help- strange knocking noise

[rogo]

so I’ve been playing my fender jazz MIM for about 2 years now and it’s always made a strange sort of ‘knocking’ sound when I play, it’s even worse when I have distortion on. I’ve tried lowering the pickups as I thought that was the problem but it hasn’t helped. I’m fairly sure they’re stock pickups but the bass is a bit road worn so I’m not overly sure. I play fingerstyle and the knocking is much less noticeable when I play with a pick which makes me think it’s something to do with my technique maybe? I’m guessing I just need new pickups but I’m not sure, any advice would be greatly appreciated  

[Downunderwonder]

'Sounds' like something is physically loose, but mystery how picking is much different to plucking. I would think banging strings onto the pickups is more than a mildly distracting knocking noise. You might need to post a video to get anywhere with it.

 

I definitely wouldn't rush out and buy new pickups at this stage.

[Newfoundfreedom]

It's the drummer. 

[Doctor J]

Record the sound so people can hear it and you'll get the answer much, much quicker. Even if it's just recorded on your phone, it will be much better than trying to use words.

[floFC]

Has it got exposed pole pieces? When playing basses with such pickups in my early days, I was hearing strange popping/knocking noises. It took me a while to realise I was digging in so hard that the strings were hitting the pole pieces and sticking to them slightly, causing the noise. I have adjusted my technique since 😂

[velvetkevorkian]

If it happens more playing fingerstyle I'd imagine you're pushing the strings down into the frets rather than parallel to them. Try adjusting the angle your fingers hit the string at and see if that helps?

[rogo]

thank you all for your replies so far, the only way I can really demonstrate is in a song my band released (I promise this isn’t shameless self promotion). https://on.soundcloud.com/VvfJAhhy9HKPEa2S8
 

if you listen to the very beginning of the song and in the verses you can hear the ‘knocking’ sound I’m talking about. I realise that it was probably stupid to to include an example in the first place lol. 

[Andyjr1515]

Yes - I hear it (nice song BTW  )

 

Something we should have asked earlier - can you hear anything like it when it's played the same but not plugged in?

[neepheid]

Thanks for sharing the song - don't be shy!

 

Agree would really need to hear it in isolation - in the context of the song it doesn't sound "unintentional", if that makes any sense, so it makes it hard to wonder what the problem is.

[mybass]

Are you hitting the pickups by chance? They can be hit down against the foam or springs and when they spring/return back up to the screw height, can make ‘knock’ sound.

[gjones]

Put some tape over the top of the pickup to shield it from your fingers. If the noise stops it was because your fingers were hitting the pole pieces of the pickup.

 

If not then it's a poltergeist 😱