Dialing Out String Noise?!?

[Thunderbroom]

I plugged in the Steinie into the GB last night. While it sounds pretty cool, it just seems that the string noise is magnified. While I expect to hear from some of you that the string noise is due to my poor technique (not gonna argue with that), is there a particular way to dial in an amp to give it a good deep sound with little to no string noise?

[fretless]

presence cut , treble cut , tweeter cut , add flats

 

probably could just cut some treble at the bass .

 

Even the best classical guitarist get string noise , so no biggie .

[Thunderbroom]

 

Originally posted by fretless presence cut , treble cut , tweeter cut , add flats probably could just cut some treble at the bass . Even the best classical guitarist get string noise , so no biggie .

 

 

I've thought about flats ($35 a set plus shipping).

 

I don't play through a tweeter, don't have a "presence" knob on my amp, and have a passive bass.

 

I've tried cutting the treble on the amp. It just doesn't sound "right". I guess I just need to be patient when tweaking it.

[fretless]

there probably is that fine line on the treble that does what you want and still sounds good , could be a very fine line . Yeah flats have really solved a brightness issue with me , I think I only have one bass these days that has rounds on it .

[Thunderbroom]

 

Originally posted by fretless there probably is that fine line on the treble that does what you want and still sounds good , could be a very fine line . Yeah flats have really solved a brightness issue with me , I think I only have one bass these days that has rounds on it .

 

 

I'll probably just bite the bullet and get the flats.

 

I've got flats on all of my basses except one as well.

[fretless]

how about that string thingie for the Steinie , if they ever get them in stock

 

http://www.musicyo.com/product_specs.asp?pf_id=225

[fretless]

oh yeah there is that mute thing all those tappers use . Though I never tried one .kinda like a hair tie, whoops no headstock

[Adrenochrome]

Definitely use flats, then you can turn the treble back up and not lose your tone by trying to hide string noise.

[mike fitzwell]

Are you worried about hearing the string noise in a band situation? If so, don't! I guarantee you will not notice it when y'all are playing together.

 

Since you've spoiled yourself with flats , roll the tone knob back on your bass, cut the treble on your head, and rock out!

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally posted by Adrenochrome Definitely use flats, then you can turn the treble back up and not lose your tone by trying to hide string noise.

 

+1.

FWIW, I luuuve hearing a hint of the skin on my fingers against the string. I just don't want it louder than the actual NOTES I'm playing!

[takeout]

TB -

 

The Steinie might just be a bright bass to begin with. If you were to roll off treble at the instrument and make up for it at the amp, that might help.

 

It's the same principle that recording engineers sometimes use on vintage tape machines: roll back the treble EQ by 3dB while tracking, then boost by 3dB at playback. It lowers the noise floor. Some even calibrate this on the machine itself.

[Jazz Ad]

Fret noises are in the 1500 Hz band.

[Ole Man Blues]

D'addario Chromes will get rid of that string noise....

 

OMB

[beam]

Flats and set your tone knob to 0

[dannydigital]

what are the cons to flats? what kind of music normally uses basses w/ flats? i play a jazz bass and i like a little growl and tone. i dont like a really dull flat sound. but i also have a little more fret/string noise than id like. i play rock/harder rock music

[J the D]

 

Originally posted by dannydigital what are the cons to flats? what kind of music normally uses basses w/ flats? i play a jazz bass and i like a little growl and tone. i dont like a really dull flat sound. but i also have a little more fret/string noise than id like. i play rock/harder rock music

 

 

The downside of flats is you lose the highs that rounds give you. Dub.

 

I have not used flats for a long, long time. I prefer nickel round wounds. I can roll off the highs to remove any undesired string noise yet still have some zing to my sound. FWIW I change my GHS Boomers no less than once a month to keep them fresh. Tone controls allow me to dial in the sound I want. Sometimes that is with the bridge pickup and the tone knob rolled all the way off.

[catphish]

 

Originally posted by mike fitzwell Are you worried about hearing the string noise in a band situation? If so, don't! I guarantee you will not notice it when y'all are playing together.

 

 

+1

[no-logic]

Or semi-rounds. SIT makes a string called Silencers which is basically their Power Wound compressed to make the outer layer less round.

[zachoff]

drop the eq at 1kHz & that will help a little bit.