Still chasing that "Play that clankin' music white boy"

[Possum Willy]

Ok, I think I have adjusted this thing (Ibanez Mikro 4 string, fitted with an EMG PJ-HZ setup) to within an inch of it's life, yet when I go bright on tone, I still get the clank. And by bright on the tone I mean anything over half of my tone adjustment.

So I'm thinking I've got the wrong strings on it, originally I had GHS Pressurewounds on it, really clanked, now​

(GHS Brite Flats)​

on it, better but still clanks. I've been researching other strings to see what might work and I've come up with two possibilities, both from Rotosound - JazzBass77 and TruBass88, both offered in short scale.

Opinions?

 

[jallenbass]

Without hearing it my first thought is that you're playing too aggressively. Just a guess though. I have Dunlop nickels on mine and I get no clank. Previously I had Pressurewounds on it and no clank there either.

 

[michael_t]

So I'm thinking I've got the wrong strings on it, originally I had GHS Pressurewounds on it, really clanked, now

(GHS Brite Flats)​

on it, better but still clanks.

Both the Pressurewounds and the Brite Flats are Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) on a hex core. If you want to tame the clank, try the GHS Balanced Nickels (pure nickel rounds on a round core). They do come in "short scale" with 32.75" winding length (ball end to silk).

 

[Possum Willy]

Without hearing it my first thought is that you're playing too aggressively. Just a guess though. I have Dunlop nickels on mine and I get no clank. Previously I had Pressurewounds on it and no clank there either.

No doubt, I do play aggressively, I always have, learned from the best Chris Squire LOL

 

[Possum Willy]

Both the Pressurewounds and the Brite Flats are Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) on a hex core. If you want to tame the clank, try the GHS Balanced Nickels (pure nickel rounds on a round core). They do come in "short scale" with 32.75" winding length (ball end to silk).

I had wondered about that, thanks!

 

[Watchootognbout]

Your plucking hand fingers maybe plucking down instead of laterally along the plane of the strings.

 

[Possum Willy]

I had wondered about that, thanks!

Just noticed the length, that's a medium, mine is very much a short scale at 28.6. I'm afraid those won't work. But thanks!

 

[Possum Willy]

Your plucking hand fingers maybe plucking down instead of laterally along the plane of the strings.

Agreed, I've been watching that, but if anything I tend to pluck up. I have been working on plucking across as I've noticed it helps.

 

[michael_t]

Just noticed the length, that's a medium, mine is very much a short scale at 28.6. I'm afraid those won't work. But thanks!

32.75" is from the ball end to the start of the silk, which is exactly the same length as the short-scale Pressurewounds and Brite Flats, both of which you've already tried.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Ok, I think I have adjusted this thing (Ibanez Mikro 4 string, fitted with an EMG PJ-HZ setup) to within an inch of it's life, yet when I go bright on tone, I still get the clank. And by bright on the tone I mean anything over half of my tone adjustment.

So I'm thinking I've got the wrong strings on it, originally I had GHS Pressurewounds on it, really clanked, now​

(GHS Brite Flats)​

on it, better but still clanks. I've been researching other strings to see what might work and I've come up with two possibilities, both from Rotosound - JazzBass77 and TruBass88, both offered in short scale.

Opinions?

Well, presurewounds click anyway. But, thats funny cause I can't seem to get any real high end out of my kid's mikro. Which is just fine for him anyway. He sounds much better not having all the fret buzz and all that from not really knowing how to play yet.

But, it's the way you play. Not your set up. Lighten up and control yourself. Roll off the strings, not hit them. Different things for different things. Know what I mean?

 

[LBS-bass]

Just raise your action a bit. If you have a heavy hand, you're going to have that problem with a low action. It's fine if you want that as part of your sound, but I'd experiment with truss rod adjustments.

 

[Killing Floor]

Try changing your position, the plucking hand. Slow it down and look at the angle your fingers strike the strings.

Also, carrots are good for your fingernails.

 

[4dog]

lighten up...francis.

 

[Peteyboy]

How close to the neck are you striking? Maybe you wanna bring your point of contact down closer to the bridge.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Check the crowning of the frets as well, because the Mikros have theirs smashed flat in a press.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Spend a few minutes experimenting with a piece of foam or cloth jammed under the strings immediately in front of the bridge. The correct thickness is very much trial and error, but you just might like the results that come out. Worth a few minutes of your time to experiment.

 

[fhm555]

Just raise your action a bit. If you have a heavy hand, you're going to have that problem with a low action. It's fine if you want that as part of your sound, but I'd experiment with truss rod adjustments.

I was thinking lower the pickups. I guess either would accomplish the same thing, more gap between string and pickup.

 

[LBS-bass]

I was thinking lower the pickups. I guess either would accomplish the same thing, more gap between string and pickup.

Depends where the clank is coming from, but yeah. That could do it too.

 

[Toddcaster64]

This is likely a combination of both things, i.e. too close to bridge and improper plucking (up/down instead of lateral). You can get away with one or the other by itself but if you’ve got both going on, there’s just no margin for error and you will have to lighten up significantly.

 

[BobKos]

I have experienced this with the 3 band Stingray Basses and I'm not alone. Just search for clanky Stingray and read on. The advice above will solve your issue. Your problem is threefold. The primary problem is your technique. Sorry but it's true. No doubt you have no problem with other basses and this is the only bass you have problems with. Yes it is your technique. I too play aggressively with my right hand and I experience the same problem. It can be reduced by raising the action or lowering the pickup or both. If those don't work you will need to change your technique or accept that YOU will sound clanky on that particular instrument. It's not the bass or the strings. It's you.