Rattle Diagnosis

[Eli_Upright12]

So I threw on a new pair of strings yesterday and today I traveled from Michigan back home to Wisconsin. There was about a 50 degrees temperature swing in the last two days and a large humidity swing, too. The bass was in the already tightly packed car. So now tonight when I pulled the bass out everything looked fine, but when I play the E string (and to a lesser extent the A string) there is a pronounced rattle, this however does not occur on the upper strings. I checked seams, tailpiece, scroll,tuners and anything else externally that might rattle. Is this a possible bass bar problem? or does anyone know what would make this happen? I plan to get it to my luthier as soon as possible, but just want to know what to expect.

[Dbassmon]

I assume you changed strings one at a time rather than removing all your strings. That would obviously provide the opportunity for the sound post to shift or fall.

Everything you described is horrible for DB. Big swings in temp and humidity will cause seams or cracks to open.

Gently go around the entire top of the bass and tap with your knuckle where the top and sides join. You will be able to hear an open seam even if you can not see it.

Check to make sure the nut securing the end pin is tight, the end pin will rattle if loose.

Hope this helps

[arnoldschnitzer]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

So I threw on a new pair of strings yesterday

You play a two-string bass?

Seriously, I think Dbassmon is probably right, that a seam has popped partially open. Another possibility is that your bass got bumped around in the crowded car and the bridge has been knocked off center. This could have the effect of pushing the strings on one side up against the fingerboard (and the other side too high). Take a ruler and see if the bridge is centered side-to-side.

[drurb]

...and then there's this historical thread on the topic. Such noises are really annoying but you have a trip to your luthier planned so I trust you'll be made whole in short order. You've already gotten excellent advice.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

You play a two-string bass?

Seriously, I think Dbassmon is probably right, that a seam has popped partially open. Another possibility is that your bass got bumped around in the crowded car and the bridge has been knocked off center. This could have the effect of pushing the strings on one side up against the fingerboard (and the other side too high). Take a ruler and see if the bridge is centered side-to-side.

Yeah, The bridge was off center and I moved it back. It seems that the rattle is coming from inside, I guess that could still be a seam open, but I looked around and tried to test as best I could, and I dont think there is a seam thats has opened up. I guess my luthier would probably do a better job of this and seeing as its sunday I'll probably get it in tomorrow.

[Eli_Upright12]

I guess I should also note, rattle probably isnt the best word, its not high pitched like you would think. Its kind of a low whispy vibration. And I can only hear it emanating from the f-holes.

[jschall84]

take out your endpin and see if it still does it. mine used to rattle a lot when i played the e. i wrapped a bit of steel wool on it and the reinstalled it. worked great.