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Having "rattling" problems with my Musicman Ray34.

J

JUSTINKP

Mar 15, 2011
59
0
#1
Hey guys,

I'm new here so I don't know if this is where I should post this or what, but I was looking for some help.

I have a Musicman Ray 34 4 string bass. Recently, I've noticed when I play on the top 2 frets of my E string (F and F#) that I get a horrible rattle in my strings. At first I thought this was just the strings, so I changed them. This didn't solve the issue. I've tried different brands of strings too. Just changed back to the Ernie Ball Hybrid slinkies and still have the same exact issue.

Can someone help me resolve this rattling issue with the strings? When I play G and down on the fretboard, everything is fine. Just the top 2 frets.

Thanks guys.
 
#6
I just read somewhere that the "truss rod" may need turned a quarter turn or tightened up a little. No idea where that is on my bass though.

Learned how to tighten the tuners. They were tight as could be so that's not the issue.

What else could I try? This sucks. I got a gig Saturday!
 
#7
JUSTINKP said:
I just read somewhere that the "truss rod" may need turned a quarter turn or tightened up a little. No idea where that is on my bass though.

Learned how to tighten the tuners. They were tight as could be so that's not the issue.

What else could I try? This sucks. I got a gig Saturday!
Click to expand...

Take it up to your local shop have them look at the neck. DO NOT make the adjustment yourself, if you don't even know where the truss rod is. Most of the time places will make an adjustment for free as it only takes about 5 seconds.
 
#8
I wouldnt touch it if you have no idea what it is. Take it into a good repair person and have them check it out. There's a good chance they'll be able to fix it on the spot if you aren't too pushy (repair guys can be a bit... finicky :) ). You might also learn a little.

As far as the rattle, if it doesn't come through the amp I wouldnt worry about it until Monday.

Also I've seen saddles, height adjustment screws, and even strap buttons rattle.
Also don't rule out the bass needing to be setup and it's just fretting out.
 
#9
Thanks for the help guys. The rattle is coming through my amp so I think I'm gonna take my bass down to guitar center tomorrow and see what they can do. I'm hoping its just an easy repair and also not costly.

I bought the bass in September and never had it "set up" which some friends told me I should do anyhow. So I guess that wouldn't be a bad idea anyhow.
 
#10
Check you tuner "paddles"..I had a couple of fender basses that the tuner paddles rattled. When you hear the rattle, simply hold the tuner as though you were going to tune it..try it for each tuner and it might work.
 
#12
JUSTINKP said:
How would I do that? Sorry I'm still a newbie. I've only been playing a year and a half.
Click to expand...

Has this instrument ever had a professional setup performed by a qualified luther/ guitar tech? My guess is no. This is the first thing a newb like you should have done when you bought it. Take it in, have it setup. Then do a bunch of reading on how setups are performed. Buy a cheap $75 Squier or something from Craigslist and learn to perform your own setups on it. Then when you have become a setup master, you can move onto modding the Squier to teach you basic upgrades and repair.

When all said and done, you'll have skills, a better sounding Ray and a kickass Squier to rock with. Win.
 
#14
Just to update you guys on this, I took it to a well known 30+ year experienced tech at a local guitar shop, not Guitar Center (I'm not a fan of GC either). He told me that there is no way the neck should be in the condition that it is from the Bass only being 8 months old and that the neck was like a "Banana". He said I need to send it back to EBMM and have them replace it or I might see problems down the road.

He charged me a whopping $10 to set it up to the point where it's playable, not rattling, no fret buzz, and the neck is straight, plus he cleaned and polished it.
 

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