when i pluck my A string my tailpeice vibrates too much and make an awful noise

omg waffles · #1 12-20-2009, 08:56 AM

i'm a beggining bass player and i don't know much but i don't think this is right...
I've noticed that when i pluck the A string that the tailpeice vibrates and makes a really loud noise...

Is there anything i can do to fix this?

reedo35 · #2 12-20-2009, 09:44 AM

Where is the noise coming from? The tailpiece, or the Bass itself?
Anything I would say at this point would be an assumption based on your brief description and your profile.
I assume you are talking about the school bass that you are currently using. I also assume that, based on your schools' budget,
that it has never had any maintenance work done on it, probably since it was purchased. Who knows how old the strings are?
The A string could be coming unwrapped and rattling, It could be a seam opening up due to humidity problems,
your soundpost may be out of place and need adjusting,
Your bridge may have gotten bumped and is in the wrong position,
or it could be a combination of all or none of those things.
I am also assuming that you have never attempted any type of bass repair before and do not recommend that you start messing with it now.(no offense)
I do recommend you take a good close look at the instrument
see if there are any cracks or open seams, try to find out where that buzz is coming from, take a look at the strings, tailpiece and soundpost position. Then tell your teacher that the Bass really needs to be checked out by a luthier, and if they don't have it looked at, it will only get worse from there.

TimWilson · #3 12-20-2009, 09:47 AM

I have no idea what's wrong with your bass, but your post title is the funniest thing I've ever read in my entire life. You, my friend, are a comic savant. I'm making that post title my signature forever. THanks for making my day, and good luck with the bass fix.

MIKMAN · #4 12-20-2009, 10:36 AM

In a similar case the problem was attributed to the tailpiece wire, which was a rigid material suitable for clothes hunging. A proper
tailpiece wire soved the problem altogether.

moles · #5 12-20-2009, 01:07 PM

I had one of those coathanger wires on my tailpiece when I first got the bass. It truly was a horror of Lovecraftian proportions.

omg waffles · #6 12-20-2009, 05:39 PM

Thanks everyone i don't know much about the bass and i really needed some help...
I'll be sure to tell my band teacher what's going on.
The reason I don't know much about common bass issues is because my band teacher just gave me a simply strings book and was like learn it...
so yeah...

wayne holmes · #7 12-25-2009, 08:59 PM

It's tricky sometimes to locate the origin of a noise. It might sound like the tailpiece, but it could be the groove in the nut. It could be several things---look at the other posts on this topic that are current. Play it and get someone else to start holding things like the tailpiece-end pin put pressure on the seams ---- does it do it when you stop the A---play different notes on the A do you have a pick up-check it. IME often when I heard the noise at the tailpiece it originated at the nut. Play the open A arco and put your ear down close to the A at the nut, then the bridge notch(not your own ear)- . change string if none of these or the things mentioned in the other current threads. IMOIME Good Luck!

Sahm · #8 12-25-2009, 11:14 PM

I had the same problem. I ended up fixing it by cutting off the extra material on my endpin that went up into the bass. I set it at the right height, and left enough to be able to clamp down, then hack-sawed the rest!

Try this, play the note, and when you hear the noise, lift the bass off of the ground. It would go away when I did that. That's how I started to figure out it was related to the
endpin. Not saying this is for sure your problem, but I've never heard it since.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #9 12-26-2009, 11:33 AM

Thread cleaned and reopened. Any further trolling will result in loss of posting privileges. It's Christmas time, folks - time for families and real time spent the ones we love. Remember - if you spot any troll posts, please report them and don't reply. I'll clean up when I get back online. in the meantime, family from out of town awaits. Happy holidays, everyone!

Jake deVilliers · #10 12-27-2009, 12:50 AM

Merry Christmas to you & your other brother DURRRL!

And thanks for sweeping up the dirt piles...

JtheJazzMan · #11 12-27-2009, 01:27 AM

I bought a marvin wire tailpiece which eliminated a rattle which I had.

Its a cheap experiment and may be a good upgrade for you.