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Help, this is driving me nuts!

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by Bafflegab, Jun 9, 2020.

  1. Jun 9, 2020 #1
    Bafflegab

    Bafflegab

    Jul 21, 2019
    hey all, I'll try and keep it brief ish

    I've been setting up basses for 11 years and not had this problem until now

    Bass was playing and sounding good but noooo I couldn't leave it there, I had to try a set of flats

    Slightly lighter gauge but didn't need to tweak anything

    Was getting an irritating rattle on the E string, not a bad set up kind of rattle, seemed more like hardware. I think coming from headstock area, but hard to pinpoint.

    Couldn't deal with it so put the old strings back on, again no tweaks made to the setup.

    Rattle is still there. I've now done a new setup from scratch, and played the string about a hundred times while putting pressure on each bit of each tuner, bridge saddle, spring, screw, you name it. No closer to figuring it out.

    I can also hear it when playing the A, but less so.

    Anyone else had this and solved it?

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. Jun 9, 2020 #2
    testing1two

    testing1two

    Feb 25, 2009
    Southern California
    What kind of bass?

    If it's a Fender type bass with a headstock that doesn't tilt back, then it could be an issue with how the strings are wrapped. How low are the E & A strings wrapped around the tuning post? You want those 2 strings to be as low as possible because if you don't have enough break angle behind the nut the strings can rattle. It's more a problem on the A string.
     
  3. Jun 9, 2020 #3
    Stumbo

    Stumbo Guest

    Feb 11, 2008
    I suggest taking a look at every screw on the bass: pick guard, pickups, strap holder, etc.

    Another thing to try is to use a small clamp on different spots of the headstock to see if changing the resonance shows up anything.

    Also check the nut with the strings off.
     
  4. Jun 9, 2020 #4
    Killed_by_Death

    Killed_by_Death Snaggletooth Inactive

    Jan 2, 2015
    14 Megameters from Groong Tehp
    machine-head paddle is loose
    Happened to me on a G&L ASAT bass, setting the thing with an awl & a rubber hammer fixed it.
     
    4sight likes this.
  5. Jun 10, 2020 #5
    Bafflegab

    Bafflegab

    Jul 21, 2019
    Thanks all

    it is a Fender type, but I have a retainer on every string (purely because I could haha)

    the nut seems fine, I checked that when I set it up, and I can’t find anything else loose :( I’ll try the clamp

    I can’t find a loose one but I’ll give that a whirl anyway and see if that sorts it
     
  6. Jun 10, 2020 #6
    Bafflegab

    Bafflegab

    Jul 21, 2019
    I’ve solved the issue! If anyone stumbles on this in the future, the string retainer on the E had just turned very slightly so wasn’t pushing the string down quite enough. Sorted :) cheers all
     
    rzamites and testing1two like this.