Strange tone

[Titovonb24]

So I'm playing through a bass riff I made, and I just noticed something strange. I'm playing unplugged, which I dont do often so I'm not sure how long this problem has been here, but when I hammer on the 12th fret of the A string, it produces the A note but then an A# note rings out beneath it. If I hold it down then pluck it, it sounds fine, but only if i hammer on does it make the strange noise. Does anyone know what this could be? I'd be embarassed if it's a tuning issue, but I want to make sure it isn't something major wrong with the fretboard or something.

 

[Turnaround]

It's the string vibrating behind where you're fretting - i.e. the section of the string between the nut and the fretted position. The note produced there is A#. Just damp it.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Fret the 12th fret. Pluck over the pickup. Now pluck over the 5th fret.

It should all make sense.

 

[Titovonb24]

Yeah thats the sound it makes, but what does it mean/what do i do to fix it?

 

[superbassman2000]

it's physics...you could dampen the string with a hairtie at the nut if you need to

 

[Titovonb24]

My friend/guitarist just said that it only happens on unplugged solid body instruments...is this true?

 

[ehque]

You're only hearing it on a unplugged because both sounds are the same volume. On an acoustic instrument or a plugged in electric, the A would be amplified, and far, far, far louder than the A#.

The way to "fix" it is to play plugged in. Do you play unplugged at rehearsal or at a gig?

 

[superbassman2000]

it can happen with any stringed instrument. you are just causing the string to vibrate on both sides of your finger

 

[Titovonb24]

Ok thanks for the responses...Feel like a total moron, but I've never heard it before so I was worried about my baby. I only play unplugged sometimes when practicing, so I'll be ok. Thanks everyone