Palatino VE-500 Problem - Buzzing Headstock

[davinci123]

I received a VE-500 today that I bought from ebay. I bought it from the original owner (at least I hope that I did).

To my dismay. after I tune the bass I can hear buzzing from the headstock when playing certain notes! For example, playing B on the G-string makes the headstock ring. It sounds like the noise is coming from the part of the machine heads that hold the stings in place.

I don't know what to do. I spent $560 on this thing and I want this to be an easy fix. I bought the thing used because of the savings over retail price. If I have to take it to a shop they'll probably charge me at least $100 to look at.



Help me! Any ideas?

[akmusicfreak]

There is already a thread to post these queries.....
Your strings might be rapped loose in the headstock.
Might be an easy fix.

[davinci123]

Originally Posted by akmusicfreak

There is already a thread to post these queries.....
Your strings might be rapped loose in the headstock.
Might be an easy fix.

Thanks! I'll try that. In the future what thread should I use to post these types of questions?

[pmarche]

You can usually pin point exactly what is loose by hit the note then using your right hand to touch parts in the area you are hearing the rattling. When you find the loose part your rattling will stop. Then the magic comes in many forms... glue, felt, tape, screw driver, etc.

Examples: the very end of my tuning pin (part you grab on to when tuning) was loose from the rest of the tuning pin on one of my electrics... I bent the clamps tighter with some plyers (be sure you put a cloth between the plyers and metal so you don't make any scratches. I use to have a cheap metal tailpiece on one of my uprights that use to rattle... I placed a piece of velcro (the felt side) between the wood and the metal tailpiece and that seemed to do it. When you make these fixes just make sure you think them through so you don't scratch, break or make your bass look like it is a hack job. I have complete confidence in you!!! Your a fellow bassman!!! Peace, PMARCHE

Originally Posted by davinci123

I received a VE-500 today that I bought from ebay. I bought it from the original owner (at least I hope that I did).

To my dismay. after I tune the bass I can hear buzzing from the headstock when playing certain notes! For example, playing B on the G-string makes the headstock ring. It sounds like the noise is coming from the part of the machine heads that hold the stings in place.

I don't know what to do. I spent $560 on this thing and I want this to be an easy fix. I bought the thing used because of the savings over retail price. If I have to take it to a shop they'll probably charge me at least $100 to look at.



Help me! Any ideas?

[davinci123]

Originally Posted by pmarche

You can usually pin point exactly what is loose by hit the note then using your right hand to touch parts in the area you are hearing the rattling. When you find the loose part your rattling will stop. Then the magic comes in many forms... glue, felt, tape, screw driver, etc.

Examples: the very end of my tuning pin (part you grab on to when tuning) was loose from the rest of the tuning pin on one of my electrics... I bent the clamps tighter with some plyers (be sure you put a cloth between the plyers and metal so you don't make any scratches. I use to have a cheap metal tailpiece on one of my uprights that use to rattle... I placed a piece of velcro (the felt side) between the wood and the metal tailpiece and that seemed to do it. When you make these fixes just make sure you think them through so you don't scratch, break or make your bass look like it is a hack job. I have complete confidence in you!!! Your a fellow bassman!!! Peace, PMARCHE

Thanks for the great advice! I tracked down the noise to the truss rod. Is this a bad sign in your experience? Which direction should I tighten the truss rod? clockwise or counter-clockwise?

[rllefebv]

Originally Posted by davinci123

Thanks for the great advice! I tracked down the noise to the truss rod. Is this a bad sign in your experience? Which direction should I tighten the truss rod? clockwise or counter-clockwise?

This is where my buzzing was coming from. The truss rod is pretty un-necessary on these basses IMO... Mine was completely loose... I just turned it clockwise to slightly engage it, and viola! Buzz disappeared

FWIW, I got my Jack Casady bass years ago at a steal because the seller couldn't pinpoint the buzzing and didn't want to pay for expensive repairs... Same deal!! Both basses are killin'!!

-robert

[davinci123]

Originally Posted by rllefebv

This is where my buzzing was coming from. The truss rod is pretty un-necessary on these basses IMO... Mine was completely loose... I just turned it clockwise to slightly engage it, and viola! Buzz disappeared

FWIW, I got my Jack Casady bass years ago at a steal because the seller couldn't pinpoint the buzzing and didn't want to pay for expensive repairs... Same deal!! Both basses are killin'!!

-robert

Thanks for the tip! That was the problem. The rod was actually lose until I turned it a bit clockwise. No buzz now!