Rattling sound from my StingRay

When do you get the rattle?

I had a problem with mine, same set up as yours.
Mine happened when I played an F# on the G string or bent a F up to F# on the G string.

Had it set up 3 times, 3 different places, no one could fix it. I traded it in for a Thumb Bass.

 

If I was playing it I would have to say it was strapped to a loose nut. But if I where you I would have a pro look at it.

 

How about tuning key?

 

No, I'm serious, check out the tuning key. Try holding each key while you're playing the note.

 

You should also check the battery box, those will rattle sometimes if set off by sympathetic vibrations. Take the screws out and check to make sure nothing is loose in there.

 

It could definitely be that your E (and other) string(s) don;t have enough down force at the nut to keep them from rattling. I had this problem whe n i switched to Thomastik Infield Jazz Flats on my fretless...A s I like the strings so much, and had no intention of changing them, I put a string tree on the E and A strings. But I would suggest trying a new (probably heavier gauge) set of strings. also, try pressing the strings down behind the nut as you play, and see if it happens when playing very soflty. Usually, low nut tension won't make a sound on light playing.

 

this is common with a lot of non-Spector basses,the best fix is to trade it in for a nice cuddly Spector NS CRFM,try the blue stain model,it has a soothing effect until you plug it in and then you might get highly stimulated.....musicaly speaking of course.

 

Its definetly the nut my friend.
It is caused by the design of the headstock, it is straight.

My suggestion is that when you change strings, let the rest of the string form a coil around the post so the string gets pulled down at the string post, that way you will have more downward force from the headstock and prevent the rattles.

 

First try: nut.
Make sure you have downforce to the tuner side. Then check if the string can move in the nut grooves. If so, have them redone for your string gauge.

Second try: truss rod!
At times, the truss rod groove is too wide, which allows movement in the rod = rattle. (Actually, I've only heard about this happening in MM basses!)
This requires major surgery to your bass. Either you take it to a top luthier, or if it's new, you go to the hop and reclaim your money.

But check the nut first....

 

I'll second Suburban's thought about the truss rod; it's an easy tweak. If it doesn't work, well no big deal. Adjusting the truss rod is fairly easy.

 

I had a similar problem...but it was with my tuning keys....I have no idea what could be vibrating....Sting Rays are usually built tuff.

 

Problem: if the truss rattles, the grove for it is too wide. So you can't remedy that with just tweeking the nut. You have to remove the fretboard or skunk strip, and add some tape or something to the rod, in order to fill the grove.
Not very easy....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zid_APB_4I&feature=player_embedded

 

I had the same thing with my 2002 Stingray. Beautiful bass, but unusable.

 

Video gone.

 

I'd lay money it's the pickup springs. There are four of them, about the diameter of a Sharpie, under the outside magnets. I hear them ringing when I play acoustically. You don't hear them through an amplifier. I'm thinking about using fender style pickup foam on mine.

 

check the bridge, when the saddles arent even mine rattle like that. and sometimes a part of the tuning key might come loose.