Double Bass New strings A string Rattle

[Slaphound]

Hi. I just installed Thomastik Super Flexible solos. I’ve got them on close to a week and a half now. I am getting a rattle on the A string when I finger a note. Not on the open A. I put a small little piece of paper under the string at the nut. That did not help. I put another small piece of paper underneath the A string, over the slot on the bridge. That did not help.
These strings replaced gut strings and I didn’t get any rattle before I switched strings.
Could it be the string? Should I see a luthier? Maybe a little more time on the bass to settle in?
Thanks

 

[Sam Reese]

Where do you hear the buzz? Front of bass, backside, etc.? Have you stuck your head down and around seeking it's specific location? I've been trying to find an A string buzz myself.

 

[Slaphound]

Where do you hear the buzz? Front of bass, backside, etc.? Have you stuck your head down and around seeking it's specific location? I've been trying to find an A string buzz myself.

I think it's coming from the fingerboard. Like the string is buzzing against it. I just played for a while and it seems to be only when I pluck hard. So I can control it a little. But I can pluck hard on the other strings and not get a buzz. So it's kinda a problem. I'm hoping that a few more days might help. I don't know. Luckily I'm mostly a rockabilly slapper so it won't affect my gigs too much. But I do like to just play pizzicato a lot and we do some standards and some early 50s R&B so....

 

[Francois Blais]

If your action is quite low, and not enough scoop in the fingerboard, that would explain the buzz since these strings are quite floppy at orchestra pitch.
If you crank it up to B, is it still buzzing?

 

[Hogslapper]

I had a similar problem for a while, hunted diligently, and found the string was rattling/ buzzing against the surface of the tailpiece. I loosened the string enough to twist the string “button” to a position that allowed the string to exit the tailpiece hole at a more acute angle.

 

[John Chambliss]

Your fingerboard may need some work after slapping with guts. Do you have another steel A to install to see if it buzzes also?

 

[Sam Reese]

I had a flat spot on the A string when I played the C note. The luthier fixed it. You may have a similar situation.
Edit: Do you play in the keys of E and A a lot?

 

[Slaphound]

If your action is quite low, and not enough scoop in the fingerboard, that would explain the buzz since these strings are quite floppy at orchestra pitch.
If you crank it up to B, is it still buzzing?

yes.

 

[Slaphound]

Your fingerboard may need some work after slapping with guts. Do you have another steel A to install to see if it buzzes also?

I do. Should I swap it out? I guess it'll tell me if its the string or the bass

 

[Slaphound]

I do. Should I swap it out? I guess it'll tell me if its the string or the bass

I put D'Addario helicore light tension (H613) A string on and there is no buzz.. no matter what I do.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

The tension of the solo string is lower so there is more excursion. The rattle is most likely a slight issue with the fingerboard.

 

[Slaphound]

Look at this string. I’m getting a replacement.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I think it's coming from the fingerboard. Like the string is buzzing against it. I just played for a while and it seems to be only when I pluck hard. So I can control it a little. But I can pluck hard on the other strings and not get a buzz. So it's kinda a problem. I'm hoping that a few more days might help. I don't know. Luckily I'm mostly a rockabilly slapper so it won't affect my gigs too much. But I do like to just play pizzicato a lot and we do some standards and some early 50s R&B so....

Loosen the truss rod slightly, and/or raise the saddle slightly. "Super flexible" usually means "low tension"

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Look at this string. I’m getting a replacement.

Super flexible

 

[Eli Brockway]

Loosen the truss rod slightly, and/or raise the saddle slightly. "Super flexible" usually means "low tension"

If only it were so easy for us.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

If only it were so easy for us.

Oh. Hahahahaha. I didn't realize this was double bass. Hahah. My bad.

 

[Slaphound]

So I'm digging in, playing, slapping. Suddenly I hear something off. So I stop, check the tuning, tune up and continue to play. Then all of the sudden my bridge just slips. The whole thing just. "Pop". I got it back up and set. I played a little more and so far so good. Whats that all about? Is it because I have a Solo set on and the tension to hold the bridge in place is less than enough. I hope it doesn't happen again. I keep my eye on it now. Strange and upsetting.

 

[Francois Blais]

No, it means the bridge was not correctly set and was tilted.
He's a draft showing the setup.
The bridge, it it was correctly made, should have a right angle between the feet and the side toward the tailpiece.
If it's the other way around, then it was not correctly set.

 

[Slaphound]

No, it means the bridge was not correctly set and was tilted.
He's a draft showing the setup.
The bridge, it it was correctly made, should have a right angle between the feet and the side toward the tailpiece.
If it's the other way around, then it was not correctly set.
View attachment 4417678

The Bridge has been on the bass for a few years now and has seen a few string changes. This is the first time this has happened. I think it could be another issue. I've got a lot of graphite from a #2 pencil in the grooves where the strings sit. Maybe too much. Maybe a one time thing too. Who knows. Something made it fall. I hope the sound post didn't move.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Always control the angle of the bridge and press the top of the bridge back if needed.
Strings get longer over time and take the top of the bridge with them, even with lubed slots.