Buzz/rattle: not fret buzz, not bridge.

GeezerDeacon69 · #1 07-23-2011, 04:38 PM

Hello.

After spending hours on the internet and literally taking apart the bass, I STILL have this buzz/rattle on the E and A strings. Bass is a Squier precision.

The noise seems to be coming from the around the center of the body. It's not the pickups or any of the hardware. Adjusted saddles and truss rod; the action is fairly high.

Anyone have any ideas about what this might be?

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

testing1two · #2 07-23-2011, 04:55 PM

If you play a note in 2nd or 3rd position on the E and A strings, does the rattle still happen or is it primarily when you play the open strings?

GeezerDeacon69 · #3 07-23-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

If you play a note in 2nd or 3rd position on the E and A strings, does the rattle still happen or is it primarily when you play the open strings?

It does it on all the frets and on the open strings

testing1two · #4 07-23-2011, 05:13 PM

Ok, so we can probably rule out down pressure behind the nut but just to be safe, make sure the E and A strings are wound around the bottom part of the tuning post so the string's break angle from the nut to the tuner is as steep as possible. The D and G strings have a string tree to accomplish the same thing.

Next, how much relief do you have in the neck and what do you have the action set to? Also, what is the distance between the top coil of the pickup and the strings?

In the meantime, if you want to eliminate more variables, remove the pickguard and see of the rattle still happens. That will take the pots, output jack, pickups, and pickguard out of the equation, leaving only the neck, tuners, body and bridge to vibrate.

GeezerDeacon69 · #5 07-23-2011, 05:25 PM

Thanks for your help.

Strings have nice angle from the nut to tuner.

Okay, with pickguard off, it still makes the noise. Action is quite high with a bit of neck relief but not excessive.

Distance between top coil of pickup and the strings is just under half an inch.

DESRTpunk · #6 07-23-2011, 05:29 PM

I had a pal who had a squeaky guitar strap that you could hear through the amp every time he moved... Try taking the strap off?

testing1two · #7 07-23-2011, 05:49 PM

Try adding a little more relief. If you have feeler gauges or calipers, try something in the neighborhood of 1/16" (.0625) or 2mm (guitar picks are handy tools for approximate measurements). The amount of relief needed will depend on how straight and true your neck and frets are. It sounds like you may have some issues with the frets or the fingerboard not being level. It's common for fingerboards to develop a rise towards the end of the neck like a ski jump which would explain much of your problem. It's also reasonable to assume that the fretwork on a Squier is not going to be without some flaws.

GeezerDeacon69 · #8 07-23-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

Try adding a little more relief. If you have feeler gauges or calipers, try something in the neighborhood of 1/16" (.0625) or 2mm (guitar picks are handy tools for approximate measurements). The amount of relief needed will depend on how straight and true your neck and frets are. It sounds like you may have some issues with the frets or the fingerboard not being level. It's common for fingerboards to develop a rise towards the end of the neck like a ski jump which would explain much of your problem. It's also reasonable to assume that the fretwork on a Squier is not going to be without some flaws.

I'll try more relief. Thank you VERY much for your suggestions!

96tbird · #9 07-23-2011, 05:51 PM

Yesterday I had my strings off to change tuners. When I put them back I had a rattle on the a. After 15 mins messing with it I discovered the intonation screw wasn't seated tight against the tail. LOL. Pushed it tight, problem fixed. Any possibility you have the same issue?

testing1two · #10 07-23-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerDeacon69

I'll try more relief. Thank you VERY much for your suggestions!

Hopefully you can find a happy medium that will make the bass playable. If the bass simply can't be adjusted to your liking a fret leveling will likely be required.

Please keep in mind this is all speculation since I can't see or hear the problem. A trip to you your local tech may reveal a simpler, cheaper solution.

Good luck!!!

wraub · #11 07-23-2011, 09:43 PM

You might also try tightening the screws that hold the tuners to the peghead.
Just a thought. Also check that the nut is securely attached.

wraub

XylemBassGuitar · #12 07-24-2011, 09:12 AM

Can you hear the rattle through an amp when the bass is plugged in? Or do you only hear the rattle "acoustically"?

GeoffByrne · #13 07-24-2011, 03:48 PM

The 'elephant ears' on the tuners sometimes get loose on their shafts - get someone to hold the tuners while you play & see if it makes any difference - the fact that the rattle *seems* to be coming from the body may be a trick of the ear.

96tbird · #14 07-24-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

The 'elephant ears' on the tuners sometimes get loose on their shafts - get someone to hold the tuners while you play & see if it makes any difference - the fact that the rattle *seems* to be coming from the body may be a trick of the ear.

This is so true. *seems* being the operative word! If this proves to be the case, you need to remove the big gear on the back, under it is a steel plate take it off and bend the end that goes under the worm gear a bit and reassemble. The plate is there for exactly that purpose.