New String rattling

[Dave-Action-Fig]

Hello,

I have problem. I bought some new strings the other day and put them on. But now my A string is rattling like hell. It also sounds thinner. Will it go away? If not what should I do? I am a bit worried because I'm going into a studio this weekend.

Any help?


Cheers,
Dave

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Dave-Action-Fig

Hello,

I have problem. I bought some new strings the other day and put them on. But now my A string is rattling like hell. It also sounds thinner. Will it go away? If not what should I do? I am a bit worried because I'm going into a studio this weekend.

Any help?


Cheers,
Dave

If it did not do that with the previous string, you may have a bad string. If the core breaks, but the winding remains intact, the broken core vibrates every time you strike the string.

Ideally, you can get your hands on a single replacement for that A and put it to the test.

Also, check the string break over the nut. As the string passes the nut groove, it should angle down toward the headstock slightly. If not, unwind and re-wind the string on the tuning post and be sure the string is far enough down on the post to cause an angle break at the nut.

[Dave-Action-Fig]

No I didn't had it with my previous string. But it sounds like fret-buzzing.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Dave-Action-Fig

No I didn't had it with my previous string. But it sounds like fret-buzzing.

What gauge did you have on previously, and did you go to a lighter gauge? If you went to a lighter gauge, this may have allowed the relief in the neck to change, the neck became straighter, and the action is now lower than before. This should affect more than one string though.

[cnltb]

You may just have a dud string on...it happens.
I'd have the manufacturer replace the broken string.

[Dave-Action-Fig]

No it's exactly the same string set as the previous one. D'addario EPS170-5SL.
I certainly don't hope my neck set is ****ed up or something like that.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Dave-Action-Fig

No it's exactly the same string set as the previous one. D'addario EPS170-5SL.
I certainly don't hope my neck set is ****ed up or something like that.

Then it's not fret rattle, and wouldn't think anything is wrong with the neck.

It's probably one of my first two suggestions. Check the string break over the nut first. If that's not it, replace with another same-gauge A string.

[Dave-Action-Fig]

Alright, will do.
Thanks for the help!

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Dave-Action-Fig

No it's exactly the same string set as the previous one. D'addario EPS170-5SL.
I certainly don't hope my neck set is ****ed up or something like that.

That doesn't mean anything.
Nothing at all.
You saying that it is exactly the same as the previous one suggests that you changed strings, no?
Each set is not the same as the next. Even if the "model name" is the same.
Broken string do creep in sometimes.

[debassr]

Every time I put new strings on a bass I find that I almost always need to re-adjust the action and/or trussrod. My money is on fret buzz due to a different level of string tension which is either reducing or increasing neck relief, which is in turn causing that string to be too close to the fretboard either in the middle or outer ends of the neck.

Also be prepared to re-adjust as the strings break in.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by cnltb

That doesn't mean anything.
Nothing at all.
You saying that it is exactly the same as the previous one suggests that you changed strings, no?
Each set is not the same as the next. Even if the "model name" is the same.
Broken string do creep in sometimes.

He was answering my question about string gauge. If he had gone to another gauge, that could mean something, he was merely confirming that he kept the gauge and brand exactly the same.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by debassr

Every time I put new strings on a bass I find that I almost always need to re-adjust the action and/or trussrod. My money is on fret buzz due to a different level of string tension which is either reducing or increasing neck relief, which is in turn causing that string to be too close to the fretboard either in the middle or outer ends of the neck.

Also be prepared to re-adjust as the strings break in.

I would agree, if he had gone to a different string gauge. He kept the gauge and even the brand exactly the same. The tension on the neck should be exactly the same as well.

Why would the same exact strings suddenly cause fret buzz?

[debassr]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I would agree, if he had gone to a different string gauge. He kept the gauge and even the brand exactly the same. The tension on the neck should be exactly the same as well.

Why would the same exact strings suddenly cause fret buzz?

Because strings lose some tension over time.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by debassr

Because strings lose some tension over time.

They would then have to be tuned back up to pitch, causing the same amount of tension on the neck, no?

I've never had to re-intonate after time spent playing a set of strings unless the neck relief changed due to humidity changes.

[debassr]

Originally Posted by One Drop

They would then have to be tuned back up to pitch, causing the same amount of tension on the neck, no?

I've never had to re-intonate after time spent playing a set of strings unless the neck relief changed due to humidity changes.

All I know is that new sets of strings on my gear seem to pull a little harder on the neck and I usually have to add a bit of truss rod tension to compensate. After a few weeks, the tension seems to subside and I find myself loosening the truss rod a bit to compensate.

Maybe it's all in my head, but I play with crazy low action so I think even minor changes to the action (and their solutions) become really apparent.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by debassr

Maybe it's all in my head, but I play with crazy low action so I think even minor changes to the action (and their solutions) become really apparent.

That could be, and if OP plays with crazy low action he should take that into consideration.

An easy way to test the theory is to raise the A string saddle to the point that it couldn't possibly cause fret buzz. If string still buzzes, broken string. If not, it might be fret buzz.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

He was answering my question about string gauge. If he had gone to another gauge, that could mean something, he was merely confirming that he kept the gauge and brand exactly the same.

Ah, I see.
I missed that one.

[Dave-Action-Fig]

I play with pretty high action. Question, with broken strings should it still make noise if I hit softer? With some riffs I play with my band I need to play a bit louder and it does make more noise then. When I play really gently I get no noise.

[JimmyM]

What was the story with the string break angle? That's what it sounds like to me. You should leave as much string as possible to wind around the A string post on Fender style basses.