Bridge rattle on a Squier

[Webtroll]

I bought a used Squier Jazz bass to see how I felt about Jazz basses and have come to like it. The strings on it were dead and instead of just replacing them I got a setup done by a retired guy who does great work *but* is a little deaf in the upper registers. I got the bass back and it plays beautifully and has great low action with a set of Rotosound nickel round wound strings *but* if I hit the strings aggressively the bridge rattles.

The noise is most pronounced on the D string if played hard with my fingers. If I reach around with my fretting hand and squeeze the saddles together the noise doesn't occur. It's possible that there's not enough angle on the bridge to push the saddles down hard enough, but I really like the way it's set up right now.

Here is a side picture of the bridge if it helps at all. Getting a Badass bridge is not an option as I don't particularly like them (besides I like the look of traditional Fender type bridges on Fender basses and guitars).



I did search the issue and found hits regarding adjustments and loose nuts and stuff but not an exact match and solution (granted I didn't read far past the first page of hits, they started getting old anyways and wouldn't mind the boards revisiting the issue if it's not new).

[BellBottomBlues]

I find that sometimes the G or the D string rattles on the stock fender bridges. In my experience its usually the spring on the saddle has too much slack and vibrates when I pluck the string hard. My solution is just to get a set-up.

[Webtroll]

I've taken springs off of basses before if they weren't providing enough tension with no ill effect, but I'll see if I can locate a replacement screw. What really chaps me is that I just paid for a setup from someone who couldn't hear the noise (aside from advanced age the tech is also a gun nut, old rocker and used to race boats and cars; I guess he's lucky to still be able to hear at all).

[John Wentzien]

I've streched the spring a little bit longer with 2 pairs of needle-nosed pliers before. Got rid of the noise.

[Khronic]

Try replacing the springs. Go with something a little stronger. If a stouter spring doesn't do it, you may have to replace the bridge with something aftermarket. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

[dinghy]

Or do it the ghetto way... put a little piece of paper in between whatever is rattling. That's what I did on my Ibanez and it worked perfectly. It just makes you look poor is all.

[BassBob185]

put a small piece of masking tape at various points (one at a time) on the bridge to see if you can locate the offending buzzard. place it across the spring, then saddle, then screw head.....and so on.

[kyral210]

Here are some things to check

1) higher gauge strings (not rotosound, they have no tone, go or d'addario strings every time!)

2) raise the saddles up by small amounts to increase their downwards tensions.

3) check intonation, is it right?

4) is the bridge properly screwed down?


Ultimately, a squire jazz is as much of a Fender Jazz as I am Jeordie White. We both play bass, and have the same gear, but im just not him!

[UBU]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

I've streched the spring a little bit longer with 2 pairs of needle-nosed pliers before. Got rid of the noise.

+1 . Same here

[Webtroll]

Well it's not spring noise but I tried the stretch trick anyways, no joy. I'm trying to figure out if I'm going to have to replace the bridge (which I don't want to do because I'd get something similar again) or shim the neck to increase string pressure on the saddle when raised.

Actually as much as I hate paying for back to back setups the guy who setup my P did an amazing job, I may take it to him for an eval.

[Webtroll]

I took the springs off entirely; it's not the springs 100% for sure.

[laboitenoire]

I've got the exact same problem with my SX. I'm pretty sure the problem is that the saddles are wiggling from side to side on some strings (probably not enough downward force on them?), and the rattling is from the saddles bumping together. Just as a note, my Peavey uses a similar bridge design (the saddles are identical to those that Fender uses), and it has no problem, probably because the bridge is grooved to keep the saddles in place.

[idoru]

Originally Posted by laboitenoire

Just as a note, my Peavey uses a similar bridge design (the saddles are identical to those that Fender uses), and it has no problem, probably because the bridge is grooved to keep the saddles in place.

Bingo. My ATK 300 has grooves, my MIM Jazz does not. Guess which one has bridge buzz? A Gotoh 201B is being shipped to me as I type this

[Anscari]

Im sure, in a 99%, that it's the saddle hitting the other saddles at a very high speed. I had the same problem on a washburn bridge, with the G-string. (the bridge had like "walls" at the ends, and the saddle hitted that walls). I reccomend to put a bit of duct tape or something in the two sides of the saddle, and see if you get rid of it.

[Webtroll]

Originally Posted by kyral210

4) is the bridge properly screwed down?

At first I thought this was a dumb question but now that I think about it you may be on to something. I will check this when I get home tonight.