• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

strings slapping on frets

A

afterthoughts

Apr 13, 2006
7
0
#1
Hi ive been playing bass in our band for about 3 months or so and can competently play with my fingers, however i just got my new bass, an ESP b-154, and when i play harder or try to jump around the strings slap on the metal frets (not sure if this is the correct term) making an irritating clanging noise. does anyone else have these problems and is there anything i can do to increase the basses tollerance to harder playing (like a thickker string that i can tighten more, just guessing here) or is it simply that this bass isnt right for me?
thanks
 
#2
This seems to have more to do with technique than with your equipment. I had this problem as well, especially when I started out. I sometimes still find I'm playing too hard, using way too much strength. Try and practice playing with a softer attack. Turn your amp up if you feel you need to. You will allow yourself to play cleaner and longer. Once you have mastered playing softer you will find it also becomes easier to gain speed.

It's probably not the bass, but you might want to get it checked out and get the action adjusted. By all means, change the strings if you don't like the way they play and sound. That is a personal choice. Still, I would work try and clean up your technique before changing the strings.

Cheers,
Geert
 
#3
Hi,
thanks very much for your reply,
i generally do play gentler but when we are performing when i move aroudn and stuff i cant help but play harder, as a guitarist would strum larger etc. its just a bad habbit i suppose.
also i am unsure as to what you mean by getting the action adjusted?,
thanks again
 
#11
In addition to the previously mentioned action issue, you can also work on improving your technique. Pluck the strings with a motion that gets them vibrating as close to parallel with the body as you can. Especially when you are really digging in, you may be attacking the string with a motion that causes the string to vibrate perpendicular to the body and smacking the frets. Proper instrument setup and practice of correct techniques will lead to clean playing.
 
#14
Try cutting the treble and mids a little,cut the tone pot on the bass,helps a lot,but again try working with the technique its the most important and thats what I'm doing at the moment!

But in a way that noise can be useful sometimes,like when havin' a gig if you are not heared clank it up.You are playing metal and that clank is ok for metal.Last month I watched a competition,sth. like the battle of the bands where the equipment was so poor so bass was not heared well but a couple of guys played with that "clank" and my friend said "What a bass sound,wow".
You can hear this clank in Steve Harris' sound too.
 
#15
how are your right fingers playing the strings? My guess is you did the way i did, which is to pluck in a curved way with your fingertips, slightly bringing the string upward. If thats so, practice leaving your fingers straight, keep your thumb on the pickup closest to the fretboard, and push the E string with your index finger towards your thumb. Play the other strings with your thumb sitting gently on the E string. It's hard at first, but keep at it and you'll get the hang of it. Playin g this way solved ALOT of problems for me. Been playing for 8 months, had my first lesson yesterday with a really good bassist (he plays with Natalia M King if anyone knows her) and lessons are necessary for bass. Learning alone will have you get used to playing in the way you're most comfortable with, and when you get better you'll have trouble playing alot of complex stuff, especially fast stuff. If you have the same problem I had, try this and it should solve the problem.
 
#16
Could also be strings, or the nature of your new bass.

I had a schecter that I returned. Was great for pop slap. ver bright. But because of the way it was set up and the heavy loose coiled strings, even if I played slowly and very deliberately it still clanked. wasn't the action as it was nice but not too low.

the clank is not really something you want if you are going to be playing a lot of different covers that don't call for it, and the loose coiled strings made the tone deeper and harder to sing to, so it went back. Wish I could have kept it though, very nice tone.

Thicker strings and looser coiled strings clank more.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back