Witness points interesting phenomenon

[Deleted member 165050]

I always find the idea of "setting the witness points" a little odd mainly because of the weird terminology but I do it because it makes a difference, especially with being a flats / fretless player.

Anyway I have a set of TIJFs on an acoustic fretless bass and every time I played the open E there was a small but irritating rattle which I've been chasing for ages, putting bubble wrap round cables inside etc and every time I slackened the strings to poke around though the soundhole the rattle went away until the next time I picked it up then there it was again.

Finally out of nothing more than trying anything and everything I did the "setting the witness points" thing at the nut end of the string, and lo the problem is solved and the rattle gone! No doubt everyone but me does this as a matter of course but in case not, I just thought I'd mention it.

 

[michael_t]

I'll be the first witness to your witness point success!

 

[JRA]

No doubt everyone but me does this as a matter of course but in case not, I just thought I'd mention it.

now you tell me.

i have a fretless J-bass (FSO) with a rattle-y E string that i just thought that i'd have to live with since it feels so good to play, otherwise. i just tried the "ficelles method of E string rattle attenuation" and it's all but gone. however, the action is so low at the nut that it's nearly impossible to set the witness as i would/could at the bridge.....i'll have to think about what it all means.

thanks for the tip!

 

[Deleted member 165050]

the "ficelles method of E string rattle attenuation"

This, I like