Hi all,
i recently completed the lesson where we play Seven Nation Army. It sounded alright, but after playing around with it for a bit I tried out fretting right ON or even before the frets. This produced a sound that was waaay closer to the original song and also sounded nicer to me in general.
So now my question is whether I can somehow reproduce this effect without having to fret on or even before the frets…? Are there tools with which I can alter the sound in the same way?
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Hail @jons.14 !
I’m not sure I can visualize what you mean by playing before the frets, or what the difference in sound might be.
When you say ‘before’ the frets, does that mean towards the pickup side, or towards the headstock side?
Here’s the clearest layout to proper fretting technique that I know of:
If you have photos or a video you can post, I’d be able to answer with much better specifics!
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Okay maybe the wording I should have used is “in front of” the fret instead of “before” (as seen from the bridge).
As Josh says it in the videos: I am supposed to aim for the end of the fret but NOT put my finger right on the fret or even beyond. But that’s was actually produced the better sound, for this song at least.
I thiiink this effect might be called a “muted” sound of the note? Is this the same effect that can be achieved by pushing a piece of foam under the strings, right next to the bridge?
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Oooh -
Thanks for clarifying.
I think you’re right.
Get a piece of foam - or a sponge - or just some soft cloth - and place it under the strings down by the bridge.
See if that gives you the sound you want?
I can’t get my bass to make any decent sounds when I fret on the fret other than buzzy buzzes.
GB
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The problem with Seven Nation Army is that the bassline was recorded on a guitar with a Digitech whammy pedal using the octave-down setting. So that’s why the sound on a bass is so elusive.
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I think what you are doing is sort of like a palm mute with your fingers. Maybe try with your palm (barely) or foam and see. The songs tone is really soft and there isn’t a ton of sustain either.
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I tried it with a sponge and I think it’s actually the same effect. With the sponge it’s way stronger though and the notes get veery quiet, so I won’t use it regularly. I’ve learned something, thanks a lot! 
Now I am still kinda wondering why my bass actually makes (semi-)decent sounds when I fret on the fret, with no buzzing… 
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I’m still a noob but touching the fret just beyond will make a horrible sound with all kinds of buzzing you don’t want. You’re technically on the side of the next fret already, so you’re also off when it comes to the notes.
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Here is a short clip on another muting technique.
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I know that there are many variables in recreating a particular sound on the bass.
I came across this last night on You Yube. Scott and Ian recreate bass lines. It is interesting. It is very good.
Who is Ian Martin Allison anyway?
I know Josh has a video also on creating different sounds too.
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