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Horrible A String Rattle - tried everything

backer7618

backer7618

Jul 28, 2018
15
4
#1
Brand new Rickenbacker 4003
The A string only (open and first few frets) rattles horribly and is unexplainable.
Here's what I've tried:
Nut height - not low - about .006 - was higher with same rattle
Truss Rod/Relief - .004 bass side; .003 treble - was set up with much more relief with same rattle; various levels ranging from current to .012; adequate time between adjustments to allow for wood to settle
String Height - current - bass 5/64ths to treble 4/64ths; greater height attempted with no difference
Witness points - Nut and bridge saddles pressed to ensure proper break at each

I can't think of anything except two possibilities:
1. New nut needed; stock was just not properly constructed for this bass from factory
2. Frets were simply not leveled properly from factory
- Both of these are infuriating and will cost me.

I bought this bass from Wildwood guitars who have a stellar reputation for communication and services, but they offer no real input except give it time to self adjust... which I have.

At a loss here folks. Any thoughts?
 
Last edited:
#2
Try playing and open A and let it ring while putting some pressure on the tuner side of the nut. ( press downward on the string)

If that doesn't help, play the open A and let it ring while holding the switch tip in a halfway between one of the positions point.

Then try letting the string ring while pressing on various areas of the pickguard and the pickups themselves along with the control knobs.
 
#5
Ok, I'm not sure what it could be then.

Those were just things that identified rattles on various instruments I've had in the past.

I just bought a Mustang PJ bass a few weeks ago and had a rattle and it turned out to be the switch. I loosen the nut and re-positioned the switch a tad and it fixed it.
 
#7
Another option, of course, is that I simply learn to live with it and adapt a far lighter touch. I don't dig in as it is, but I suppose lightening up wouldn't hurt it general.
The Ric sound is often attributed to a bit of grit, so I can see it a positive in that regard.
 
#11
backer7618 said:
Brand new Rickenbacker 4003
The A string only (open and first few frets) rattles horribly and is unexplainable.
.....
I can't think of anything except two possibilities:
1. New nut needed; stock was just not properly constructed for this bass from factory
2. Frets were simply not leveled properly from factory
- Both of these are infuriating and will cost me.
.....
At a loss here folks. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

If it happens with fretted notes the nut is out of the equation.
If it happens with the open note, it probably isn't the frets.

You say it is audible when unplugged. What about the reverse of that? Can you hear it through the amp?
 
#12
I don't have the strap on it at the moment. The post is all that's on there and it's not rattling.
The tuning paddles are all secure and not rattling.
The fret buzz happens on fretted notes as well, but it's even more audible when plucking the open string.
The rattle can't really be heard through the amp unless I'm digging in. I should live with it and consider it a bit of extra grit, or I should just adapt a lighter touch.
It just strikes me as a bit odd that it's far more prevalent on this one string while the nut action is clearly not low enough to expect this kind of open string rattle.
There aren't any authorized service centers down here in San Diego, but I could drive this thing up to Joey Vasco in Orange county if he's still doing Ric setups. Just didn't want to have to spend extra money on this bass than I already have... especially since this is a limited edition special run that cost more, but well.... what can I do. Just have to have it looked at I guess.
 
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#13
I had a Jack Casady bass with a strange rattle. I tried all sorts of things. I brought it to a respected repair and set up guy. We couldn't find the source.
Then, one night, I pressed on each tuner as I plucked open strings. It turned out to be a loose tuning peg missing an internal Allen screw. The sound came out of the body of the bass! So strange.
 
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#15
Can't say I know Ricks, but I have had a bridge saddle adjustment screw not maaking contact with the bridge plate do this more than once. All seemed right, even the saddle was sitting seemingly level. When I found it, I brought it into contact with the plate and Bam ! problem solved.
 
#17
Thanks. I’ll check out these procedures and see if they have any effect. I threw the topic out to the Ric community over at rickresource.com and someone mentioned the saddle issue as well. Specifically, he mentioned that the Ric saddles are flat bottomed while the bridge itself is radiused so they occasionally don’t sit properly.
 
#19
Put a paper shim in your nut, around the string. See if the issue persists. I had a similar issue on a P-bass yesterday. Turns out the G nut was a tad too low (or wide) and a receipt quickly fixed the issue. I intend to hit the nut with some superglue and nut dust later so I can remove the shim.
 
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