Bass picked up a metallic overtone a few weeks ago

[Cozz33]

A few weeks ago I was having trouble with a rattle coming from my neck pick up (22 rickenbacker 4003) so I took off the pickguard to inspect it and make sure everything was snug. After reassembly I noticed my bass had picked up a metallic overtone to nearly every note. The best way I can describe it is this but it stops shortly after I lift up on the fret.

Things I have tried: lowering/highering pickups, action adjustments, shimming the nut with paper, very slight truss rod adjustments, and different picking methods/velocity.
Aside from the neck pickup rattle I described earlier, the bass was very quiet up until recently. What could be causing this sound? Any ideas I could try?

 

[TomB]

Check around the bridge. I've had sounds like that when things weren't quite right there. In one case a ball wasn't quite seated right. It can't hurt to check.

 

[Cozz33]

Check around the bridge. I've had sounds like that when things weren't quite right there. In one case a ball wasn't quite seated right. It can't hurt to check.

Thanks for the reply Tom. So far I've fiddled with the screws that adjust the action and those rollers that the strings sit on, neither seemed to help. Anything else on the bridge I can play around with?

 

[TomB]

Sorry, I don't know Ric bridges that well. My issue / solution was generic to any bridge. Have you tried re-mounting the strings?

 

[Cozz33]

By re mounting, do you mean change them out?

 

[Joe Nerve]

Its a long shot, but worth mentioning...

I'm at work and can't listen to your file, but I had a bizarre metallic sounding issue with one of my basses once, and found that a little piece of metal had somehow lodged itself into one of the pole pieces on my pickup. You might want to check that nothing is interfering with the pickup itself.

 

[claudel]

If it is active, change the battery...

 

[TomB]

By re mounting, do you mean change them out?

No. Try taking them back off, one at a time, and reinstalling. Make sure no twisting occurs as you tighten, that is, make sure the ball end is free to turn until you're at some tension. Twisted strings make strange noises. It's worth a try since it's free.

 

[Cozz33]

I'll try that, thanks!