Whistling noise after replacing strings

[ClaytonMUSE]

I use a Peavey Millenium AC bxp 4 string bass(Awesome bass, especially for £220), and I just replaced the stock strings with some Stadium Elites 45-105, and everytime I play an open D I get a strange whistling sound from the bass, it doesn't do it at all if I play any fret, just open, it doesn't really affect my play but it's kind of annoying and it could be a sign of a bigger problem I don't know, thanks in advance

[BeyondFiredUp]

I had this issue with my Schaller bridge a few times. It has usually been (in my case) one of the springs that are the ones for the screws for intonation, that is, the ones that allow the saddle to go toward the neck or back toward the bridge. Sometimes they are touching just a tiny bit onto the screw instead of just surrounding it. And they WILL vibrate sometimes if they are touching the screw, causing the noise you speak of. Sorry if that's not the problem you might be having, but it was in my case.

[Fliptrique]

You have probably twisted the sting while putting it on. Just detune, take it off, put it again trying not to twist it - should solve the problem.

[ClaytonMUSE]

Originally Posted by BeyondFiredUp

I had this issue with my Schaller bridge a few times. It has usually been (in my case) one of the springs that are the ones for the screws for intonation, that is, the ones that allow the saddle to go toward the neck or back toward the bridge. Sometimes they are touching just a tiny bit onto the screw instead of just surrounding it. And they WILL vibrate sometimes if they are touching the screw, causing the noise you speak of. Sorry if that's not the problem you might be having, but it was in my case.

It's definitely not that because of the bridge I'm using it's not touching any of that, although there is some weird bit of metal hanging out which I thought might have been causing it but it's behind the saddle, and the string doesn't vibrate after the saddle?

Originally Posted by Fliptrique

You have probably twisted the sting while putting it on. Just detune, take it off, put it again trying not to twist it - should solve the problem.

I just did it twice and I was very careful about it, but I still got the problem. It sounds like it's coming from the bridge but It could be coming from the higher frets aswell I'm not sure.


I might try and get a video posted up so you guys can see exactly whats going on but I'll have to search for the cable I need for camera to laptop

[SurferJoe46]

This is caused by NOT having the mystery holes drilled into the body, hidden under your pickguard, like many Fender basses.

Those holes keep this sound from being generated, and I guess Peavey hasn't caught on to this important technology yet.

If after you drill a lot of holes and the sound is still there, I am betting on the bridge being the culprit.


DISCLAIMER: I do not advocate drilling holes into any bass for this reason.
However, if you drill holes into several of your friend's guitars, this will be a good thing.

[ClaytonMUSE]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

This is caused by NOT having the mystery holes drilled into the body, hidden under your pickguard, like many Fender basses.

Those holes keep this sound from being generated, and I guess Peavey hasn't caught on to this important technology yet.

If after you drill a lot of holes and the sound is still there, I am betting on the bridge being the culprit.


DISCLAIMER: I do not advocate drilling holes into any bass for this reason.
However, if you drill holes into several of your friend's guitars, this will be a good thing.

Yeah that sounds like something that could be causing it, I'll get right on to it! Haha, I think I'll take it into the guitar centre, I've fiddled around with it enough to know I won't be able to locate and eliminate the problem myself, and I won't be able to get up some pictures or videos or anything. Thanks for the suggestions though guys.

[slyjoe]

Originally Posted by ClaytonMUSE

It's definitely not that because of the bridge I'm using it's not touching any of that, although there is some weird bit of metal hanging out which I thought might have been causing it but it's behind the saddle, and the string doesn't vibrate after the saddle?

...snip

Vibrations of the string can affect every part of the bridge.

Weird piece of metal hanging out? You think you might want to look at that first?

[ClaytonMUSE]

Originally Posted by slyjoe

Vibrations of the string can affect every part of the bridge.

Weird piece of metal hanging out? You think you might want to look at that first?

Yeah, it's in the thru-body hole where the string comes out onto the bridge, I can't get a picture up at the moment though :/