Strings to reduce fret sound?

[domportera]

My bass is plagued with the constant sound of the strings hitting the fret, and it's not tasteful like some amounts of fret clatter is, it's downright annoying and just sounds bad. Are there any types of strings, (I have roundwound Ernie Ball Slinkies, which I bet aren't helping the cause), that will help me here? Will flatwounds reduce fret noise? What about heavier strings?

EDIT: It's my lows that have the fret noise problem, my highs are generally generally good. (i have a 6 string, 3 highs are fine, E and B are bad, A is eh)

No I'm not talking about fret buzz, that's not too much of an issue, besides low frets on the B string, but I just need a higher gauge string, maybe .145 for it.

I'll try a lighter touch, but when I fret lighter I can sometimes get some buzz. And with picking I'll try a lighter touch too, which I have, and I generally get the sound anyway, just lower. Would lowering my action help? Specifically for the B and E strings. I just get way too much fret sound out of those.
Also, not gonna lie, I have no idea how to adjust my saddles, they're sliding ones and I don't have an alan wrench.

 

[cataract]

Might want to try cutting some of your highs.

 

[zeroncali]

You could raise your action or develop a lighter touch. I like my action low but I had to learn some self control as to how hard I attack the strings to get rid of the horrible clack sound. Don't get me wrong, that sound has its place but it doesn't work all the time.

 

[vivifiction]

To verify, you're talking about a clank when you fret, not a buzz when you're holding a note, correct?

Flats won't necessarily cut out the noise but the sound will be less obnoxious. I'd try both pieces of advice before mine. Maybe lowering the P'up on the low-end side would help? Not sure.
Anyways, different strings wouldn't hurt. I got Ernie Ball's once and hated them... I noticed a bit more fret noise with them, but not to a problematic degree. For rounds I personally prefer d'addario for nickel or rotosound for steel.

 

[jcalo]

Maybe try lowering the pickup a bit. I had a similar problem on my precision a few years back and took it to a technician who had me play to demonstate the sound of the clank. He diagnosed it immediately and I've not had a problem since.

 

[chokeslam512]

Also try plucking a bit more parallel to the body. I had this problem big time and it was because I was plucking at an angle.

 

[Buxtehude]

Also try plucking a bit more parallel to the body. I had this problem big time and it was because I was plucking at an angle.

Me too in my beginner days. With good parallel plucking I now have really light gauge strings and low action on a bass that plays and records like a dream. If you are pushing down too much with the pluck, the fret noise will appear.

 

[4-string]

Not trying to be a jerk, but setup and technique go a long, long way.

 

[LuckyBassPlayer]

I think rubber strings will eliminate your problem

 

[domportera]

heh, thanks guys. I got my truss rod realigned, and it worked wonders. Now I'm also playing a little less aggressively and it reduces fret noise even further

 

[pedroims]

set up, technique and black beauties.