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Rattling Problem

This is my favorite git for the past 9 months, but, I tuned it down from GDg to DAd and now I am noticing a rattle when striking the bass string heavier, not on a light touch though. I added a hold down to the head, it didn't seem to have enough string break, but it did not solve the problem. I took the back off it tonight and started eliminating things and tightening everything, even took the switches out to eliminate them and it still rattles. There is nothing left inside that is not mounted solid. When I bump it with the palm of my hand, I can hear something that sounds like a loose washer or something. It's fine on the higher tunings, but the lower is bad. I did notice too, that I can hear it in all the strings when plucked at mid point of the string, this is driving me crazy! I can hear it, most pronounced in the sound chamber, although I can also hear it in the head.

Is it possible, that it is the penny tuners that I used? I'm beginning to wonder, any ideas here?

Photo Album: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/albums/rattle-problem

Any ideas here are welcome, please add your thoughts.

Kevin

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on February 15, 2012 at 9:13pm

You know, I've had the same problem.

"...something that sounds like a loose washer..."

Those tuners, could it be the washers? The bushings?

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin O'Connor on February 15, 2012 at 9:26pm

Well... I guess that's good news in the aspect that now I don't feel "exclusive" to this problem. Maybe we can work this out and we will all be happy! Thanks Clock for the input.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 15, 2012 at 9:28pm

I have had similar problems too. Sometimes worked them out. Sometimes not. I hope you hear from some expert builders. I don't count myself in that group..

Is that bass string moveable side to side in the nut or saddle? Looks like it could be moving at the nut. That can be it. Could be a tuner like Clock said. Yeah, a buzzing moving tuner has caused me trouble... Does not have to be the one the string goes to.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 15, 2012 at 9:31pm

Put some thumb pressure down on the saddle over the string. See if it still buzzes. That saddle could be tippy. Dang, it sure is a pretty saddle.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin O'Connor on February 15, 2012 at 9:36pm

UJ, I've worked my saddle as well as the nut untill it's as tight as a ****. I am almost sure that it is not there anymore, I don't know how much closer I can get them, I've spent quite a few hours on that end of it. I guess I can always go back to GDg and everything will be good! (but I really like the open D tune)

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Permalink Reply by Kevin O'Connor on February 15, 2012 at 9:41pm

Uncle John, I must have been writing whtn you sent the last comment. But, yes, it still does it. That fact that I can hear something loose when I have it apart leads me to believe that it is something else that I haven't located yet.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 15, 2012 at 9:53pm

Well, I really believe that sometimes these gits want a certain tuning. Got one besides me now that likes CGC, but not DAD with the same strings.

Got one that buzzed with DGB, later put different strings on - GDG and it's a trooper - one of my faves. I have to put them aside sometimes or I get frustrated. Seems they often sound better after the strings have been on overnight. And of course the old humidity thing makes some difference. Not as much with cbgs as with factory acoustics...

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin O'Connor on February 15, 2012 at 10:04pm

Thanks John, maybe that's the case here. I'm just the kind of person that wants everythign to work! Maybe I'll just have to let it go and be satisfied.

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Permalink Reply by Ross Porter on February 15, 2012 at 10:05pm

I have an Ovation w/ tuners like that and have had the nuts work loose twice and cause a buzz/rattle. Drove me nuts for a month until I figured it out. De tension the sting and check they are tight.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin O'Connor on February 15, 2012 at 10:08pm

Thanks Ross, I'll try that tomorrow when I get home from work, haven't tried that yet. I'm going to bed and maybe some other ideas will come in too

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Permalink Reply by Andy Eight Spades CBG on February 16, 2012 at 3:51am

I would say It's a loose knob on a tuner. Have had this happen with these types of machines. When you changed the tuning I bet one loosened a bit. Try tightening the screws on the end of the knobs. Other than that, I wouldn't know......

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Permalink Reply by David L. on February 16, 2012 at 5:51am

Hi Kevin,

I am not sure what gauge strings you are using but I have found it is harder to down tune the thicker bass strings below what they are meant to be tuned to. The drop in tension results in a floppier string which will rattle and also add to any existing rattles. If you put in the scale length and desired note this gives you the suggested string gauge needed.

http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm

Are the strings fully clear of the box at the tail piece? If not the lower tension might let them vibrate a bit onto the box lid and also I had one CBG with a similar problem because the nut slots were a bit too horizontal so that on lower tensions it had a sitar kind of sound - putting a finger on the string above the nut or between the tailpiece and bridge should help locate it if this is the problem.

As it is fine on higher tunings personally I'd get the string gauges as per the above calculator and see how they sound.

David