-
My Sadowsky archtop gas been ratting only on certain notes. I think I have it nailed down to the pickguard against the pickup ring. But is it possible I need to do the old rubber tube over the pickup springs trick? Could that be a source of a rattling sound on certain notes?
-
11-16-2023 01:20 PM
-
It's easy to remove the pickguard. I'd remove the pickguard first to diagnose the issue.
-
Um rattling of course, not "ratting."
Originally Posted by Woody Sound
-
Yeah, that's what I was going to do. I HATE futzing around with pickup springs. I even bought one of those little gadgets to hold the spring down while you screw into the pickup, still had an awkward time of it. That's why I very rarely try different pickups. Originally Posted by Tal_175
-
There is another method that doesn't involve unscrewing the pickup height screws. You can cut two strips of foam to insert under the pickup ring tightly between the pickup and ring along the long edges. This method does involve removing the pickups but at least it doesn't require separating rings and pickups.
Of course there is always the "insert a narrow object between the ring and the pickup" method.
-
I had that going on in my Ibanez
I put some insulating tape round the pus
(didn't need to remove pus I just raised the pus within the rings , stuck the tape on and then
lowered the pus back down)
I also used a piece of an old sax reed between the pus and ring
Not pretty but hey .... it works
-
Literally, I’ve yet to find a hollowbody that didn’t have some kind of rattle going on with certain notes. Very annoying but seems to be part of the game. The trick is to be able to identify serious issues like a rattling truss rod or loose bracing. The rest can be solved with little tricks like the ones mentioned here.
-
I usually remove the pickguard straight away (of there's one at all).
-
Probably not this, but sometimes the wiring, particularly the relatively long wires going from the pickup to the controls or from the controls to the output jack, can get into a position where it rattles against some part of the guitar internally. Test is to just reach in and move the wires a little bit after a rattle and see what happens.
-
There are multiple threads here on the forum discussing archtop rattles and buzzes. The list of possibilities is endless, including things that aren't even on the guitar, especially if an amplifier is in use.
-
OP here, turns out is was *two* issues. The guard against the ring, and the pu against the ring. Different notes will set off one of the two. Will start with the latter, guard is off. Once that has been fixed, will address the former. Maybe some thin felt between the two.
-
I used a narrow strip of thin, soft, black high bond tape around the inside of the ring to secure the EMG neck p/u in my LP. Even a small (1/4”?) piece at the center of each side might do the trick. But if there’s clearance for a continuous strip, it’s more likely to stay put long term. I had some very thin foam tape that worked well. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
Keep it a mm below the top of the ring and it won’t be visible. I wouldn’t put anything on the pickup itself. The thinnest felt sold to put on the bottom of knickknacks to protect furniture would be ideal if there’s clearance for it, but I suspect it’s too thick.
-
Thanks, actually I was referring to the area between the back of the guard and the top of the ring. Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
-
Well this is strange. I got a piece of black duct tape (the pickup is a black DiMarzio) and stuck it between the pu and ring. The rattling got worse!
-
It may have worsened because there is still space between the pickup and the ring, but less, so movement makes it hit the ring more. More tape might help. Or not, hard to say. Duct tape wouldn't be my first choice, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.
-
Sorry - I must have misunderstood this: Originally Posted by Woody Sound
I’ve never had a problem like that with a guard. But the same kind of tape in the right place should fix it. I’d avoid duct tape. Once it’s been in place for months, it’s hard to remove and leaves serious residue behind. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
-
This. I have for 40 years had a piece of a clarinet reed wedged between a PU and its ring on my 175. So far it still works untouched. Crude but it works. Originally Posted by pingu
-
I've used clarinet reeds, as well as guitar picks, as quick fixes. I have a box full of picks that I don't use, of various thicknesses, and there is usually one that fits perfectly. IME some tubing (latex, silicone, whatever) of the proper inside diameter and length over the springs is a more permanent and better-looking fix. It seems to absorb the vibrations better and doesn't cause the pickup to vibrate inside the ring.
-
Thanks so much for all of your suggestions, I finally resolved this using a combination of them. Raised the pu as far as it would go, wrapped a narrow strip of black insulation tape all the way around it, and lowered it snugly back into position. Worked like a charm, no rattling, it's secure and silent. And you can barely see it unless you are looking for it. Now I'd like to find a real ebony ring that fits.
-
Luthier's Mercantile used to have ebony pickup rings, and I have bought a couple. Ebony is no longer available from a quick search of the site, but ziricote and Indian rosewood is, and they're not so far off of ebony in color, and could be dyed. There are many other species available in addition.
Search
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos