[BrianLudwig]

Hi everyone
Forgive me for this mail if it sounds stupid but I am new to the forum and to bass playing. I've purchased a Yamaha RBX270J LH and a Laney Bass combo RB3 box.
My problem is no matter how short I cut my nails they still seems to catch on the strings and sometimes the sound seems to come even though the nail does not strike the string especially if I pluck quite hard. Any ideas what could be wrong i.e. Bridge too high, too low etc or is it just my poor playing.
Thanks for reading this
Brian

[randallflagg]

Hi everyone
Forgive me for this mail if it sounds stupid but I am new to the forum and to bass playing. I've purchased a Yamaha RBX270J LH and a Laney Bass combo RB3 box.
My problem is no matter how short I cut my nails they still seems to catch on the strings and sometimes the sound seems to come even though the nail does not strike the string especially if I pluck quite hard. Any ideas what could be wrong i.e. Bridge too high, too low etc or is it just my poor playing.
Thanks for reading this
Brian

Hello there!! You're new to the forum and I haven't been around in ages.....go figure!

OK...here's my take on your problem:

The way I play with my fingers is, perhaps a little different than some, but I PULL the strings with the BOTTOM of my fingers (the "pads") if you will...this helps keep my nails (more or less) away from the strings...take a little practice, but at least for me, it works..

Welcome to the low-end!!



RF

[junior01]

You may be hitting the frets. If that's the case a little adjustment of the bridge should solve the problem. But if you always get a very "high" sound that does sound like your hitting the strings with your finger nails it can mean that you have a lot of mid in your sound. If that's the case a little EQing were you'll boost the lows and turn back the mids will give you plenty of low ends!

[BrianLudwig]

You may be hitting the frets. If that's the case a little adjustment of the bridge should solve the problem. But if you always get a very "high" sound that does sound like your hitting the strings with your finger nails it can mean that you have a lot of mid in your sound. If that's the case a little EQing were you'll boost the lows and turn back the mids will give you plenty of low ends!

Thanks very much for your reply and it does sound like I'm hitting the frets from your description becuse if I hit the strings VERY gently I get the 'proper' bass sound. I've turned the treble and mid all the way down on the RB3 so thats not it - strangly enough when I use headphones the 'finger' sound disappears !
I'm going to take the bass back to Guitar Guitar and see if they can adjust the bridge a little as I don't feel competent to do this myself.
Thanks for taking the time to reply - much appreciated.
Brian (Edinburgh - Scotland)

[BrianLudwig]

Hi everyone
Forgive me for this mail if it sounds stupid but I am new to the forum and to bass playing. I've purchased a Yamaha RBX270J LH and a Laney Bass combo RB3 box.
My problem is no matter how short I cut my nails they still seems to catch on the strings and sometimes the sound seems to come even though the nail does not strike the string especially if I pluck quite hard. Any ideas what could be wrong i.e. Bridge too high, too low etc or is it just my poor playing.
Thanks for reading this
Brian

Hello there!! You're new to the forum and I haven't been around in ages.....go figure!

OK...here's my take on your problem:

The way I play with my fingers is, perhaps a little different than some, but I PULL the strings with the BOTTOM of my fingers (the "pads") if you will...this helps keep my nails (more or less) away from the strings...take a little practice, but at least for me, it works..

Welcome to the low-end!!



RF

Hi RF
Thanks for the advice which is much appreciated. I've tried hitting the strings with my pads but find it very difficult. I'm going to take a few lesson from a session player and see if that helps - BTW you're not in Scotland any time soon ? I could do with the help - :-)
Brian

[randallflagg]

Hi everyone
Forgive me for this mail if it sounds stupid but I am new to the forum and to bass playing. I've purchased a Yamaha RBX270J LH and a Laney Bass combo RB3 box.
My problem is no matter how short I cut my nails they still seems to catch on the strings and sometimes the sound seems to come even though the nail does not strike the string especially if I pluck quite hard. Any ideas what could be wrong i.e. Bridge too high, too low etc or is it just my poor playing.
Thanks for reading this
Brian

Hello there!! You're new to the forum and I haven't been around in ages.....go figure!

OK...here's my take on your problem:

The way I play with my fingers is, perhaps a little different than some, but I PULL the strings with the BOTTOM of my fingers (the "pads") if you will...this helps keep my nails (more or less) away from the strings...take a little practice, but at least for me, it works..

Welcome to the low-end!!



RF

Hi RF
Thanks for the advice which is much appreciated. I've tried hitting the strings with my pads but find it very difficult. I'm going to take a few lesson from a session player and see if that helps - BTW you're not in Scotland any time soon ? I could do with the help - :-)
Brian

Brother - you have no idea how much I'd like to oblige you!! My family started out in Scotland (Father's side) and England (Mother's side). Unfortunately, it isn't feasible right now....

You know, technique really isn't a big deal. I mean, it basically comes down to practice, practice and then more pratice....pain in the arse, I know, but what can you do?

Anyway, good luck to you!!


RF

[BrianLudwig]

Hi everyone
Forgive me for this mail if it sounds stupid but I am new to the forum and to bass playing. I've purchased a Yamaha RBX270J LH and a Laney Bass combo RB3 box.
My problem is no matter how short I cut my nails they still seems to catch on the strings and sometimes the sound seems to come even though the nail does not strike the string especially if I pluck quite hard. Any ideas what could be wrong i.e. Bridge too high, too low etc or is it just my poor playing.
Thanks for reading this
Brian

Hello there!! You're new to the forum and I haven't been around in ages.....go figure!

OK...here's my take on your problem:

The way I play with my fingers is, perhaps a little different than some, but I PULL the strings with the BOTTOM of my fingers (the "pads") if you will...this helps keep my nails (more or less) away from the strings...take a little practice, but at least for me, it works..

Welcome to the low-end!!



RF

Hi RF
Thanks for the advice which is much appreciated. I've tried hitting the strings with my pads but find it very difficult. I'm going to take a few lesson from a session player and see if that helps - BTW you're not in Scotland any time soon ? I could do with the help - :-)
Brian

Brother - you have no idea how much I'd like to oblige you!! My family started out in Scotland (Father's side) and England (Mother's side). Unfortunately, it isn't feasible right now....

You know, technique really isn't a big deal. I mean, it basically comes down to practice, practice and then more pratice....pain in the arse, I know, but what can you do?

Anyway, good luck to you!!


RF

Hi RF
THanks again for your reply - Just shows what a small world it really is - we are truely all brothers !
Practice- yes I agree and I'm currently doing around 2 to 3 hours per day and getting much better. Love the guitars BTW ( by the way)
Cheers from Scotland
Brian

[seanm18]

i agree. the fretless in particular.