Author Topic: Help (Read 99 times)

mint_bass · « **on:** April 23, 2005, 04:14:59 AM »

hi

I have a problem with my Epic and i have a gig tonoight and am going to have to play my Ibanez.

When i play the E string i get a buzz. i have tightened everything and the buzz seems to go along the neck as if the truss rod was viberating. i had the bass set up this morning and it still buzzes it first happened when i changed from playing DRs to la bellas so i just assumed i had a bad string and now i have put some rotosounds on and the buzz is the same.

I have ordered some new DRs to try them but can anyone think of anything else that might cause this.

Thanks Andrew

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2005, 05:31:31 AM »

First thoughts; check the nuts on the truss rod and make sure they are not loose. Check the bridge. Make sure the intonation nuts aren't loose, and the screws that hold the rails to the barrels, and the screw that hold the sustain block (if you have one) to the body. Check inside the control cavity and make sure nothing's loose, like the battery. Oh, and check the pickup screws.

mint_bass · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2005, 03:02:36 PM »

hi
thanks for your reply i will go hrough these checks one by one and let you know what happens
Andrew

gregbump · « **Reply #3 on:** April 26, 2005, 05:21:33 PM »

I recently had a similar problem on my Europa 5. I tracked it down to a rattle at the nut. I had just replaced my strings, and I accidentally cut the E string a little short. That meant fewer windings around the post on the tuning peg, so there was less pressure holding the string down on the nut. In other words, the downward angle of the string between the nut and the tuning peg was smaller.

I mashed the down on the string between the nut and the tuning peg and eventually got the rattle to go away. I was about to look for some sort of spacer to insert into the windings in an attempt to increase the angle, but the rattle disappeared before I had to do anything like that.

s_wood · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2005, 09:19:40 AM »

Andrew:

Have you figured out what your problem was? If so, please let us know so we can all be the wiser.

I had a rattle with one of my Alembics once that was driving crazy until I figured out that one of the nuts that fastened one of the tuning pegs to the front of the peghead had come loose. I tightened it with my fingers, and away went the rattle!

(Message edited by s_wood on April 30, 2005)

gregbump · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2005, 06:05:43 PM »

Just when I thought my rattle problems were through, I've got a new one. It sounds to me like the G and D strings are rattling against the fretboard BEHIND where I'm fretting (i.e. between my finger and the tuning pegs). I'm not sure why this particular rattle is being picked up by the pickups, but it is and it sounds awful. On the plus side, my strings are REALLY close to the neck

I suspect I will have to revisit my rods and bridge height tonight... it never ends Isn't that half the fun?

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2005, 04:29:29 AM »

If it is behind where your fretting double check the height of the nut. If it is to low the string can hit frets between the nut and note being fretted. Here are a couple of URLs about bass setup from the Must Read section:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16920.html?1109892258

http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16318.html?1107545767

Keith

mint_bass · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2005, 07:39:54 AM »

hi

I am going to have another go at getting rid of the rattle tonight and will update you all. a rattle on your favourite bass is so annoying.

I have been distracted as i have my final university exams and i just bought my self a six string Schecter. I really like the schecter so far so good its no Alembic but i really love it. It is made out of the exact same woods as my Epic minus the maplein the body. The body is mahogany with a bubinga top it is a neck through with a maple neck with walnut veneers. I am very happy with it.
I just have to learn how to play a six string bass now.

I will update you soon.

P.s. My squire conversion is almost finished and looks so cool i will post pics soon but here is a summary of what i have done:

right to left conversion i cut the top horn right off and reshaped it like an SG type shape.

I defretted it i just pulled the frets off with a butter knife and sanded down the figerboard. I have not filled the slots this does not seem to matter.

i shaved the neck down a good deal i find precison necks too chunky.

I repainted it it came in a horrible chipped and scratched black finish it was in terrible condition it is now a very funky silver which i applied by spray can.

i am having a new stainless steel scratchplate made.

I have outlined where the scratch plate goes with blue and and regular disco ball mirrors and have wrote the word funk with the same mirrors on the body and have outlined the headstock and bridge with them.

I have just left the volume and tone knobs under the scratch plate to avoid me knocking he with my wrists.

What do you think. As soon as i get the scratch plate i will post a before and after picture.