Double Bass Sanity check

[Chris Fitzgerald]

This definitely helps. When going from the E to the A string I've been kind of palm muting the string which fixes it. I've been doing the Zimmerman book on the E and A strings, 1 - 1, 2 - 2, 4 - 4, slow. It's definitely an unorthodox approach but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. It won't be too long until my seasonal trip to my luthier so I will see what he says. Since this is a new bass and new fingerboard I think it will take a little bit to get it all dialed in. I think my preference for high action and low tension strings requires more scoop than the usual "modern" jazz set-up. This is definitely an issue that would only be noticeable in a studio.

The other thing I work on with my students is a slight overlap of sound on string crossings. In other words, don't release the first note until a microsecond after the next one starts to sound. It's not enough to be a true double stop and won't blur anything, but it does add to the sense of "articulated legato" in pizz playing and also tends to cover up the "clack" that sometimes happens when lifting the finger on a lower string.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Yes, this is the only sure way to do it. So it's not usually a problem, except sometimes when crossing from the E up to the D or G if I don't pay close attention. Going from E to A, my plucking finger generally will mute the E string after I strike through the A, so that's less of an issue.

Very carefully.

This bass in general has a lot of finger noise in addition to the clank, which makes it a bit of a pain in the studio. On a gig, it's not really noticeable. It all started when I got a new fingerboard, which seemed to add a lot of high frequency information to the bass. I've gone through a million soundpost, bridge, and fingerboard adjustments at this point...

I know it can be a pain to do but a short video of this would be incredibly helpful to dial in exactly what’s happening.

 

[crd]

I will make a quick video if what I'm talking about before the end of the week. I never turn down the opportunity for bass nerd time. Although, I am starting to think that what I am experiencing is the product of my fancy hybrid strings and or set-up.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I will make a quick video if what I'm talking about before the end of the week. I never turn down the opportunity for bass nerd time. Although, I am starting to think that what I am experiencing is the product of my fancy hybrid strings and or set-up.

Sometimes I think we need a “What’s going on here” category where we make short videos for problem solving…

 

[Don Kasper]

Right On....
We'll need a soundtrack:

 

[crd]

Love it. Here is my first submission to the "what's going on" category. I also included an iPhone video of me playing a Mingus tune because I didn't want to pick up my bass and just make a clanking noise.

Dropbox - Bass-rattle - Simplify your life

 

[Jason Sypher]

Exactly what I imagined. I missed that it was a five string. Seems like a too flat board with low string height.

 

[crd]

Exactly what I imagined. I missed that it was a five string. Seems like a too flat board with low string height.

I will bother my luthier. I keep the action high (like I can fit my pinky under the string high) so I think the fingerboard needs some work.

 

[crd]

Adding some scoop under the E and A strings solved the problem entirely. I hate problems that are solved with money.