lungimsam
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- Oct 1, 2011
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Hi y'all!
I'm getting a mysterious rattle that I cannot seem to get rid of.
Wondering if anyone has any advice.
It is playable and not noticeable to the wife's ears but I can hear it and feel it.
This is the situation:
Mostly A and D strings at various frets from 4th-12th frets. Not the G string. E string only above 6th fret.
This started after these changes:
1. I have a lighter string set on. So much so that I had to back off the truss rod to get more relief, which is about a credit card between the 9th fret and bottom of E string when the string is held down at the first and last fret. So I know the neck is straight but with a little relief. I have never needed more relief than this with string sets that were higher gauge. The strings were on a month before it started. String integrity looks fine.
2. I intonated the strings, moving the saddles back a bit (lengthening the strings a bit, except for the g string saddle).
3. Action is same as always. 6/64 at 17th fret no press on the E string and 5/64 on G string. It even still rattles if I go 8/64 on the E string side.
4. My nut slots have always been a touch low but the strings don't rattle when played open. And the slots have been low for along time before this started. So not sure this has anything to do with it.
5. The bionics have plenty of clearance so the strings are not rattling against the pickups.
Note:
I have checked with a rocker for a high fret but there seems to be none. I have had the bass for 8 years now and never noticed one. Rocker confirms it.
When I sight down the neck, the neck looks straight with a touch of relief but I can see the plane of the headstock rotates a little to the right compared to the plane of the body. Like the neck is twisted a touch. Not sure if this is normal since most tension is on the E string side of the neck on basses anyway.
Maybe just with this really light set (Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats 40-95 I just need even more relief. But I never had to use so much before. In fact, I had the set on for at least a month before the rattle started.
Any ideas? Yes, I could reverse the changes I made but I see no reason why this string set cannot be used and intonated properly without rattle since I am in normal saddle travel limits. I guess I could try a higher gauge set but my left hand loves this light gauge.
I'm getting a mysterious rattle that I cannot seem to get rid of.
Wondering if anyone has any advice.
It is playable and not noticeable to the wife's ears but I can hear it and feel it.
This is the situation:
Mostly A and D strings at various frets from 4th-12th frets. Not the G string. E string only above 6th fret.
This started after these changes:
1. I have a lighter string set on. So much so that I had to back off the truss rod to get more relief, which is about a credit card between the 9th fret and bottom of E string when the string is held down at the first and last fret. So I know the neck is straight but with a little relief. I have never needed more relief than this with string sets that were higher gauge. The strings were on a month before it started. String integrity looks fine.
2. I intonated the strings, moving the saddles back a bit (lengthening the strings a bit, except for the g string saddle).
3. Action is same as always. 6/64 at 17th fret no press on the E string and 5/64 on G string. It even still rattles if I go 8/64 on the E string side.
4. My nut slots have always been a touch low but the strings don't rattle when played open. And the slots have been low for along time before this started. So not sure this has anything to do with it.
5. The bionics have plenty of clearance so the strings are not rattling against the pickups.
Note:
I have checked with a rocker for a high fret but there seems to be none. I have had the bass for 8 years now and never noticed one. Rocker confirms it.
When I sight down the neck, the neck looks straight with a touch of relief but I can see the plane of the headstock rotates a little to the right compared to the plane of the body. Like the neck is twisted a touch. Not sure if this is normal since most tension is on the E string side of the neck on basses anyway.
Maybe just with this really light set (Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats 40-95 I just need even more relief. But I never had to use so much before. In fact, I had the set on for at least a month before the rattle started.
Any ideas? Yes, I could reverse the changes I made but I see no reason why this string set cannot be used and intonated properly without rattle since I am in normal saddle travel limits. I guess I could try a higher gauge set but my left hand loves this light gauge.