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Double Bass Soundclip Rattling

N

Nathan Parker

Oct 10, 2008
698
14
Seattle, WA
#1
Okay, so I got this-a-here soundclip pickup for the one gig I have to use a pickup on. I've been playing a school instrument, because it has a pickup, and am tired of doing so. I got the soundclip so I could slap it on my bass and plug in.

The problem is, I went to rehearsal today, slapped said pickup on and the thing rattled like the dickens. Has anyone else had this problem? It was temporarily cured by jamming some packing foam between the clamp and the body of the pickup. I'm puzzled. Any thoughts?

Oh, and why does it sound like ****? Damn pickups.
 
#2
How tightly do you have it clamped? Gage recommends that you actually clamp it tighter than you think you need to - that will likely help with the tone (as will experimenting with placement; IME lower on the bridge is better). As for the rattle, that's a surprise - there aren't too many moving pieces, and the ones that move are pretty tight tolerances. Is the rattle in the amplified sound, or is it acoustic? Does it happen when the pickup is plugged in? Have you tried a different cable?
 
#6
Mark Gollihur said:
How tightly do you have it clamped? Gage recommends that you actually clamp it tighter than you think you need to - that will likely help with the tone (as will experimenting with placement; IME lower on the bridge is better). As for the rattle, that's a surprise - there aren't too many moving pieces, and the ones that move are pretty tight tolerances. Is the rattle in the amplified sound, or is it acoustic? Does it happen when the pickup is plugged in? Have you tried a different cable?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips, Mark. I tightened the hell out of it, and it rattles no more. I don't know about the sound at the moment, as I don't have an amp to test it with. That will have to wait until later. I appreciate you taking the time.
 
#7
Sorry if my post came off as rude Nate. I was hungry and a little cold. After a half slice of cold pizza and part of what I think was once a roast beef sandwich, I am feeling much better. Just want you to know that making enough sound and having people finally able to hear what you play is a slippery slope. You may end up losing what little work you already have.
 
#12
Nathan Parker said:
I liked it better when you were starving.
Click to expand...

Yeah, why were Chris so hungry anyway?
scratchchin.gif
 
#13
I had the same issue. I spoke with David Gage himself and they swapped the pickup out for a newer designed one. There was a defect in the manufacturing of the clap on the first generation model on SOME of the pickups. This is what Dave told me. So he swapped it out. I'm sure they can help you!
 

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