Strange noise after truss adjustment

DRafalske · #1 12-29-2010, 11:39 AM

I'm having a problem with my '06 HWY1 Precision. I replaced the strings the other night and decided while I was at it to tighten the truss rod slightly as there was a bit too much relief for my liking. I should add that I replaced the strings with the same brand and gauge I took off (D'Addario Chromes, .45-.100) I don't have a ball-end allen wrench, so I took the neck off the body to make the adjustment. I've done this before without issues. Tightened the truss about 3/8 turn, reassembled and re-strung. Action is right where I want it now, but digging in on the open E produces a strange rattling noise. It is NOT fret buzz. It seems to come from the entire bass; can't really narrow it down to anything in particular. Fretted notes sound fine, and it's only the open E. No other string is affected. What should I look for? How can I correct? I'm not new to doing my own setups and I'm comfortable making adjustments, just never run into this before. There is a shim in the neck pocket, by the way. Half a business card.
Thanks!
Dave

fenderphil · #2 12-29-2010, 11:41 AM

did you put on smaller strings?

it could be rattling at the nut.

Alex E · #3 12-29-2010, 11:44 AM

I think this is a very minor problem.

I would get a ball-end wrench so you don't have to remove the neck again to adjust the truss rod.

I have had a truss rod buzz inside the neck after adjusting it. My guess is that a slight tweak in either direction will take that rattle/buzz away. That's how it was for me.

**pacojas** · #4 12-29-2010, 11:47 AM

^^^ this, or
re-tighten/torque the neck screws, maybe they didn't seat well.

DRafalske · #5 12-29-2010, 01:12 PM

I did not change string gauge.
Yes, I do need to get a ball-end wrench. I've been lazy. I'll pick one up and make another slight adjustment and see if it helps.
I suppose it's possible the neck is not correctly seated, but the pocket is pretty tight. However, I dare not tighten the screws any further for fear of stripping the holes.

Thanks for the guidance so far. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks again!
Dave

JCooper · #6 12-29-2010, 02:48 PM

Possibly nut or tuning machine-related...I've had a couple of strings(over the years) make weird rattling sounds, sounds which would stop when I rested my finger on the string above the nut. Swapped the string, rattle gone. Hope this helps.

60bass · #7 12-29-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRafalske

I did not change string gauge.
Yes, I do need to get a ball-end wrench. I've been lazy. I'll pick one up and make another slight adjustment and see if it helps.
I suppose it's possible the neck is not correctly seated, but the pocket is pretty tight. However, I dare not tighten the screws any further for fear of stripping the holes.

Thanks for the guidance so far. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks again!
Dave

A ball end hex wrench is the only way to go on those necks. You should be able to tap on the headstock and see if you can hear or feel if the rod is slightly loose. I agree with Alex E that it's probably that the rod just needs a minor tweak. I've had that happen before.

Another thing I've had happen is that the tuning key is rattling cause the key has a somewhat loose screw on the peg or has a minor flat spot in the gearing. Try loosening the string, tighten everything up and try it again. Try all the other usual stuff, bridge rattle where the string passes over. On BAII bridges I've had it where the saddle was forward farther than the spring and it caused a rattle cause there was no tension on the spring. The nut slot can cause it too. The string can look like it sits right in the nut but can still rattle because the slot is just a smidge too big.

I've seen bad strings do that too if you manually wrap them around the peg instead of winding them on, and with roundwounds if you have to cut them shorter for the E string. They're OK till you get on them and then they rattle.

Still thinkin truss rod adjustment though.

Keep Low

Grant Bass · #8 12-29-2010, 09:53 PM

ya. i chased an awful rattle for ever, turned out to be the washer on the tuners;i checked em all, and they were all tight, exept for that one; couldnt move it with my hand, but the washer had just enuff play to make that noise errrrr that was a nightmare

DRafalske · #9 12-30-2010, 06:30 AM

I made a couple small adjustments to the truss, tightening and loosening, no effect.
99% sure it's not coming from the bridge.
Tuners seem fine. Did find a loose screw on the back of the head. Tightened it, no change.
I do make the first wrap around the tuning peg by hand rather than winding it on. I removed the string and straightened it, and wound it on fully. No change.
The entire bass seems to reverberate with this crazy rattle/buzz. It sounds like I'm using a distortion pedal... whether plugged into my amp or not.
I did however notice that when I press on the string between the nut and tuner peg, the noise lessens.
I think the stock string set used a .110 E string, and my Chromes are .100. This is the first issue I've had, but it leads me to strongly suspect the nut.

It's going to my tech this afternoon. I'll let y'all know what it turns out to be.
Sucks I can't play it for this weekend's gigs... It's my #1. Oh well.

D

Stilettoprefer · #10 12-30-2010, 01:52 PM

I found that the strap button was loose on a bass and the low E rattled it. I spent about an hour checking EVERYTHING except the strap buttons. Stuck a toothpick in it, tightened it up and no more rattles.

60bass · #11 12-30-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRafalske

I did however notice that when I press on the string between the nut and tuner peg, the noise lessens.
I think the stock string set used a .110 E string, and my Chromes are .100. This is the first issue I've had, but it leads me to strongly suspect the nut.

It's going to my tech this afternoon. I'll let y'all know what it turns out to be.
Sucks I can't play it for this weekend's gigs... It's my #1. Oh well.

D

BINGO nut slot too wide. The kicker is that you said it lessens if you press on the string. That puts pressure on it and helps keep it steady in the slot. I've used .105's in a .110 slot with no issues but going down to a .100 will probably cause issues.

I'm sure you already know this but I mention it anyway because sometimes we have a brain fart and miss something. Are you sure that you have the windings going so they pull the string angle down from the nut to the bottom on the peg? In other words, winding from the top down? If not, you're running straight from the nut to the top of the peg and not getting enough down angle coming off the nut. That will lessen tension somewhat and cause a rattle at the nut.

Good luck and let us know what your tech says.

Keep Low