Hey I got my bass yesterday so I'm a total newbie when I play the strings rattle a bit and make a weird noise like the string hitting the fretboard how can I fix that?
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I need help, i am new #
- Thread starter TimmyTheScav
- Start date
It could be that your action (string height) is set too high or that there is not enough relief in your neck (assuming there are no actual problems with your bass). Are you getting fret buzz all across the neck or just in certain places? Also, are you sure it’s the strings rattling and not the springs at the bridge? I’d strongly recommend you have a look at this article and video:
Roger Setup Instructions – Sadowsky Guitars
Roger Setup Instructions – Sadowsky Guitars
That's called fret buzz. If you go to a guitar shop they can give it a setup, might cost you $50 or so. That's a matter of adjusting the neck and the bridge saddles. It's also something that you'll be able to control better as you develop your technique - some players deliberately use a percussive style that buzzes more (e.g. Billy Sheehan), whereas others avoid it.
Yup you need a set-up. Go to a retail music store first and find a bass that has action you like. Take pictures from the side of the neck showing how much clearance the strings have off the fingerboard. Show the picture to your bass tech so they know what set-up you prefer.
As you get more experienced, you will buy a set of Allen wrenches and learn to make small adjustments on your own. I do most of my own simple set-up work myself, but leave the difficult jobs to professionals.
Welcome to bass! Week one; learn the I chord position.
Week 2, learn the IV chord position.
Week 3 learn the V. Then buy an amp and start gigging lol!
As you get more experienced, you will buy a set of Allen wrenches and learn to make small adjustments on your own. I do most of my own simple set-up work myself, but leave the difficult jobs to professionals.
Welcome to bass! Week one; learn the I chord position.
Week 2, learn the IV chord position.
Week 3 learn the V. Then buy an amp and start gigging lol!
Play the strings light
Play the strings hard
Proper setup will keep the fret buzz at bay
John Wetton playing light and playing hard
. Take a look at this. Not saying you should do it yourself. But it is a step in understanding how the bass works and the general metrics one should seek and be aware of.
Welcome to the board. I think the best suggestion is to take it to a guitar shop to determine the cause and a pro set up. If you can watch him do it, all the better.
I will add this tidbit, some times certain round would strings can rattle. DR Lo Riders strings have a core wire that is hexagonal and I've had several of their strings over the years that rattle when new. That rattle however will not be amplified, meaning when you are playing through an amp you won't notice it. Eventually it will clear up.
Best wishes, and feel free to come back and ask more questions.
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Nobody ever mentions in these fret buzz threads wether it’s happening while plugged in and amplified, or if it’s unplugged and they are plucking extra hard to hear the notes.
I’m willing to bet it’s the latter. Plug in , turn up, and find the minimum plucking effort required to make a clear pitch. Beginners almost always pluck harder than needed.
If you have a teacher or know an experienced player hand your bass to them and see if the same happens in more experienced hands. Then you will know if the solution is a set up or practice.
I’m willing to bet it’s the latter. Plug in , turn up, and find the minimum plucking effort required to make a clear pitch. Beginners almost always pluck harder than needed.
If you have a teacher or know an experienced player hand your bass to them and see if the same happens in more experienced hands. Then you will know if the solution is a set up or practice.
Instead of Talkbass.com, try Mark at Talkingbass.com. Tons of free lessons from total newb to advanced. Create an account, explore the site.
Scott’s bass lessons is a great resource. Free trials, special offers, tons of content, it get better all the time. The players path feature is perfect for beginners on up.
At this point fret buzz, especially if you have a brand new bass with brand new strings, could be both set up and typical beginner poor technique.
If you can use simple tools and follow clear directions, Sheldon Dingwall has a YouTube video series, step by step set up. Set up is personal, changes with string sets, weather, and skill level. Just like playing, practice makes perfect. Learn to change strings and do setup.
Welcome to TB, there’s some jewels in the rocks here, so ask away.
Scott’s bass lessons is a great resource. Free trials, special offers, tons of content, it get better all the time. The players path feature is perfect for beginners on up.
At this point fret buzz, especially if you have a brand new bass with brand new strings, could be both set up and typical beginner poor technique.
If you can use simple tools and follow clear directions, Sheldon Dingwall has a YouTube video series, step by step set up. Set up is personal, changes with string sets, weather, and skill level. Just like playing, practice makes perfect. Learn to change strings and do setup.
Welcome to TB, there’s some jewels in the rocks here, so ask away.
Welcome to TalkBass!
You are embarking upon a wonderful trek!
One of the main issues I've found with newbies is: they tend to pluck the strings rather than gently pull the finger tips across the strings. Proper technique is a huge deal and, while there will be a time for "slapping and plucking". This isn't quite the time for it.
Also, lessons can help greatly. I strongly recommend one-on-one lessons. If they are not available to you, go to Youtube and search for "Bass Buzz". Josh is a terrific (and fun) instructor as far as online lessons go and he's got a lot of the true entry level stuff out there for free. He will start you from the bottom floor and bring you up quite a fair way on your musical journey.
Good luck and feel free to reach out to me, if you like.
You are embarking upon a wonderful trek!
One of the main issues I've found with newbies is: they tend to pluck the strings rather than gently pull the finger tips across the strings. Proper technique is a huge deal and, while there will be a time for "slapping and plucking". This isn't quite the time for it.
Also, lessons can help greatly. I strongly recommend one-on-one lessons. If they are not available to you, go to Youtube and search for "Bass Buzz". Josh is a terrific (and fun) instructor as far as online lessons go and he's got a lot of the true entry level stuff out there for free. He will start you from the bottom floor and bring you up quite a fair way on your musical journey.
Good luck and feel free to reach out to me, if you like.
JeezyMcNuggles
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Tune it, loosen your truss rod a little, raise your string saddles on your bridge. Or, just push a little harder, right up next to the fret, and pluck a little softer.
All of those things will help you not have the strings rattle. Try the physical ones before you try the mechanical ones. Except tuning. Always tune your bass.
Looooots of possibilities. One common one is mistakenly putting your fretting finger between two metal frets. You should press down on the string with your fretting hand behind the metal fret, but not halfway to the next fret.
Also your plucking hand needs control to not pluck the string too hard/far.
You bass might need a setup too. And many basses have a bit of fret buzz, but if you have a lot, it’s either technique or setup or both. Have someone check your bass’s setup. Have someone look at your technique. (you can post a short video here)
Welcome to the jungle!
Also your plucking hand needs control to not pluck the string too hard/far.
You bass might need a setup too. And many basses have a bit of fret buzz, but if you have a lot, it’s either technique or setup or both. Have someone check your bass’s setup. Have someone look at your technique. (you can post a short video here)
Welcome to the jungle!
Basses do sometimes 'rattle a bit', with their big movements. It's nothing as long as it doesn't come over the speaker and doesn't deaden any notes. Watch this for some insights
are you playing with an amp or dry....i like a low action and i play sometimes hard, and the strings naturally rattle when playing unplugged. Hook up with a teacher or have your bass setup with higher action. You might be ok as it is, just haven't developed your technique yet.....goodluck and welcome to the Low side!!