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flats and thickness

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greitzer

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Joined
Oct 12, 2007
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22
I've had a Sterling for a couple of months now; replaced the original SuperSlinky's right away with flatwounds because I play mostly jazz and the SuperSlinky's had much too much finger-sliding noise.

I notice I get a lot of "clacking" noise of string hitting fret, almost as loud as the notes I'm playing. I am wondering if it's because of the particular flatwound strings I put on -- they are D'Addario XL Chromes, medium gauge, that are 50-70-85-105 (long scale).

I tried adjusting the truss rod for higher action and it helped a bit, but not a whole lot, before it just got too high for comfortable playing.

If I put thinner strings on, any chance this will help reduce the "clacking" noise of string on fret? Maybe these strings are too thick for the Sterling? I notice Ernie Ball has flats that are 40-60-70-095. Would this help? Any advice is appreciated.
 
Greitzer,
what's up .. thanks for joining the madness here! It's hard to understand what is exactly going on with the "clacking" .. but I like the verbage. IMO, I would think that the noise woud be greater the higher your raise the action and the further the strings get from the fretboard. I'm trying to understand if it is the string hitting the fret that is creating the noise. You can try a lighter gauge set, but if you are used to 50g I'm not sure this would be best for your personal preferance. We offer a set that's a 40-95 as well as set that is a 45-100. It's worth a shot ..
 
Thanks for the response, I appreciate it.

Yep, the noise comes from the string hitting the fret. It's not noticeable in the first few frets, towards the nut, but as I get up into the six, seventh frets and higher, there is pretty loud string-hitting-fret noise.

Are the frets on this bass larger than the usual frets on most basses, by some chance?

And perhaps you're right, maybe I should've lowered the action instead of raising it. Thanks for any insight you can provide. I sure love the sound of this bass, if I can only figure the string-fret-noise problem. Thanks again.
 
Grietzer, whenever I hear that a bass is fine before a string change, and after a string change is having issues like the one you described, I would always look to the strings, simply because that is the one factor that has been changed, hence that should be looked at before a lot of other measures are taken. I am not that familiar with the D'Addario Chromes, but it could be that the strings are too bright with the chrome wrap on the nickel-based frets. I agree with Jody who suggested the Ernie Ball Group III flats (catalog #2806, gauged 45-65-80-100) because they are more compatable with this bass, not just due to the wrap but because of the tension will be likely more similar to the strings that were originally strung on the bass. It's sometimes a learning curve (and sometimes an expensive one) when it comes to finding the right strings for your bass, so it's best to consider carefully what has the best chance of giving you the sound you want.

Regarding your personal setup - if the upper frets are buzzing or otherwise making noise, what often works is to go ahead and slightly tighten the truss rod wheel (by turning it clockwise) and raise the bridge saddles up a little.

By the way, our bass frets are no larger than on most basses - we just spend a lot more time on them.! ;)

Dan
 
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5Stringer said:
Grietzer, whenever I hear that a bass is fine before a string change, and after a string change is having issues like the one you described, I would always look to the strings, simply because that is the one factor that has been changed, hence that should be looked at before a lot of other measures are taken . . . I agree with Jody who suggested the Ernie Ball Group III flats (catalog #2806, gauged 45-65-80-100) because they are more compatable with this bass, not just due to the wrap but because of the tension will be likely more similar to the strings that were originally strung on the bass...

Dan
Click to expand...

Dan and Jody, thanks to both of you for the advice. This makes sense to me, and I have ordered a set of the Ernie Ball flats you have mentioned, so I look forward to receiving them and hopefully they will be more compatible with the bass. If I have any further problems I'll let you know. I do appreciate the prompt responses.
 
+1 -- Thanks phat5. Hopefully the string change will work for me as well. I'll post after I've had a chance to install them and play on them a bit.
 
my personal experience with Musicman basses is:

Just string 'em with Ernie Ball!!

i really tried almost everything on my M.M. basses but always keep turning back to E.B. strings!

and for gauges:

.045 - .100 for rehearsal's & recordings

.045 - .105 or .050 - .105 for live gigs

greets,

Arjan
 
Jodizzle said:
Greitzer,
what's up .. thanks for joining the madness here! It's hard to understand what is exactly going on with the "clacking" .. but I like the verbage. IMO, I would think that the noise woud be greater the higher your raise the action and the further the strings get from the fretboard. I'm trying to understand if it is the string hitting the fret that is creating the noise. You can try a lighter gauge set, but if you are used to 50g I'm not sure this would be best for your personal preferance. We offer a set that's a 40-95 as well as set that is a 45-100. It's worth a shot ..
Click to expand...

Does EB offer flatwound bass strings for a Stingray 5?

Thanks,

backagain1
 
Arjan -- thanks the advice, but unfortunately the Ernie Ball flats haven't fixed the problem. The click-clack of string against fret is still annoyingly loud, and now there are buzzes at some frets, which I didn't have before.

Soooo, my next step is to take it to a local setup guy who is supposed to be very good at this. If that doesn't work, I'm not sure -- perhaps ship it back to Ernie Ball, but that would really be inconvenient.

Disappointing for an istrument this expensive, but hopefully somebody can fix it.

Thanks to all for your advice so far, and I will keep you posted.
 
Funny, I've always associated "dull and clacking" with flatwound strings. That's why I've never used them, and can't understand why so many bassists like them.

Do you still have the set of Slinky's that were originally installed on your Sterling?
If so, I'd try to restring the bass with them and see if the setup still works with them, or if you get a lot of noise now as well. Also, the Slinky's stay rather bright for quite some time, but after that (some call that the "break in time) you'll experience much less finger-sliding string noise.
Also, remember the Sterling is an active bass with a very powerfull EQ: Turning down the treble half the way might help a lot to lose the string noise, while you'll still have enough high end for a clear definition of the attack.
 
greitzer said:
Arjan -- thanks the advice, but unfortunately the Ernie Ball flats haven't fixed the problem. The click-clack of string against fret is still annoyingly loud, and now there are buzzes at some frets, which I didn't have before.

Soooo, my next step is to take it to a local setup guy who is supposed to be very good at this. If that doesn't work, I'm not sure -- perhaps ship it back to Ernie Ball, but that would really be inconvenient.

Disappointing for an istrument this expensive, but hopefully somebody can fix it.

Thanks to all for your advice so far, and I will keep you posted.
Click to expand...

Greitzer, I would be one to help with the process should you need us to take a look at it. You can call me at 866-823-2255 or drop me an email at [email protected] if that's what needs to happen. We will turn it around as quickly as we possibly can.

Dan
 
Dan --- thanks very much for your offer to help, I appreciate it. I'll see if this local guy can take care of it, since he's right here in town. If not, I will be in touch, and thanks again for your concern.
 
It's the frets that are "clacking"! Get rid of the frets. :D

Seriously though, I find that different tension strings require slight adjustments to the neck. Less tension may require a little more action to give the string some room.
 
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