Ratting/Buzzing From Loose Hardware

[RedBarchetta]

Ever since I bought my guitar, I've noticed a rattling noise on the A string when played open (never fretted). I just changed strings for the first time and noticed that the small, cylindrical piece (ferrule) of the string-through bridge was loose and could be pulled out a little on the back side. Obviously when then the guitar is wound, there is enough tension to keep it in there. But do you think this could be the SOURCE of that rattling? Wouldn't it also be audible when played on any fret? I am concerned that my brand new American is already going to make a trip to the shop! :( Is this something I can fix on my own?

[KokoTele]

If you can locate the actual problem yourself, you can almost always fix it yourself. It doesn't take any particularly special skill to find something loose and tighten it down.

I'm sure it wasn't the ferrule on the back of the guitar that was rattling. Your intuition was right, and the tension from the string would hold it in place and keep that from happening. Still, it would be a good idea next time you have that string off to put a dab of glue in the hole to keep the ferrule from falling out when you don't want it to. They're easy to lose.

As for finding the actual rattle... the best thing to do is just to pluck the string with one hand while you press on various parts with the other until the noise goes away.

Rattles are funny sometimes, and don't always happen at every frequency. That's why you might notice the rattle when you play an A, but not a D.

[homerzeppelin]

Was that tuner tight? I've had that cause rattles before.

[RedBarchetta]

I think I've narrowed it down to the nut. I put some pressure on the string directly over the nut to make it snug in there...and no rattling! What does this mean?

[BelairPlayer]

I think you're describing a particularly bad fret buzz, no? I think when you put your finger over the string at/near the nut your altering the normal vibrating pattern of the open string near the fret its buzzing at.
Obvious possible causes, poorly cut nut (too deep), or truss rod poorly adjusted, or perhaps high fret near the nut.
Probably just in need of a good setup.

[KokoTele]

Are you sure you weren't damping some strings when pressing down on the nut? There's already quite a bit of pressure on the nut from the strings, so it would be hard for the nut itself to rattle.

My first guess is that you have a nut slot that's not angled right, so the string is vibrating against the slot instead of sitting snug in it.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by KokoTele

Are you sure you weren't damping some strings when pressing down on the nut? There's already quite a bit of pressure on the nut from the strings, so it would be hard for the nut itself to rattle.

My first guess is that you have a nut slot that's not angled right, so the string is vibrating against the slot instead of sitting snug in it.

If this is the case, it's most lily from a vertical angle problem on the nut, right? As in higher on the headstock end than fret end? This is what I'm reading. But what about a sideways angle problem, like treble to bass side?

[RedBarchetta]

How would I know if it's a loose saddle problem? What signs would I look for to know if my saddles are loose? Should I remove the bridge and see if they float around? What would that look like if they did?

[KokoTele]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

If this is the case, it's most lily from a vertical angle problem on the nut, right? As in higher on the headstock end than fret end? This is what I'm reading. But what about a sideways angle problem, like treble to bass side?

Here's a link with lots of good info and photos: http://frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician...uts/nuts3.html

Too much to re-type, and it's better if you get it right from the source. If this was a factory nut, it's mostly likely the vertical angle. I doubt a sideways angle would make it past QC.

Your saddles won't be loose for the same reason that the nut wouldn't be loose. There's already plenty of pressure holding them down.

[RedBarchetta]

I am getting so frustrated! I don't want to mess around with my brand new American. Do you think I could trust a regular old guitar shop to solve this problem?

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

I am getting so frustrated! I don't want to mess around with my brand new American. Do you think I could trust a regular old guitar shop to solve this problem?

It depends on the Shop....Texas is a Big State, why not post a question about advice on good techs in your area of the State. ??

[bad porcupine]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

I am getting so frustrated! I don't want to mess around with my brand new American. Do you think I could trust a regular old guitar shop to solve this problem?

I think if you relax a bit and go at it patiently and systematically, you'll be able to isolate the culprit eventually. Then you will feel good about yourself for fixing it

[RedBarchetta]

If I put some downward pressure directly on top of the nut, the buzzing doesn't occur. I'm not sure if this is "diagnostic" or not.

[KokoTele]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

If I put some downward pressure directly on top of the nut, the buzzing doesn't occur. I'm not sure if this is "diagnostic" or not.

Yes, it is! That's a very good indication that the problem is at the nut. Did you check out the link I sent you? Frank Ford has lots of good info, and if you read what he has there you'll have enough information to fully diagnose the problem.