Rattle when plucking strings

[MarshallNole]

When I play my bass unplugged, I can hear a rattle coming from the head stock. It's worse if I'm tuned down to say, Eb standard. I just replaced my strings and mailed sure the screws that attach the tuning knobs to the head stock were tight. What else could cause this?

 

[ShonenCello]

Truss rod cover not tight?

 

[Precision101]

Nut possibly. Make sure the string is all the way at the bottom of the post on the tuner because it needs to put pressure on the nut.

 

[MarshallNole]

I'll check the truss rod cover. Didn't think of that.

Precision - do you mean when I made my bend in the tip of the string when installing new strings I may not have made it long enough, thus it isn't reaching the bottom of the post when I put it through the hole?

 

[Precision101]

I'll check the truss rod cover. Didn't think of that.

Precision - do you mean when I made my bend in the tip of the string when installing new strings I may not have made it long enough, thus it isn't reaching the bottom of the post when I put it through the hole?

It should be wound at least 3 times around the post and the string winding should start from the top and end at the bottom. A simple trick to tell is to put your finger on the string behind the nut and play to see if the buzz still occurs. Also what he said, check the truss cover as well and while your at it make sure your truss is alright as well. Doesn't hurt to check.

 

[MarshallNole]

I think I only have 2 winds around the post. Am I cutting my strings too short? How far past the post should they be at the cut?

 

[smklassen0977]

I used to get this rattle when I wound my strings on the opposite way Precision is suggesting.. That's was always the reason for my buzz coming from the headstock. Like he's suggesting, make sure the string's last wind on the post is on the bottom instead of the top.. If it's the top it's probably why you're getting buzz.

 

[thebassbuilder]

That is hard to say because all strings are differnt length. Just wind it on there and if you get too much then back them off cut a little and wind again. Do this till you get it where you want it and from then on just take the strings off and take your new strings and cut them to the same length. Also 3 winds may be good for some basses but you may want to have more winds so the string gets pushed to the bottom of the post and stays there. This will give you the best break angle on the nut.

 

[Marihino]

In case of my Yamaha, which fell over hitting a hard floor with its headstock and developed a rattle since then, it was a tuner - the "elephant ear" became slightly loose in the slotted post/axis/rod. I was afraid it was a broken truss rod or something, couldn't quite localise the rattle. When I did, a tiny bit of Blu Tac solved the problem.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Do you use straplocks ? Schaller strap locks specifically ? They do that.
Then if you have a Fender style flat head you need to wrap strings to the bottom of the post or you will get rattling.

 

[MarshallNole]

Ok so I did some checking. There is no truss rod cover on my L2000 so that's out. Putting pressure on the strings just before the post eliminates rattle. So I guess it isn't wound enough or pushed far enough into the hole? Here's a pic. I only have 2 winds. S

 

[Jazz Ad]

Your issue is on the A string, not wound enough. Very typical of Fender style instruments.

 

[MarshallNole]

You are right. I definitely notice it more on A. Can I just wind it some more or did I potentially cut too much off the string? I measure around 2.5 inches then cut

 

[96tbird]

You want to have four wraps and have it right down on the deck. For now you can loosen it and push it down then wrap a zip tie tightly on the post to help keep it low. Next time, do what I do, only cut about 2" off the A and E strings that'll give lots of wraps to keep it low.

 

[MarshallNole]

Ok so simply tightening the strings at this point is out of the question?

 

[JustForSport]

I cut around 4" (hand's width) past the post (after) making the 90' bend/crimp. That winds to the bottom of most posts, then no problem with the 'break angle'.

 

[96tbird]

Ok so simply tightening the strings at this point is out of the question?

How do you mean?

 

[MarshallNole]

How do you mean?

Wouldn't tightening the strings add wraps around the post?

 

[JimmyM]

Wouldn't tightening the strings add wraps around the post?

If you're tuned up to pitch already, then you can't add more windings around the post because you will be way out of tune, plus it's not good for the neck or string for a string to be wound that tight. Best you can do short of installing a new string is to loosen it a little and see if you can push the string down on the post a little without it snapping back up. May not happen, though. I'd be preparing to replace it sometime soon.

 

[Jipley0]

I've had some rattling in my headstock too. After 10 minutes fidgeting with everything I found that it's actually the washers on the tuners that are vibrating when I play open strings.

Next time I change strings I'll try and remember to tighten them.