Saddle Rattle

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:27 am

I'm sure it's an easy fix but, I don't know how to do it. This bass belongs to my friend and I love the dark fingerboard so much I told him I'd get it set up proper for him. Saddle rattle and lower the action.

Tried to take a video of the issue. Posting a couple of pics because...well...it's an awesome 2012 4003.

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:35 am

...I assume in case of still valid warranty, the bridge should be returned to RIC (via your distributer/ seller) for exchange, but could well be that RIC only exchanges the ratteling riders, as they did in the past (reported here in the RRF).
In other case, I slide a small, flat piece of metal between the respective ratteling rider and the bridge surface (have that on my 4001) to fix this rider.
You're right, the rattle is awesome!

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 7:43 am

Looking inside the case, I see he never mailed in the warranty card. He's had it for a few months

Is that what it is though? The bridge is defective?

woodyng · Post by **woodyng** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 10:44 am

It Sounds like a built in fuzztone! Some people would pay extra for that!

And i have to say once again,the new fretboards with the FWI 's look incredible.

cassius987 · Post by **cassius987** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 11:14 am

Yeah, sounds like a loose saddle. Not bad compared to some--you might be able to fix it just by re-seating it and reinstalling the screw and spring. Sometimes the screw is angle up a bit causing the saddle to sit high, or a tighter spring may help. Otherwise get him in touch with RIC CS to get his warranty active and they'll take care of him. It's probably just a matter of replacing the part. Filing the saddle is not hard either; I used to be scared of it, but if you are patient it is easy work.

Kopfjaeger · Post by **Kopfjaeger** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 12:46 pm

What the heck??? Really weird. All this talk of saddle rattle has caused the D string saddle on my 2011 JG to begin making noise!! For over a year I knew a few saddles were raised a bit higher than others but it's been as quiet as a church mouse. I just swapped out strings two weeks ago and yesterday out of the blue the D is buzzing!! One or two other saddles are raised more than the D but they are silent. I can rock the D side to side a bit with ease and than makes it stop. It's not driving me nuts since I know what it is and I know how to make it stop. it;s just weird it just started!

Sepp

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:42 pm

Kopfjaeger wrote:What the heck??? Really weird. All this talk of saddle rattle has caused the D string saddle on my 2011 JG to begin making noise!! For over a year I knew a few saddles were raised a bit higher than others but it's been as quiet as a church mouse. I just swapped out strings two weeks ago and yesterday out of the blue the D is buzzing!! One or two other saddles are raised more than the D but they are silent. I can rock the D side to side a bit with ease and than makes it stop. It's not driving me nuts since I know what it is and I know how to make it stop. it;s just weird it just started!

Sepp

Sympathetic vibrations? Rally cry?

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:28 pm

I left a message for Richard. Let me get his advice before the bass gets more unsaddled

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:34 pm

Although the saddles were redesigned a couple years ago with the holes for the adjusting screws drilled higher, I still see this occasionally. The quick and easy fix for the newer saddles (which fit much tighter) is to remove it and drill the hole in the BRIDGE for the adjusting screw slightly oversize. This will allow the saddle to sit lower, and probably stop the rattling.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:30 am

The D's a rattlin' a little too. I'll try CS again tomorrow

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:01 am

aceonbass wrote:Although the saddles were redesigned a couple years ago with the holes for the adjusting screws drilled higher, I still see this occasionally. The quick and easy fix for the newer saddles (which fit much tighter) is to remove it and drill the hole in the BRIDGE for the adjusting screw slightly oversize. This will allow the saddle to sit lower, and probably stop the rattling.

...perfect remedy!

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:36 pm

Ric is the best. I got a call from CS but, coulda sworn the person's name was Benjamin not Richard. Anyway he told me to just tighten the screws on the bridge and it worked, without affecting the intonation. Worked out the bass being covered for the future too.

It pays to play Ric

brenduff1 · Post by **brenduff1** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:50 pm

Re: Saddle Rattle

Post by marc61 » Fri Sep 07, 2012 10:36 am
Ric is the best. I got a call from CS but, coulda sworn the person's name was Benjamin not Richard. Anyway he told me to just tighten the screws on the bridge and it worked, without affecting the intonation. Worked out the bass being covered for the future too.

It pays to play Ric

Hahaha it's Brendan not Benjamin, I'm the new customer service guy. Glad I could Help you out. If there are ever any other problems call again and i"ll do what i can to help.

kiramdear · Post by **kiramdear** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:55 pm

Hi, Brendan! Glad you have joined us!

brenduff1 · Post by **brenduff1** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:33 pm

kiramdear wrote:Hi, Brendan! Glad you have joined us!

Thank You! Been with the company for almost 2 years and just got moved up to this position. started in the rough mill and worked my way up to one of the set up positions, was there for almost a year and a half and then got moved up here.