string to fret clacking

[Talkinbout]

When I use the tweeters and treble to get a brighter sound/clarity, there is a clacking or pinging kind of sound when I press the string down on the fret. In other words, you can hear the string when it touches the fret.

Consequently, I never use the tweeters in my cabs since they seem to bring this out more than anything else. Does anybody else have this problem? I don't think I play any heavier than anyone else. Sometimes I play with a heavy hit on the string and sometimes I dance lightly on them depending on what's needed but it doesn't seem to make a difference. When reading about how others set up their rigs I've read many saying they leave the tweeters off.

Anybody have any ideas as to how to get brightness without the sound of the string hitting the fret?

 

[wild4oldcars]

you mean when you fret with your fretting hand, or when you hit the string with your plucking hand? also, do you tend to pull the string toward your face when playing, or push it towards the bass body and pickups?

 

[KJung]

Get ye to the woodshed There is absolutely no reason that can't be controlled with decent technique.

That being said, if you really don't like a lot of treble response, turn down the tweeter a bit, and consider nickel roundwounds.

However, that doesn't excuse the technique issue. Practice, practice, and practice some more. A good thing to do is take just one lesson from a good local bassist, with the express purpose of having him or her evaluate your physical technique. That can be the best hour spent as a bassist. I did that at least once a year for decades to just get a 'second opinion' and some ideas for ways to improve my playing.

 

[bigmoosepi]

tweeters don't belong in a bass cab, but that's a whole other argument.

 

[Munjibunga]

When you add treble, you get more string noise.

 

[KJung]

tweeters don't belong in a bass cab, but that's a whole other argument.

That belief always makes me a bit tired. Lots of different tonal choices, and choosing a full range cab (or not) is as legitimate as anything else. Some seem to have the idea that a tweeter 'takes bass away'. It does not.

 

[Margus Alviste]

Use less power!

 

[MCS4]

I keep my tweeters off if I'm playing rock/metal to reduce fret noise from more aggressive playing, particularly since I EQ relatively brightly anyway. Frankly I've never noticed much benefit from tweeters anyway, other than maybe in quiet, solo-bass type settings.

 

[MVE]

Assuming you are talking about plucking not fingering.
You can do two things:

Adjust your plucking technique until the string does not make the noise. (then practice like hell - If you get discouraged, remember Tiger Woods was able to change his swing because it made his knee sore. He didn't win any tournaments for like 4 years, but now he can finally win with his new swing. - I don't like TW or anything, infact I think he is kind or a d#&CHE, but his determination and ability to adjust does inspire me a little bit.)

or

Adjust your neck for higher action (you can adjust the truss for more relief, the bridge for higher action, or you can shim the neck.)

 

[wild4oldcars]

forgive me if this is a dumb question, but wouldn't a neck shim lower the action?

 

[MVE]

forgive me if this is a dumb question, but wouldn't a neck shim lower the action?

You can adjust the angle of the neck, or more accurately, the angle of the string in relation to the neck between the nut and the bridge.

 

[wild4oldcars]

sorry, thought about it a minute, and completely understand now. my bad

 

[bigmoosepi]

That belief always makes me a bit tired. Lots of different tonal choices, and choosing a full range cab (or not) is as legitimate as anything else. Some seem to have the idea that a tweeter 'takes bass away'. It does not.

it doesn't take bass away, it just adds treble. which sounds bad.

 

[GK Growl]

I keep my tweeters off if I'm playing rock/metal to reduce fret noise from more aggressive playing, particularly since I EQ relatively brightly anyway.

+1. Also OP, are you having these issues in full band setting as well? A lot of the snarl and growl in my tone helps to cut through in my loud rock band but soloed can sound quite obnoxious.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

it doesn't take bass away, it just adds treble. which sounds bad.

It adds treble in a different way, i find i would much rather turn down the treble/upper mids on a speaker and add the treble i want from a tweeter. Its a frequency thing that may add up to the same but the definition is better, it allows the speaker to deal with the lower frequencies more efficiently and allows the tweeter to deal with the higher frequencies. If adding more tweeter take of more treble to compensate the use.

 

[EricMordus]

This is why I like the Fender Rumble, on/off switch for the horn, I leave it off

 

[Talkinbout]

you mean when you fret with your fretting hand, or when you hit the string with your plucking hand? also, do you tend to pull the string toward your face when playing, or push it towards the bass body and pickups?

Both.

 

[Talkinbout]

Get ye to the woodshed There is absolutely no reason that can't be controlled with decent technique.

That being said, if you really don't like a lot of treble response, turn down the tweeter a bit, and consider nickel roundwounds.

However, that doesn't excuse the technique issue. Practice, practice, and practice some more. A good thing to do is take just one lesson from a good local bassist, with the express purpose of having him or her evaluate your physical technique. That can be the best hour spent as a bassist. I did that at least once a year for decades to just get a 'second opinion' and some ideas for ways to improve my playing.

I'm using DR Hi-Beam stainless steel, round core strings 45-105 gauge. I'll give nickle round roundwounds a try. Thanks.

As far as practice, practice, practice goes, I've been practicing for over 42 years. Like I said, depending on the material being played I sometimes hit the strings hard and sometimes dance lightly on them. It doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

[awilkie84]

That belief always makes me a bit tired. Lots of different tonal choices, and choosing a full range cab (or not) is as legitimate as anything else. Some seem to have the idea that a tweeter 'takes bass away'. It does not.

I have an adjustable tweeter in mine for controlling how much treble I let through. There are also many players who run a secondary signal chain specifically to tweeters to enhance their top end.

 

[Talkinbout]

Thanks for your answers. Some good ideas I'll try, some others I've already tried.