Annoying rattle - Squier fretless Jazz

[jakelly]

I just acquired a used Squier VM fretless Jazz. It was in sorry shape when I got it with 3 broken tuning machines and bad adjustments. I've been trying to work the bugs out and get it set up nicely. I replaced the tuners already. Installed new strings, Fender 9120 tape wounds. I did lower the nut some, as it was too high. It probably would have been OK on a fretted bass, but too tall for good action in the 1st and 2nd positions. I didn't mess with the grooves, just sanded some off the bottom.

When the C to D notes are played on the G string (5th to 7th positions), I get an annoying rattle (not a buzz so much as a rattle). I can't tell where its coming from. All hardware is tight, truss rod is adjusted right about where I want it, strings are plenty high and clearance at the end of the fingerboard seems adequate. The neck has a sandpaper shim in the neck pocket from the factory, to get good saddle height on the bridge.

I hope something on the truss rod inside the neck isn't rattling.

Any ideas? Thanks

[mongo2]

My first thought was the trussrod or tuners may be rattling. Have you checked the bridge for looseness of the saddles, screws, or springs?

[JLS]

Originally Posted by jakelly

I just acquired a used Squier VM fretless Jazz. It was in sorry shape when I got it with 3 broken tuning machines and bad adjustments. I've been trying to work the bugs out and get it set up nicely. I replaced the tuners already. Installed new strings, Fender 9120 tape wounds. I did lower the nut some, as it was too high. It probably would have been OK on a fretted bass, but too tall for good action in the 1st and 2nd positions. I didn't mess with the grooves, just sanded some off the bottom.

When the C to D notes are played on the G string (5th to 7th positions), I get an annoying rattle (not a buzz so much as a rattle). I can't tell where its coming from. All hardware is tight, truss rod is adjusted right about where I want it, strings are plenty high and clearance at the end of the fingerboard seems adequate. The neck has a sandpaper shim in the neck pocket from the factory, to get good saddle height on the bridge.

I hope something on the truss rod inside the neck isn't rattling.

Any ideas? Thanks

That's right where the dead spot would be. Do you notice a decrease in sustain, too?

[jakelly]

Originally Posted by mongo2

My first thought was the trussrod or tuners may be rattling. Have you checked the bridge for looseness of the saddles, screws, or springs?

I can't find anything loose, anywhere. Can the truss rod actually rattle even if under tension? Because its under tension, strings up to pitch and all. The neck actually has a pretty nice adjustment now (when I bought the bass, it looked like a ski jump - very curved).

Originally Posted by JLS

That's right where the dead spot would be. Do you notice a decrease in sustain, too?

Only a very slight deadspot apparent at the C note. The C# is slightly more pronounced with a little drop off on sustain, but neither is as noticeable as on some basses I've played. When playing actual music, I don't think these deadspots will be noticeable at all.

Actually, I was just playing the bass acoustically, and noticed that the rattle seems to be less than it was yesterday. Neck settling in?

Its a nice sounding bass. Duncan designed pups. I was surprised to see they had cloth wiring, FWIW.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by jakelly

I can't find anything loose, anywhere. Can the truss rod actually rattle even if under tension?

You can try changing the tension on the trussrod and see it that changes anything.