Truss Rod Rattle?

[tdizzle]

My bass is rattling or vibrating in a weird way on certain notes. It doesn't appear to be the hardware, so I suspect it is the truss rod. Any remedy for this?

[Bassamatic]

I just serviced a bass that had a weird rattle on the open A string. I thought it was fret buzz on the first fret, but it was the string in the nut - not enough down tension. I re-wound the string on the post to end as close to the bottom as possible, and the rattle went away.

Since the truss rod is under fairly high tension, I don't see how it could rattle. Perhaps if it were just barely touching the inside of the slot? Maybe try adjusting it one way or the other to see if it makes a difference?

[unclebass]

+1
Had the same problem with both of my Fender basses. Found that open A string rattled, placed single layer of electrical tape in A string groove, re-tuned, and rattle gone. Also had issue after recutting string grooves in nut, just a little too deep, had rattle on string behind fret hand. Able to stop rattle by muting string behind fret hand. Also corrected this problem by using layer of tape in string groove on nut. If you do this, simply take a razor blade and remove any excess tape showing. Did this months ago and still working.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

First of all, TR rattle is a total PITA.

If tweaking the TR nut back and forth a bit doesn't help, the fast and quite literally dirty way to remedy it is to inject something into the TR channel, usually about the halfway mark will do.

And dot markers are the perfect place to do so.

I've done this with silicone sealant and white glue.

The latter is more "kosher" way of doing it, but if overdone, it can ruin the neck.

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

Since the truss rod is under fairly high tension...

?

Can You elaborate a bit?

I don't have Your years of experience, but with the cheapos I've tinkered with, the TR can be totally loose and still there's no relief.

The most common reason IMLE is using an incorrect oil for the FB, the second most common, a refret gone wrong.
Assuming obviously that the neck has been all right at some earlier point .
DOA necks weren't uncommon in the 80's when I started out either.

Choosing strings with a higher or lower tension than the current ones and adjusting the TR will alter the TR's resonating frequency, obviously, so that's worth a try as well.

Regards
Sam