Bad rattle

Aloderdrg · #1 11-07-2009, 02:03 PM

I just attempted to set up my bass (Squire P-bass) for the first time. I put Fender Nickle 7250s on it, but I have a huge rattle on the A string. When I press down above the nut on the string the rattle stops. I tried adjusting the saddle and the truss rod top no avail. Any suggestions to make it stop? Thanks!

ByF · #2 11-07-2009, 07:55 PM

Is the string wound from the top down, so you have good down pressure at the nut?

Ed

202dy · #3 11-07-2009, 09:23 PM

See attached.

Aloderdrg · #4 11-08-2009, 11:36 AM

Yup made sure of that but still rattles really bad

202dy · #5 11-08-2009, 12:08 PM

That's the easy fix.

Please measure string heights at the twelfth and last frets and the relief at the seventh fret. Post the information here and someone will help you.

Aloderdrg · #6 11-08-2009, 10:27 PM

Twelfth fret = 0.8 cm
Last fret = 0.8 cm
Relief at seventh fret = 0.3 cm

ByF · #7 11-08-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aloderdrg

Twelfth fret = 0.8 cm
Last fret = 0.8 cm
Relief at seventh fret = 0.3 cm

I hope you mean mm and not cm.

0.3 mm is not much relief, but it's not too far out of the norm. But 0.8 mm is extremely low action--I'm surprised only one string is rattling.

I would suggest 0.4 mm relief, and about 2 mm action at the 12th fret.

If you really are talking about cm, well, you better take that bass back where you bought it. If you can't get the action any lower than that, something is seriously wrong.

Have you checked for loose screws and nuts? Maybe the nuts on the tuners?

Ed

202dy · #8 11-09-2009, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aloderdrg

Twelfth fret = 0.8 cm
Last fret = 0.8 cm
Relief at seventh fret = 0.3 cm

For our non-metric friends, assuming the OP means millimeters:

Seventh fret ~ .012"
Twelfth fret ~ 2/64"
Last fret ~ 2/64"

To amplify on ByF's comments, this is ridiculously low action. This is not to say that you cannot set up a guitar to work properly at this height. However, it will require perfect fretwork, flawless set up and a light touch if rattle free playing is desired.

Most techs and luthiers consider an average low set up to be 6/64" and 5/64" at the twelfth fret bass and treble sides respectively. That is roughly 2.5mm and 2mm.

If the OP is actually referring to centimeters, a neck shim will be required to correct the geometry of the instrument. It would be prudent to check the neck screws to determine whether or not the neck is attached tightly to the body.

Bruce Lindfield · #9 11-09-2009, 07:07 AM

Yeah - you need to read Anthony Jackson's articles about setup - where he explains how you need a super flat fretboard for low action...?

Aloderdrg · #10 11-09-2009, 09:16 AM

There is no loose rattle in any of the nuts and bolts. The action up by the 1st fret is completely ridiculously low. I'm still not sure why its only the A string....

ByF · #11 11-09-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aloderdrg

There is no loose rattle in any of the nuts and bolts. The action up by the 1st fret is completely ridiculously low. I'm still not sure why its only the A string....

Maybe because it's ridiculously low? Maybe the nut slot on the A string is cut a little deeper than the rest?

Ed

Aloderdrg · #12 11-09-2009, 09:48 PM

All the other strings are just as low, and the nut cut a roughly the same height... hmmm

202dy · #13 11-09-2009, 10:03 PM

Are the saddles radiused to the fingerboard and to allow clearance for the wider vibration of the lower strings?

Have you raised the saddles to eliminate the ridiculously low action?

Raising the string heights will probably eliminate the problem. Keep and eye toward correcting any problems with radius.

Aloderdrg · #14 11-09-2009, 10:12 PM

i think i may have simply cut the string to short....

202dy · #15 11-10-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aloderdrg

i think i may have simply cut the string to short....

That implies there is a lack of down angle between the nut and tuner.

ByF · #16 11-10-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aloderdrg

All the other strings are just as low, and the nut cut a roughly the same height... hmmm

"Roughly" the same height is not very useful information information in this case--you can measure that to within a couple thousandths of an inch using feeler gages, and that's the kind of accuracy what you need. If one of the nut slots is too low by a few thousandths of an inch and the action is already ridiculously low, that string is going to rattle.

.001" = .025 mm

Ed

wellshuxley · #17 11-10-2009, 09:02 AM

Does it still rattle when you hold the pickups in place with your thumb? I had this problem when I got my Squier CV Jazz last week. It turned out to be some rough edges in the area where the pick guard meets the pickups (both middle and bridge). I removed the pick guard and smoothed out the pickup holes with a pocket knife and the rattle is gone.

Aloderdrg · #18 11-10-2009, 09:16 AM

i"m pretty sure its the string length. I'll bring it in to my local music shop see what they think.

202dy · #19 11-10-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByF

"Roughly" the same height is not very useful information information in this case--you can measure that to within a couple thousandths of an inch using feeler gages, and that's the kind of accuracy what you need. If one of the nut slots is too low by a few thousandths of an inch and the action is already ridiculously low, that string is going to rattle.

.001" = .025 mm

Ed

"Roughly" in our world is .002" give or take a half a thou, allowing for humidity, temperature, and wind speed.

For those who are numerophobic, that is less than the thickness of a sheet of notebook paper.