the situation. No one answer is right.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to TalkBass Trex!

What kind of music are you into? That will determine whether clank is desirable or not.

And my thumb floats. Not only is it a more relaxed feel to me but it also helps with muting the strings you are not playing. Neither right nor wrong. Just my preference.

 

[Josh Thatguy]

As long as the "clank" isn't the string slamming down onto the pole pieces of the pickup, you're good to go if you want a bit of clank for flavor. If the string is jackhammering the pickup with your techniques, lower it, or you will have soundmen and recording engineers hating you forever and a day.

 

[TRex1284]

Welcome to TalkBass Trex!

What kind of music are you into? That will determine whether clank is desirable or not.

And my thumb floats. Not only is it a more relaxed feel to me but it also helps with muting the strings you are not playing. Neither right nor wrong. Just my preference.

I'm a big 80s music fan. Motley crue...van halen...ratt. Always loved the hair metal stuff. But that's just my favorite I like CCR the beatles all kinds of stuff.

I'm sure the clank would not be ideal for the 80s genre but being knew to bass I could be wrong. And thank you for the welcome the drums will always be my first love but the bass is a killer instrument and far more challenging then pll think.

 

[TRex1284]

As long as the "clank" isn't the string slamming down onto the pole pieces of the pickup, you're good to go if you want a bit of clank for flavor. If the string is jackhammering the pickup with your techniques, lower it, or you will have soundmen and recording engineers hating you forever and a day.

Yeah its just clanking on the fret.

 

[hrodbert696]

Yeah, lots of discussion of the thumb over in Technique. I'm a floating-thumb guy myself, I used to anchor till I heard about other options. Mostly just that it helps with muting. I think it feel weird to me to anchor now. Speaking of Billy Sheehan, he has this very good, very long video for beginners. I mean beginner beginners, he starts by explaining the parts of the bass. He teaches anchored-thumb in that video, but when you see how he plays - man. He's attacking the strings like it's a boxing match, and the anchored thumb is for leverage. He's great, but you don't have to play that way. I think most people use it just to keep their hand position consistent.

 

[TRex1284]

Just watched that Sheehan video. Lots of great info in there.

When I do anchor it on the pick up I get a little discomfort in the wrist when playing on the A string.

 

[hrodbert696]

Just watched that Sheehan video. Lots of great info in there.

When I do anchor it on the pick up I get a little discomfort in the wrist when playing on the A string.

Probably means you're holding your hand at an awkward angle or straining too hard. Straight and relaxed is the way to go. Find what works for you.

 

[TRex1284]

Probably means you're holding your hand at an awkward angle or straining too hard. Straight and relaxed is the way to go. Find what works for you.

Thank you for all the help man. Really helped out.

 

[drumsnbass]

As a drummer you are used to beating things, as a bassist try to finesse things more. try hard not to 'dig in' and play with a lighter touch instead. It's always easier to dig in, but you can be faster with finesse...

 

[RichardT2112]

There are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of clank you get while playing.

First, as others have suggested try a lighter touch when you pick. You can also move your picking hand closer to the bridge but depending on how far you move it may result in a less then satisfactory tone.

If you have a horn tweeter on your cab try turning it down or even off.

And most importantly, don't think you have to do all the work. If you find yourself digging in harder to be heard, turn the amp up. Let it do the work for you.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[Gully Foyle]

And most importantly, don't think you have to do all the work. If you find yourself digging in harder to be heard, turn the amp up. Let it do the work for you.

+1 to this...i spent a very long time digging in with both hands, paying for it now in hand/wrist pain and the effort to unlearn and relearn technique