MIA Fender Jazz Bass string rattle when plucking by bridge.

[Joon Yang]

Hello!

I have a 2012 MIA fender jazz bass that has some kind of rattle on the E and A string when I pluck by bridge pick-up. There seems to be no rattling (or less audible) when I pluck by the neck. Moreover, the rattling gets worse as I go towards the bridge. I don't hear the rattle when I play the guitar through an amp.

I am not sure if I had this problem all along but I noticed it AFTER I adjusted pick-up and bridge height. And now, no matter how I adjust my pickup/bridge saddle, I can't make the rattling go away. Also, it seems like it is very difficult to make the saddle parallel to the body when just using an eye balling it.

I tightened every screws on guitar and the problem still occurs. I have changed the string as well. I have adjusted truss rod with the capo on 1st fret while using the .012 feeler gauge. But again, it seems like I have noticed this problem after messing with the height of pickup/bridge saddle.

Is this supposed to be a normal thing with guitars that have "two legged" saddles or does mine have a problem?

Thank you guys!

 

[Mushroo]

Is the rattle on fretted notes, or only open strings? Does it go away if you press down on the string between the nut and the tuning peg?

 

[Joon Yang]

Is the rattle on fretted notes, or only open strings? Does it go away if you press down on the string between the nut and the tuning peg?

Hello, it is on both open AND fretted noted. But it does seem a little louder when I fret the notes.

 

[tbplayer59]

One thing to keep in mind... when we play without an amp, we tend to play harder to make it audible.
What did you do the saddles when you adjusted them? Raise or lower the action?

 

[electracoyote]

Saddle springs vibrating?

 

[Joon Yang]

One thing to keep in mind... when we play without an amp, we tend to play harder to make it audible.
What did you do the saddles when you adjusted them? Raise or lower the action?

The problem still occurs when I pick lightly. Regarding your question, I have lowered the bridge, following the number on Fender's website. I tried raising them again but the rattling is still there.

 

[tbplayer59]

FWIW - I never use feelers or measurements when I set up my basses, and I think I do a pretty good job. True, it takes a couple tries to get it just right, but I adjust, play and readjust.

 

[steelin4u]

I second the vote for saddle springs. Is the rattle much more noticeable when unplugged?

 

[5alive]

Its definitely a string height issue. Raise the height slightly.

 

[tzohn]

Also check if you have good contact of the strings in the nut slots especially if you use lighter gauge strings. Press with your finger hard on the string at the nut and pluck the
open strings.

 

[electracoyote]

Also check if you have good contact of the strings in the nut slots especially if you use lighter gauge strings. Press with your finger hard on the string at the nut and pluck the
open strings.

Hello, it is on both open AND fretted noted. But it does seem a little louder when I fret the notes.

Nut slots won't rattle on fretted notes.

Its definitely a string height issue. Raise the height slightly.

I tried raising them again but the rattling is still there.

Looks like he tried that.

Saddle springs. I've heard it at least a hundred times over the decades.

 

[5alive]

Nut slots won't rattle on fretted notes.





Looks like he tried that.

Saddle springs. I've heard it at least a hundred times over the decades.

I missed that part.