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MTD Problem, need quick fix - please help!


willbill0587

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Posted

My MTD came today which is great because we have a gig tomorrow.

I plugged it in after playin my Jazz bass and the MTD was sooo much easier to play. It was smoother feeling, quicker I love it. Its probably the best 'feeling' bass I've ever tried.

Its all good except for one thing, when you hit open E, the whole bass seems to rattle. This comes through on the amp as well. It stops if I apply a tiny bit of pressure on the string in between the nut and the tuner.

 

What could be the problem?

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Posted

 

Its all good except for one thing, when you hit open E, the whole bass seems to rattle. This comes through on the amp as well. It stops if I apply a tiny bit of pressure on the string in between the nut and the tuner.


What could be the problem?

 

 

this makes me wonder if *maybe* the e-string isn't applying enough downward pressure where it passes through the nut. pull the string off, and re-wind it such that the "loops" of string around the tuner post are moving downward toward the headstock.

 

i can't find a picture of what i'm trying to say, but i think you get the gist of it. the string, as tension is applied, should "spiral" downward toward the headstock.

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Posted

 

this makes me wonder if *maybe* the e-string isn't applying enough downward pressure where it passes through the nut. pull the string off, and re-wind it such that the "loops" of string around the tuner post are moving downward toward the headstock.


i can't find a picture of what i'm trying to say, but i think you get the gist of it. the string, as tension is applied, should "spiral" downward toward the headstock.

oooh.

thats good advice.

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Posted

oooh.

thats good advice.

 

holy crap! i need to save this page forever. the mightly BALLGAG had something nice to say :D:D:D:D

 

naah man, just the first thought in my brain. if the bass is brand new, that'd be one of the first things i checked...

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Posted

I agree, it could be an improper winding.

 

I could be wrong but the whole bass should vibrate but not rattle. Rattle implies something or a few things are loose.

 

You need to use your ear and find where the rattling originates.

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Posted

The string is wound correctly, exactly as you say it should be.

I can't find anything loose on it and it only does it on an open E. Strange...
:confused:

 

Painful as it may be, I would send it back. :cry:

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Posted

Is it an adjustable/ locking bridge? Make sure all screws are tight. Maybe its your basses "wolf note" ? Try tuning doen to Eb, and playing the E @ the 1st fret. If it still happens, its the basses harmonics, if not, its the nut (imo).

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Posted

I'll try that cheers:thu:

If I cannot fix it I will just put a peg or something there to push the string down a bit, no way is this going back.

 

Oh, does anyone know what MTD strings are stock on their basses? Do they have their own brand?

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Posted
Zero fret?

It has an extra fret next to the nut yeah, is that what you mean?

Yup. That's the zero fret. It's designed to make open notes sound closer to fretted notes. I'm not sure if the issue has something to do with what kind of break angle the nut is providing over the zero fret or not. I'm no expert, I was just curious.

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Posted

I'll try that cheers:thu:

If I cannot fix it I will just put a peg or something there to push the string down a bit, no way is this going back.


Oh, does anyone know what MTD strings are stock on their basses? Do they have their own brand?

 

 

If they have yellow thread on the windings, they are probably MTD strings. They do have their own brand, but of course I'm sure they are manufactured by an actual string company, I just don't know which one.

 

 

If you are having to push it down (causing it to go sharp) to stop the rattle, it sounds to me like you need to try adjusting the action. Try raising the E string a little first........:idk:

 

BTW, I love my Kingston 5'er!:love:

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Posted

Right, when I push the string down behind the nut, it lifts the string off the zero fret and the rattle goes away.

Rowka, are you saying that the string should be fully resting on the zero fret yeah? And the problem may be that the string isn't either on it or off it, somewhere in between?

 

Should I groove out the nut a little more or raise the action? I like the action how it is so...?

 

sludgebass, When I push it down, it doesn't change the tuning, I only have to put a tiny amount of pressure on it to stop the rattle.

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Posted

 

.

Rowka, are you saying that the string should be fully resting on the zero fret yeah? And the problem may be that the string isn't either on it or off it, somewhere in between?


Should I groove out the nut a little more or raise the action? I like the action how it is so...?

 

 

The string should be solidly ON the zero fret. Not kinda on it. Not off it.

If it isn't then file the nut slot deeper (without touching the zero fret).

The zero fret needs to be proud of the nut slot.

 

Look closely. Is this where the issue is?

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Posted

BTW willbill, the nut on zero fret instruments is mainly for holding the string in place so it don't just slid back and forth. If the nut slot is "pinching" the string then you only have to widen the slot slightly. To test for this, use a tuner and tune to pitch, then press the string down inbetween the nut and tuning peg for just second, release, and check the tuner to see if it returns to pitch. If it stays sharp, your slot is squeezing the string, not allowing it to return to it's natural state.

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