Bass pickup issue...rattling.

[timtwo]

My bridge pickup has a noticeable rattling sound in it when the the D string is played.
So it is only confined to that string and a few spots on the fret board on that string.
It actually comes through the speakers a bit.
I haven't resorted to taking the pickup out just yet but looks like Im going to give it a closer inspection.
Adjusting the pickup height and tightening the pickup ring screws did not resolve this so i assume it is something
internal. Any tips on what I might be looking for and what I should and should not do?
Thanks for any help everyone.

[olrocknroller]

? A few places on the neck? By this I assume you mean that the pickup buzzes at certain frequencies of sound? If the strings are buzzing ON the neck, that will certainly be amplified. If it is in the pickup, I sometimes can solve this problem by putting a piece of soft foam under the pup. This is the least invasive approach I've used, and does not seem to affect the tone of the guitar...

[Mr. Bill]

Finding rattles can be one of the hardest tasks to do, because there are so many things that can be involved. Is the screw vibrating, or is it the coil? Is it the magnet or is it the cover? Or is it something that is close to the pickup that is rattling?

The first thing that I would suggest is that you take a piece of masking tape and tape the cover to the pickup ring. See if that either stops the rattle or changes the notes that cause the rattle. If that doesn't work tape the pole pieces down to the cover. Does that change anything?

If that doesn't find it, then you will have to remove the pickup and see what's going on inside the guitar and maybe inside the pickup.

By the way what sort of bass is this that you are talking about?

[timtwo]

it is this bass mr bill...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4912

[Dennisthe Menace]

I'm wandering if it might be the 'D' saddle itself. Certain frequencies (notes that are played) might be
causing the saddle to vibrate, therefore it being amplified through the p'up.....just a guess..... .

[oipunkguy]

sometimes the metal bar that is epoxied to the bottom of the pickup doesnt hole the height adjustment screw the greatest. it might be that. to can solve that issue but slight bending the bar to give the screw a wee bit more bite. not saying thats your problem, but thats somehting I would check if it was me. but first thing I would do is check the string saddle. hope this helps. good luck.

[timtwo]

I had a moment to look into this last night...
it is definitely coming from inside the pickup.
The noise/vibration is audible without playing through an amp.

So I removed the pickup and it is pretty sealed shut in the back with key lime green epoxy/foam...its actually
quite a nice color...but I digress. I did a light tightening of the pole pieces, didnt help any. Beyond this, there was nothing I really could do without busting the seal from the goop in the back. So it is either deal with the buzz or try to replace it with an old pickup...which i dont want to mess with the 100% originality of the bass. If I play finger style it doesnt make the buzzing, but certainly does with a pick on the open D.