Go Back   TalkBass Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Basses [BG]
Register Rules/FAQ/CUP Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read



Supporting Membership
Thank You

Latest Supporting Member
Donate to Upgrade Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 03-09-2013, 04:31 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Rattling noise from headstock

I've been playing bass for about 3 months now, and I have a problem that's been bothering me more and more since it started.

I have a Dean E09 Edge bass, and whenever I pluck the strings, there is a weird rattling noise that seems to be coming from the headstock. I've tried tightening screws, but none were loose, so that didn't help. Perhaps I need to replace the strings?

Thanks for your help.
  #2  
Old 03-09-2013, 04:42 PM
msb msb is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Halifax,N,S. Canada
Wait until long after dark , bury it in the neighbor's back yard . It's gone . You will need something that's been made in the USA . Preferably with a Fender decal .
__________________
Danelectro Owners Club #20
  #3  
Old 03-09-2013, 05:45 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Try this:
While plucking an open string with the right hand, press that same string with your left hand against the headstock. Do the same thing with every string one at a time. If there's no rattling noise then you might need to install a string retainer.

  #4  
Old 03-09-2013, 05:50 PM
uOpt's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Supporting Member
Probably the truss rod.

Turn the amp louder
__________________
I don't follow photobucket links in sales ads.
  #5  
Old 03-09-2013, 05:52 PM
troy mcclure's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central Florida
Supporting Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by msb View Post
Wait until long after dark , bury it in the neighbor's back yard . It's gone . You will need something that's been made in the USA . Preferably with a Fender decal .
nice
__________________
Pod Club #19
Short Scale Bass Club #19
Mediocre Bassists #166
Florida Bassists #104
  #6  
Old 03-09-2013, 05:52 PM
troy mcclure's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central Florida
Supporting Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by msb View Post
Wait until long after dark , bury it in the neighbor's back yard . It's gone . You will need something that's been made in the USA . Preferably with a Fender decal .
nice


Make sure the tuning peg screws are tight.
__________________
Pod Club #19
Short Scale Bass Club #19
Mediocre Bassists #166
Florida Bassists #104
  #7  
Old 03-09-2013, 05:54 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Quote:
Originally Posted by msb View Post
Wait until long after dark , bury it in the neighbor's back yard . It's gone . You will need something that's been made in the USA . Preferably with a Fender decal .
Even if you were certain (which you of course aren't) that once you buy "something made in the USA with a Fender decal" rattling noise will never occur, how exactly does your comment help?
  #8  
Old 03-09-2013, 05:54 PM
spiritbass's Avatar
Yeah, I've been registered here awhile... ;-D
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Ashland, MO
Supporting Member
You may have a slot in your nut that is too wide for its string. I've had this happen on a couple of different instruments.
__________________
Ken

Those who have seen the light can walk in the dark.
  #9  
Old 03-09-2013, 06:04 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Stamford, CT
You said you checked te screws, but do you mean the screws on the back or on the front of the headstock? Whenever this has happened to me its been because of loose bolt screws ( the bigger wider hollow screw bolt that centers the tuning heads). Make sure they are tight
__________________
For HQ pics of my basses:
picasaweb.com/flyingaero/

For My Beginner Bass Defret w/ procedure:
youtube.com/watch?v=KyKIbBM_C-8

Current project
  #10  
Old 03-09-2013, 06:11 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Largo FL
Quote:
Originally Posted by msb View Post
Wait until long after dark , bury it in the neighbor's back yard . It's gone . You will need something that's been made in the USA . Preferably with a Fender decal .
Why would anyone downgrade like that?
  #11  
Old 03-09-2013, 06:31 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
This happened to me with my MIA fender strat. It was the truss rod rattling against the wood inside the channel. I tried to get it to go away by changing the relief and was successful. Unfortunately that made it so my action was not good. I got rid of that neck...
__________________
Fender Jazz Bass MIA 1995 club #1085 Lefties Who Play Righty #295 Fretless #847 Genz Benz #430
  #12  
Old 03-09-2013, 06:48 PM
msb msb is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Halifax,N,S. Canada
I must confess that with the spring into daylight savings time I've been trying to prepare myself . It is a rare Saturday night at home . I suffer an odd sense of humor , forgive me .
I might also confess my favorite bass was made in Korea .
From the sounds of things it might just be the truss rods rattling . I generally turn up the radio when I hear something funny in my car . Turn the top knob all the way clockwise .
That should do it .
But regardless , you should try and bury something in the neighbor's backyard ...
__________________
Danelectro Owners Club #20
  #13  
Old 03-09-2013, 07:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Had this problem. It was duofold; both a funky tuning machine and a loose truss rod. Neither was fixable, so I returned the instrument.
__________________
Fretless #756, Hartke #295, Conklin #?, Warwick #?, Tune #50, ERB# 164! BTB#197
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Visit TalkBass on Facebook   Download our iOS app   Download our Android app

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:42 PM.




© 2012 Talk Music Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Play guitar too? Visit TalkGuitar.com
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.12
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.