String Hissing

[alexlocurto]

(I did search, but I found no answers. It's all I can do just to pose the question again.)

The strings on my MTD Kingston Heir hiss terribly. The action is fairly high, so it's not fret buzz, and it even happens when I play open notes. It's hitting on every fret from the first to the twenty first, the highest three seem to be unaffected for now. It also can't be the strings themselves, because I have replaced two single strings, while keeping the rest of the original set. When I bought the bass, this didn't even happen. About five months after I first got it, there was a slight hiss coming from the D, but I didn't really think much about it.

 

[soflbass]

Your post is confusing. What do you mean by hiss? Hiss through amplified signal? String buzz? Have you done a full setup on the bass? See link for guidance: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125382
Just because your action is high doesn't mean you can't get fret buzz. Provide more detail and pics if possible.

 

[alexlocurto]

It's a bit of an odd problem. It's not amplified, I get it when I play unplugged. It sounds like there's sand in the string, almost. It's really weird...

 

[soflbass]

I would try measuring your relief etc from the setup guides. It sounds like the strings may be rubbing against something. Maybe the neck is back bowed and as you fret, the strings rub on the upper frets? Check the setup first.

 

[20db pad]

Might be loose hardware somewhere on the bass too. Likely culprits are the tuning machines, bridge parts, and strap pins. Make sure all the screws on the bass are tight and any springs in the bridge (if there are any) are not vibrating.

 

[202dy]

If it doesn't do it through the amp, it doesn't do it.

 

[alexlocurto]

If it doesn't do it through the amp, it doesn't do it.

Normally, I'd agree with you, but it's really annoying....

 

[202dy]

Normally, I'd agree with you, but it's really annoying....

Your annoyance changes nothing. The guitar is only one half of the instrument.

How old are the strings?

 

[ShonenCello]

Some new strings have done this (if I'm getting you right) to me.

It goes away eventually.

 

[soflbass]

I would advise you to take it to a quality local bass guitar tech who can diagnose the issue. What you're describing doesn't seem to lend itself to proper interpretation.

 

[fretlessman71]

A common culprit is one of the springs surrounding the screw that holds your saddles in place. Have a friend try to "dampen" the springs while you play normally and see if that's where the issue is. Easy thing to rule out.