Bass players - how do you reduce string noise?
Discussion
Chris71 said:
Been trying to get back into learning the bass after a bit of break and I'm getting lots of string noise when I touch and release the frets on my left hand. Any tips?
I'm probably a bit of a dinosaur but I've pretty much always played with a pick so damped with the heel of my right hand and sometimes fretted on the fret rather than behind it which gives a different damping effect.Chris71 said:
Jag-D said:
Raise the bridge?
Not even sure my poverty-spec P-Bass has that option. Seems I'm new to the bass (although a fairly experienced guitarist) it would be worth making sure it wasn't a technique issue first though.
t fender rep bass and I dont have a problem with buzzy strings?Are you fretting between the frets or on the frets? Do you release quickly or slowly? How much pressure are you applying?
Interesting that you should post this because whenever my mates, who are guitarists, pick up the bass they get lots of fret buzz. Me - natural born bass player - no fret buzz.
Interesting that you should post this because whenever my mates, who are guitarists, pick up the bass they get lots of fret buzz. Me - natural born bass player - no fret buzz.
Bill Carr said:
Interesting that you should post this because whenever my mates, who are guitarists, pick up the bass they get lots of fret buzz. Me - natural born bass player - no fret buzz.
I've tried not to be 'a guitarist playing the bass', but I fear there is probably an element of it. 
It's certainly more sensitive to fretting than a lead guitar.Haven't really analysed my technique enough to comment. What should I be doing?
On a completely un-related note I managed a vaguely credible attempt at popping and slapping this morning. I was immensely proud of my crude butchering of the Higher Ground bassline!
Playing closer to the frets will definitely help, as mentioned. As you get more confident and able you can use any non-fretting fingers on your fretting hand to damp strings that you're not playing or that have moved between. You can take a few more liberties than guitar in this respect - with guitar, you might introduce unwanted harmonics when rolling your finger off strings, whereas on bass it doesn't notice so much.
Kudos on the slapping!
Kudos on the slapping!
Thanks guys, will do. The weird thing is it's not a buzz when I'm already fretted, it's a lot of noise as you go on and off the strings - a bit like you're sliding up and down the strings (like a mini pick-slide!) but I'm trying to get my fingers down quite cleanly and reasonably perpendicular to the fretboard.
I suspect some of it is that I'm trying to develop my little finger, which I never really used on the guitar. Asd a result I don't have quite as much coordination.
I suspect some of it is that I'm trying to develop my little finger, which I never really used on the guitar. Asd a result I don't have quite as much coordination.
Silly question, but have you got too much top end set on the amp, like a 'bright' button pressed in for example ?
Maybe turn the treble down a little but not so much as to lose the tone and clarity. The top end boost on some active basses can make the strings very 'zingy' particularly when new.
Maybe turn the treble down a little but not so much as to lose the tone and clarity. The top end boost on some active basses can make the strings very 'zingy' particularly when new.
Sounds like an EQ problem as much as anything to me.
I take it the neck is tensioned properly (ie not "leaning back" ).
I used to play years ago, helpful pointers.
Use your fingers and edge of your hand to damp the strings and play with your fingers, not a plectrum. It's pretty intuitive, use your 2 fingers like walking, but one picks the string and the other stops it. Concentrate on getting a du du du du sound rather than doyng doyng doyng.
Pick the strings further towards the neck. If you're going to slap, try hitting it very close/on the frets so you get a real funky sound rather than a horrible doyngy sound. The edge of your hand is your damper.
I use to adjust the strings so at the last fret there was 5mm of clearance or so.
I take it the neck is tensioned properly (ie not "leaning back" ).
I used to play years ago, helpful pointers.
Use your fingers and edge of your hand to damp the strings and play with your fingers, not a plectrum. It's pretty intuitive, use your 2 fingers like walking, but one picks the string and the other stops it. Concentrate on getting a du du du du sound rather than doyng doyng doyng.
Pick the strings further towards the neck. If you're going to slap, try hitting it very close/on the frets so you get a real funky sound rather than a horrible doyngy sound. The edge of your hand is your damper.
I use to adjust the strings so at the last fret there was 5mm of clearance or so.
chevy-stu said:
Silly question, but have you got too much top end set on the amp, like a 'bright' button pressed in for example?
Oh I've got worse than that. I'm afraid I'm still just playing through an old guitar amp with the bass turned up in the EQ. 
The amp has seen better days so I thought I'd stick with that until I either start playing with other people and need more oomph or simply blow the speaker.
I will get round to getting a proper bass amp - the idea is to get back into gigging at some stage for which I'll need something reasonably meaty to get over a drumkit - just trying to teach myself to play a bit more respectably first. Okay, this could also be interprated as being tight.
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