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String rattle at the nut

Yonni

Yonni

Oct 31, 2016
1,893
6,597
Scotland
#1
My E string makes a weird rattle if I dig in on the open string. If I dampen the string between the tuner and the nut it stops. I'm going to change strings tomorrow to see if that helps. It's got flats on it now but I'm putting steel rounds back on it.

So the question is, is this common? Do I need a new nut?

The bass is my first bass that my wife bought as a birthday present (Ibanez GSR180). It's a cheap bass but I'll always keep it as a backup. So I don't mind spending money on it. I'm also using it to learn maintenance etc. So I'm not afraid to get the tools out. I've already installed a new bridge. But I've never removed or installed a nut before.
 
#3
Yonni said:
My E string makes a weird rattle if I dig in on the open string. If I dampen the string between the tuner and the nut it stops. I'm going to change strings tomorrow to see if that helps. It's got flats on it now but I'm putting steel rounds back on it.

So the question is, is this common? Do I need a new nut?

The bass is my first bass that my wife bought as a birthday present (Ibanez GSR180). It's a cheap bass but I'll always keep it as a backup. So I don't mind spending money on it. I'm also using it to learn maintenance etc. So I'm not afraid to get the tools out. I've already installed a new bridge. But I've never removed or installed a nut before.
Click to expand...

The Moderators will probably move this post over to the Hardware Setup & Repair section....

But the quick answer is that you've got a slight problem with the nut slot. The front edge of the slot is probably worn down a bit, so that the main point of contact is back slightly. When you hit it hard, it rattles in the slot. One or two strokes with a fret slotting file should sort it out.
 
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#9
lz4005 said:
Probably not necessary. First try winding the new E string all the way to the bottom of the tuning post to put more downward pressure on the nut slot. That will fix the problem most of the time.
Click to expand...
And that's fixed it!

Thanks. Another day another life lesson.

I think maybe the wrapping of the old string was unwinding as I could see gaps in it.
 
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#10
Yonni said:
I'm not sure what a witness point is. I didn't install the nut. I just put some flats on it and got this rattle. I've had this bass over 4 years but this is a new noise.
Click to expand...

Glad you got things sorted out. Jam the string down firmly on the leading edge (fingerboard side) of the nut and bridge saddle. This creates a clean break over the contact points.

Riis
 
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#13
Sometimes the fix is as easy as loosing the E string, pushing the wrap around at the post all the way down to the bottom, holding it there and then tightening the string back into tune.

Or sometimes, the nut needs to be "slant cut". Meaning the cut for the E string must slant downward to the tuning post. Possibly the cut for the E string is flat cut, parallel to the neck and when the string is heading to the tuning post, it's lifting up at the edge of the nut causing buzzing or rattle.

Don't have a fret file? Use a drill bit with sandpaper or a small nail and cut do a slant cut for the E string. Only the edge of the nut on the tuner side will need any filing. Mark the inside of the nut slot with a lead pencil to monitor the new cut.

Make any sense? It's not easy explaining with just words.

Or, use a wire bread bag twist around the E and A string behind the nut to shut up the noise. Looks bad but might work.
 
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