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weird rattle..truss rod, graphite rods, braces, bridge or... ARGHHH

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by johnp352, Dec 18, 2014.

  1. Dec 18, 2014 #1
    johnp352

    johnp352

    Aug 19, 2005
    Chicago
    Endorsing Artist: Rick Turner, GK
    I am having a problem with my Turner Renaissance..It's a fretted 5, High C. It is set up and plays/sounds great..but it has developed this strange problem..specifically the 8th fret of the "A" string buzzs like a mofo...My tech has hit the usual places, but can't seem to find out what is causing it. I thought it was frequency dependent, IOW it would only do that when playing an "f"..but tuning the "A" string down a whole step, so that the F is actually an Eb produces the same noise. Also hitting an F at the 13th fret of the E string makes no noise..it is only that spot. It's pretty loud too..annoying. There is also a LITTLE noise coming from the 7th fret on the same string, but I have to hit that string pretty hard to get it, and even then it's nowhere as loud.

    The truss rod is working..

    so..

    1) there are 2 graphite rods in the channel alongside the truss rod..could one of these on the bass side be loose? or the rod itself, though my tech doubted it.

    2) there are braces in the instrument ..but why would I get the rattle at only that one spot?

    3) Maybe the bridge? but see #2..

    There IS a solution here, but I am not seeing it. Help! TB.
     
  2. Dec 18, 2014 #2
    JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    9th fret a little high at the A string?
     
    OldDirtyBassist likes this.
  3. Dec 18, 2014 #3
    johnp352

    johnp352

    Aug 19, 2005
    Chicago
    Endorsing Artist: Rick Turner, GK
    don't think so...wouldn't that cause a vibration across that fret, and not just one spot?
     
  4. Dec 18, 2014 #4
    johnp352

    johnp352

    Aug 19, 2005
    Chicago
    Endorsing Artist: Rick Turner, GK
    thanks for the input though.
     
  5. Dec 18, 2014 #5
    96tbird

    96tbird PLEASE STAND BY

    Dec 13, 2010
    Turn left at the gopher.
    Have you 100% beyond a doubt eliminated tuner parts, nut slots and saddles rattling?
     
  6. Dec 18, 2014 #6
    OldDirtyBassist

    OldDirtyBassist Guest

    Mar 13, 2014
    Maybe try a shim first before filing. Raise the saddle just a hair too.
     
  7. Dec 18, 2014 #7
    JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    I've seen high spots affecting only one string, or maybe an adjacent one a little as well.
    I just fix the high one in that case, rather than level the whole board (my bass, of course). No issues after.
    What caused it, ???
    A fret rocker or good straightedge will give you the info you need.
     
  8. Dec 19, 2014 #8
    Bruce Johnson

    Bruce Johnson Gold Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 4, 2011
    Fillmore, CA
    Professional Luthier
    From your description, it sure sounds like a low spot on the 8th fret.

    A quick bit of troubleshooting: Find a small round metal pin, that's a little larger diameter than the height of the fret; about 1/16" or 0.062" diameter. A small drill bit will work. Slip it between the string and the fingerboard, right up against the 8th fret, and fret the troublesome note, holding the pin pinched between the string and the fingerboard. What you are doing is making a temporary 8th fret that's a little taller. Now, does the buzz/rattle go away, or is it still there? If it goes away, then you have a fret problem, either a low spot on the 8th or a high spot on the 9th.

    If the buzz is still there, unchanged, then that eliminates the frets as the problem. Then start looking for structural rattles.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
    johnp352 likes this.
  9. Dec 19, 2014 #9
    johnp352

    johnp352

    Aug 19, 2005
    Chicago
    Endorsing Artist: Rick Turner, GK
    thanks Bruce, will try that today.