Rattle from Sub Ray 4

[BrotherRab]

I'm new (and I mean, 3 days in) to owning a bass (or any guitar for that matter.) I understand that its a beginners bass, but I'm at my wits end already trying to identify a rattle that sounds to be coming from under the pick guard/around the pickup. It only happens on the E (almost constantly) and A (off and on) strings. I've checked for obvious loose screws, and have ruled out the knobs, cable pot, pickup itself (it's not rattling at least), and bridge. It's definitely coming from the body somewhere though.

It's loud enough that I can hear it over my amp. I love the design and don't want to get rid of it, but the sound is killing me.

Any ideas or suggestions? I checked with the place I bought it (Guitar Center) and they just kind of blew it off as a build quality issue for a low end bass.

 

[nurnay]

Have you tried removing the pickguard to see if anything is loose/cracked/missing underneath?

 

[BrotherRab]

Got the pick guard off, cleaned up some of the left over shavings from (I assume) drilling the pickguard holes. Everything seems OK. Tried adjusting the pickup (lowered it and then brought it back up) and it didn't make a difference. Kids finally went to bed and got a good listen up close. The sound seems to be coming from in between the pickup and the bridge. I'm sure it's probably not there at all, but thats where it seems to originate.

I checked the screws attaching the bridge to the body and they are all relatively tight. I don't want to mess with the individual saddle heights or change the intonation. I've barely learned the lingo and don't feel comfortable messing with that yet.

I'll likely call a different Guitar Center in the area tomorrow and see if they are any more sympathetic to my plight. I get the impression that they should have made sure the setup was correct before letting me leave the store rather than what I did (take the guitar off the shelf, grab a gig bag, and take it to the counter.)

Thanks for the help.

 

[nurnay]

If nothing else, call EBMM customer service. They're the best. Maybe GC shouldn't have let you leave without a setup, I've never counted on that from chain stores. Do call customer service.

 

[bovinehost]

If nothing else, call EBMM customer service. They're the best. Maybe GC shouldn't have let you leave without a setup, I've never counted on that from chain stores. Do call customer service.

Well, it's not a Music Man bass, though, so - you know?

The seller, if it's a new bass and within certain time limits, should be - SHOULD BE - willing to tackle a rattle. It's not rocket science.

 

[jlepre]

Brian Martin <[email protected]>

 

[BrotherRab]

Thanks for the link! Contacted them this morning. Waiting to hear back.

 

[SBMM]

I don't see your email to me. I could have ended up in SPAM file. What is your email address?

 

[nurnay]

Well, it's not a Music Man bass, though, so - you know?.

/facepalm

 

[Big Ron]

I would check to see if one of your saddle screws is loose and rattling. One of mine vibrated its way loose, you can tell if the saddle itself is touching the bottom of the bridge and if you wiggle the screw (either by hand or with an allen) and it feels loose, that would be it. Also try holding your finger against each of the springs on the intonation screws on the bridge. I had a pbass that would rattle and it was the intonation springs vibrating. Other than that, def have someone take a look at it.