Rattling string....

adonaldson1986 · #1 01-22-2009, 02:58 PM

I need help guys.

Whenever im playing my bass the strings are rattling really badly off of the frets. I took a friends advice and raised the bridge up, which to be honest really doesnt seem to have helped.

Everytime I play a string, it just rattles and you cant even make out the notes its that bad

Any ideas what I can do

beelzelboss · #2 01-22-2009, 05:11 PM

its most likely your technique.. Bass strings rattle, thus they need room.
Thought i would never be the person to say this because it was my main problem for a year, but

Turn up your amp, and stop hitting the strings so hard. its as easy as that. don't hit it as hard, less it rattles, or until it stops, easy as that.

gmahoog · #3 01-23-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonaldson1986

I need help guys.

Whenever im playing my bass the strings are rattling really badly off of the frets. I took a friends advice and raised the bridge up, which to be honest really doesnt seem to have helped.

It could be you need to have your truss rod adjusted. The neck needs a little bow in it to prevent rattles. I recently adjusted my bass and I used the procedure from the Gary Willis book "101 Tips". I lowered the strings all the way down. If the buzz is from the 12th fret up, you have to much bow and the truss rod needs tightening (clockwise). If the buzz is from frets 1-5, you don't have enough bow and you need to loosen the truss rod (counter clockwise). The adjustments will possibly need to take effect over several days. Don't turn the truss rod more than 1/4 turn in a 24 hour period.

After you have even buzz up and down the neck, you are ready for string height adjustment.

You also need to be sure to check the intonation after changing the height of the strings and truss rod adjustment.

I'd suggest taking it to a qualified tech if you're new to this sort of thing.

adonaldson1986 · #4 01-23-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

its most likely your technique.. Bass strings rattle, thus they need room.
Thought i would never be the person to say this because it was my main problem for a year, but

Turn up your amp, and stop hitting the strings so hard. its as easy as that. don't hit it as hard, less it rattles, or until it stops, easy as that.

I dont think its the technique, this is ratting like crazy, really loud and akward sounding. Even when I play "gently" it doesnt matter, it does it anyway

adonaldson1986 · #5 01-23-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmahoog

It could be you need to have your truss rod adjusted. The neck needs a little bow in it to prevent rattles. I recently adjusted my bass and I used the procedure from the Gary Willis book "101 Tips". I lowered the strings all the way down. If the buzz is from the 12th fret up, you have to much bow and the truss rod needs tightening (clockwise). If the buzz is from frets 1-5, you don't have enough bow and you need to loosen the truss rod (counter clockwise). The adjustments will possibly need to take effect over several days. Don't turn the truss rod more than 1/4 turn in a 24 hour period.

After you have even buzz up and down the neck, you are ready for string height adjustment.

You also need to be sure to check the intonation after changing the height of the strings and truss rod adjustment.

I'd suggest taking it to a qualified tech if you're new to this sort of thing.

I think thats probably the best thing to do

DudeistMonk · #6 01-23-2009, 02:54 PM

where are you fingering the notes? You should be just above the fret (not in the middle or right on top of it).

Otherwise, yeah if you take your bass and look down the neck you should be able to see if it is too curved in either direction.

slybass3000 · #7 01-25-2009, 08:12 AM

It could be the top nut too!

Sly

DocBop · #8 01-25-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonaldson1986

I dont think its the technique, this is ratting like crazy, really loud and akward sounding. Even when I play "gently" it doesnt matter, it does it anyway

I would say check your technique again but this time focus on your left hand and if you letting your unused fingers touch or float to close to the string when striking a note. This can cause a nasty fret rattle between fretting finger and nut. A way to test is if you get the rattle then fret the same note with index finger and see if it still happens.