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What is this weird tone?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Evil Undead, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. Apr 9, 2012 #1
    Evil Undead

    Evil Undead

    Oct 31, 2009
    Recorded the open strings on my $$ because I noticed that there was a very strange "ringing" sound, kind of like bells. Especially on the open E.

    None of the strings are twisted and they are all wound properly, the set up is good... I don't get it.

    it's very noticeable on the open E at 21 seconds

    http://soundcloud.com/imaginaryevil/weird-tone
     
  2. Apr 9, 2012 #2
    fenderhutz

    fenderhutz

    Jan 28, 2007
    Harpers Ferry WV
    Can't hear it at work. You tried lowering your pickup?
     
  3. Apr 9, 2012 #3
    famousbirds

    famousbirds

    Aug 3, 2009
    Honolulu
    Yeah, just seemed like maybe you hit the string attack a bit to emphasize the harmonic. Trim your nails?
     
  4. Apr 9, 2012 #4
    Evil Undead

    Evil Undead

    Oct 31, 2009
    Thank you for your replies.

    The pickups are fairly low already, and it's only recently started doing this. I've lowered them again but no difference.

    It's the strange harmonics that are bugging me.

    I have very short nails :)
    At 21 seconds in, I rolled the bass off a bit which definitely makes it sound much worse.
     
  5. Apr 9, 2012 #5
    Soverntear

    Soverntear

    Mar 17, 2008
    Toronto
    TBH I do not hear it and that's at full blast
     
  6. Apr 9, 2012 #6
    famousbirds

    famousbirds

    Aug 3, 2009
    Honolulu
    Yeah, at most it sounds like a natural harmonic of the string. No "fix" except to turn the tone knob down..
     
  7. Apr 9, 2012 #7
    Rockman

    Rockman

    Mar 2, 2006
    I agree with everything. Sounds normal to me.
     
  8. Apr 9, 2012 #8
    khutch

    khutch Praise Harp

    Aug 20, 2011
    suburban Chicago
    I only hear something unusual on the last note. Some of it sounds like fret buzz, there is one brief burst that sounds a little more metallic than that. Action too low?

    Ken
     
  9. Apr 9, 2012 #9
    BklynKen

    BklynKen

    Mar 25, 2011
    Brooklyn, NY, Earth
    I was going to suggest this as well. Maybe do a little truss rod adjustment?
     
  10. Apr 9, 2012 #10
    tdub0199

    tdub0199

    Mar 4, 2010
    Atlanta, Ga.
    I don't hear anything unusual or different either except the light fret buzz on the last note....
     
  11. Apr 9, 2012 #11
    THORRR

    THORRR Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2010
    Parker, Colorado
    I don't hear them.

    You may have "bats in the belfry"

    or Tinnitus even.

    :bag:;)
     
  12. Apr 9, 2012 #12
    WhiteNinja

    WhiteNinja

    Jan 20, 2011
    It's that sound that almost sounds like it has a bit of chorus in it, right? I had that a couple of times, but only with newer roundwound strings.
     
  13. Apr 9, 2012 #13
    Rip Topaz

    Rip Topaz

    Aug 12, 2005
    Willow Street, PA
    If the strings are new, your amps EQ is probably gonna sound too bright. Try lowering the high mids a bit. After they break in a little you can bring it back up.
     
  14. Apr 9, 2012 #14
    Evil Undead

    Evil Undead

    Oct 31, 2009
    Ooops, yeah I hit the note a bit funny. Says a lot for my technique eh? ;)

    Yes! Exactly that! Sounds like I've got an effects pedal on but I don't.

    The strings are fairly new. They're my usual Rotosound nickel on steels. I'll give that a try :)
     
  15. Apr 9, 2012 #15
    lunarpollen

    lunarpollen

    Aug 6, 2007
    Rio Linda, CA
    Maybe try lowering your pickup height just a bit... It might or might not fix the issue but it's worth a try...
     
  16. Apr 9, 2012 #16
    Inconnu

    Inconnu

    Nov 1, 2005
    My bass-ment, Canada
    Sounds like a bass with new Rotosounds to me...
     
  17. Apr 9, 2012 #17
    Duckwater

    Duckwater Guest

    May 10, 2010
    USA, Washington
    I agree
     
  18. Apr 9, 2012 #18
    mrsal

    mrsal Guest

    Jul 14, 2011
    id say its the new strings as well. if its still doing it in a few weeks, then its probably not the strings though
     
  19. Apr 9, 2012 #19
    EagleMoon

    EagleMoon

    Jul 13, 2007
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Sounds like a harmonic, probably just the new strings. Sometimes you can get weird overtones like that with certain sets of strings. I had weird tones like that once with a set of D'Addario ProSteels. If it really bothers you, I'd change the strings to a new set.
     
  20. Apr 9, 2012 #20
    TheAnalogKid

    TheAnalogKid Yer Doin' GREAT!!!!

    Dec 7, 2011
    Hey, E.U., I did hear that chorusing effect at 0:21 seconds as well, after a couple of replays. I concur with the attribute of that weird sound to a physical characteristic of the string in question.

    My 2-cents is that the strings need a little "stretch" if they are still new. What I heard is a sympathetic vibration within the string. Some players stretch the strings by pulling (a lot) on them away from the body or over-tuning then easing back to the tuning of their choice. Could be bad string(s), too.