The E on my P is Clanky as Heck! Help please....

[gregmon79]

Hey all, heres a little backround on my P for those who arent familiar. I have a '99 Squier P. I have refinished it to natural and replaced the pups for EMG-PAX's and the neck was just replaced not too long ago with a maple board/neck from Mighty Mite. I have never really had any issues with "clickity" noises from this bass. Its always been pretty warm. But I didnt want it warm, hence all the mods.

So after all is said and done, I get a pretty audible clickity noise from my E string when I dig in. Now I have to remind you all that this bass is my first bass of almost 15 years. I havent played it out in a band or live setting mix for years. Mainly because I had issues EQ'ing to my liking. But, recently I have had a lot of success in that area and it has become a definite player for me in a live setting. I noticed it at practice for the first time a couple weeks ago, the clickity. Now, Ive been a finger player since I started. My P has gotten me to adopt a pick for it most times. I love the way a P sounds with a pick But I switched finger style and was like whoa, any amount of finger striking got some crazy clicking happening and I didnt like it. Its almost like the E string was hitting fretboard where the neck meets the body. I just shimmed the neck last weekend too.

I know that this is all a lot of info, but hopefully someone knows what Im talking about. Its mainly the E string is hitting the neck so that Im getting a rather loud clickity going on. I thought maybe my pups were set to high but its not that at all. Im not sure what it could be but its loud enough to where I dont like it, none of the other strings do it and it doesnt happen when I play with a pick unless I attack a certain that is not my normal attack. finger style definitely makes it happen a lot more times than not. Hopefully Im making sense here. Thanks to any whom comment with input and or help!

 

[zacmac]

raise the action and look into a higher tension set of strings. I have learned to play softer and it helps tremendously but you need more headroom out of your amp

 

[Joedog]

Almost impossible to zero in on your problem w/o examining it. If you can't figure it out, best to take it to a tech, or at least a seasoned BP who knows how to do a set up. Having said that, it SOUNDS like your problem is only with the E. Could be the bridge saddle height, or nut slot is to low?

 

[gregmon79]

Thanks zacmac, Ill try it out and see what happens. I know that I was trying to get my action as low as possible because I wanted it down that low. Ive always played with my action rather high because of my attack. Now that its lower on my P, its not hard for me to get it clankin. It makes sense that it would though considering what I just said. Maybe Im just not a low action kinda guy do to my attack and playing style.

 

[heavymetal0061]

sounds like a minor saddle adjustment on the bridge,, I know what you mean,, I play P-basses as well useing my fingers,,I personaly like a very small amount of that attack sound, it's the strings hitting the neck due to the way fingers pull or pluck the strings.. I adjusted my treble setting to accomidate,,, The only problem I have with this is when I play live,, and Mr. soundman runs my bass direct,than I'm at his mercy,, my stage sound is great ,,but I record everytime with a tascam handheld on a table out in front area,, and I always get that overbearing click sound,,I hate that!!,,mess around with your saddle on your bridge, remembering how many times ya turn your screws, in case you have to return, or like others here say take it some where for a good set up,,even still it's all on how YOU play,, try playing more towards the bridge,,strings are tighter there,,, I adjust how I play and set my amp accrodingly...
Good luck!

 

[gregmon79]

Thanks hevey, this is EXACTLY what I am referring to. I figured that what you are saying was the issue. I will just heave to keep tweaking and find my spot for the saddle. I also have a very aggressive EQ set so it makes it more clickity but thats what i like, a VERY aggressive P tone.

 

[elBandito]

You can't play low action bass the way you do high action. You need a completely different touch. There's no setup cure, when you hammer away.

Thanks zacmac, Ill try it out and see what happens. I know that I was trying to get my action as low as possible because I wanted it down that low. Ive always played with my action rather high because of my attack. Now that its lower on my P, its not hard for me to get it clankin. It makes sense that it would though considering what I just said. Maybe Im just not a low action kinda guy do to my attack and playing style.

 

[gregmon79]

You can't play low action bass the way you do high action. You need a completely different touch. There's no setup cure, when you hammer away.

Makes total sense, thanks. I just wanted to make sure my setup wasn't wacky. I know it's not now and it's just my attack because everything on the fretboard plays nice n smooth.


Killing gods

 

[Technotitclan]

Setup is your issue. Next set of strings you buy look for strings that are stiffer. Email Jason from http://bassstringsonline.com explain the issue and he can recomend strings with a stiffer E string.

Back to my original comment... Setup is your issue. Check the neck and action height. I have prettly low action but my E string actrually has the least amount of clank. http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/akcndfr54jdhrei567/Ultimate_Guide_ver100.pdf read it a few times then look over your bass.

 

[elBandito]

I doubt it's the setup. There's only so much setups can do.

Ive always played with my action rather high because of my attack. Now that its lower on my P, its not hard for me to get it clankin. It makes sense that it would though considering what I just said. Maybe Im just not a low action kinda guy do to my attack and playing style.

 

[Technotitclan]

I doubt it's the setup. There's only so much setups can do.

Agreed. In my case though setup was half my problem. I corrected the issue by both learning to do setups AND changing right hand technique.

 

[Technotitclan]

 

[gregmon79]

If size is a consideration, you might want to consider the VFE Woodchipper. It is also a Brassmaster circuit but in the same size box as all the other VFE pedals (MXR size). Trouble is there are very few if any reviews out there and even less in the way of demos. I have one on order but will be a while still before I get it. Just another option.

Edit: I just found one for sale on ilovefuzz.

Setup is your issue. Next set of strings you buy look for strings that are stiffer. Email Jason from http://bassstringsonline.com explain the issue and he can recomend strings with a stiffer E string.

Back to my original comment... Setup is your issue. Check the neck and action height. I have prettly low action but my E string actrually has the least amount of clank. http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/akcndfr54jdhrei567/Ultimate_Guide_ver100.pdf read it a few times then look over your bass.

I doubt it's the setup. There's only so much setups can do.

Thanks guys. I'll still check out that link. All the education I can take helps.