Fret Finger Muting Problem

Technique
1

Muting the string by lifting my fretting finger off the string is challenging. Sometimes I get it and sometimes I do not. I know it will take practice. I have 3 Basses. When I play my Ibanez 4 String SR 300, it seems almost impossible. When I lift it off I get a very distinct 2nd echo, way different than a simple buzzing or rumbling, almost as if I am plucking it again. I’m beginning to think it may be the bass. With my other two basses I do not get it, although sometimes I get the buzz - which I expect as I learn to master it.

My Ibanez is fairly new. It came from Sweetwater fully set up. Around three months later, after hanging on the wall for a while it appeared a bit out of whack. So, I brought it into a local Guitar store here in NYC. They have 30 years in the business and they probably set-up 10 to 20 guitars a day. That was a little over a month ago. They also set up my other Ibanez, 200, which performs very well. I ask them to set up the bass in a standard configuration as to action, as I do not yet know or perceive the difference.

If I can mute more successfully on my two other basses (Squire Classic Vibe 70s Jazz) and have trouble with this one, is it the bass? If so, how can I determine that before I bring it back to them? What am I looking for? I cannot do close up stuff as my eyes aren’t that good at my age. Could it simply be that different models of bass react differently? I do not want to bring it back and have them tell me it is perfectly well set up and it is my technique.

I think if it was the setup I think they would gladly fix it, as they are very reputable. If it is the model, I’ll have to sell it and get a different one. I want to be able to tell them exactly what I think is wrong with the setup, rather than just to take a look at it and see if they did it correctly. They may have inadvertently set it up for a specific action which I cannot deal with. Any suggestions on trouble shooting this and how to approach them if it is their setup?

2

This sounds like harmonics.

On which frets is this happening?

Stringed instruments have harmonic points. If you hold ONE finger on them at a harmonic point, it will ring even without fretting. The major ones are 7, 5, 4, and 12. They only happen if you hold your finger directly over the fret.

I’d guess that due to neck shape and setup, you’re fretting more right on the frets with that bass and not sliding your fingers when lifting.

To stop it from ringing, put more than one finger on the string and/or slide your hand after you release.

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3

Thanks. However, that only happens on that one bass. I will check and see if I am right on the fret. Also, I think I may be lifting my finger off the string rather than keeping contact. Thanks.

4

There is likely something in the ergonomics or setup (thinner neck, action height, etc.) that makes you more prone to doing these things. But it is something you are doing, not a flaw in construction.

My money would be on the Ibanez having a thinner neck and lower action than what you’ve gotten used to. So when you release, you’re opening your hand up too wide.

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