Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

[Xeromus]

I've been having this problem with my ESP lately. I've had it professionally set up and did minor adjustments myself also. Mainly on the high strings and mainly when notes are picked open there is a buzz or rattle coming from the bridge. The bridge/tailpiece angle are set so that the strings don't touch the back side of the bridge and they come right off the saddles down to the tailpiece, the correct way to do it. This is a high quality bridge too, it's the Tonepros locking system. It sounds like screws are rattling with vibration or the saddles are. Only problem is that there are small bushings between the intonation screws and the bridge itself to prevent that. And I've never heard of saddles rattling especially when all that downforce is applied to them.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[JALIN]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

My B string saddle used to rattle and this was on a new custom shop Les Paul . I ended that annoying noise with replacement saddles from Graphtech. The Graphtech saddles fit much tighter therefore leave no room for rattles.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

My B string saddle used to rattle and this was on a new custom shop Les Paul . I ended that annoying noise with replacement saddles from Graphtech. The Graphtech saddles fit much tighter therefore leave no room for rattles.

do they ruin the sustain of the guitar though? I mean it's not as dense of a material.

Thanks for the suggestion though. I was afraid someone was going to pop in here and say, "that wouldn't happen with a Les Paul" which shortly after I would strangle them. It's a hardware issue with higher quality hardware than gibson puts on their guitars.

I'll check out the graphtech saddles

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

I had this problem on my Tone Pros. It turns out in the first months they were selling them, they had this problem. THere is a rather inexpensive, easy fix. Just email them or call them, they're great to work with. They'll send you 6 or 7 of these little c-clamp type washers. You'll have to take off the bridge and unscrew each saddle. Without looking at it (I'm at work), you have to slide this little washer over the adjustment screw. It'll hold everything nice and tight.

Just email the Tone Pros guys and they'll hook you up. You won't be the first one to ask for help on this issue. Tell them that I told you about it if you want. I think they know who I am at this point I've helped them sell so many of those bridges.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

I had this problem on my Tone Pros. It turns out in the first months they were selling them, they had this problem. THere is a rather inexpensive, easy fix. Just email them or call them, they're great to work with. They'll send you 6 or 7 of these little c-clamp type washers. You'll have to take off the bridge and unscrew each saddle. Without looking at it (I'm at work), you have to slide this little washer over the adjustment screw. It'll hold everything nice and tight.

Just email the Tone Pros guys and they'll hook you up. You won't be the first one to ask for help on this issue. Tell them that I told you about it if you want. I think they know who I am at this point I've helped them sell so many of those bridges.

Thank you scott. I'll give them a call right now. They are great guys. They hooked me up a while ago. First time I brought this guitar into my tech he didn't forgot to loosen up the screws on the tailpiece (locking screws) and put a nice groove through them. He offered to pay for it of course so I called them to see what it would cost and they just mailed them out to me for free.

edit: would you happen to have their phone number around? I lost the tonepros packet that it was on. And it isn't on their web site.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

It may be that the tailpieces aren't smooth. Check them out and see if they have heavy wear or some other problems.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

Thanks for the suggestion though. I was afraid someone was going to pop in here and say, "that wouldn't happen with a Les Paul" which shortly after I would strangle them. It's a hardware issue with higher quality hardware than gibson puts on their guitars.

You see, that wouldn't happen on a... oh sh!t! :laugh2:

Just kidding bro.

Also, check to make sure that the saddle and nut is notched properly for the string. :burnout:

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

I had this problem on my Tone Pros. It turns out in the first months they were selling them, they had this problem. THere is a rather inexpensive, easy fix. Just email them or call them, they're great to work with. They'll send you 6 or 7 of these little c-clamp type washers. You'll have to take off the bridge and unscrew each saddle. Without looking at it (I'm at work), you have to slide this little washer over the adjustment screw. It'll hold everything nice and tight.

Just email the Tone Pros guys and they'll hook you up. You won't be the first one to ask for help on this issue. Tell them that I told you about it if you want. I think they know who I am at this point I've helped them sell so many of those bridges.

Scott's probably right. I haven't had experience with the Tone Pro stuff, but if that doesn't work, a common problem with Tune-o-matic bridges is with the retaining wire that rests over the adjustment screws. If you can locate which screw is buzzing (actually it's the wire buzzing on the screw), use a pencil (eraser side obviously) to gently push/bend the wire down on both sides of the screw. If that fails, buy a new retainer wire, they're cheap.

Try Scott's suggestion first. You paid enough for that bridge that they should stand behind the product.

Jeff

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

Yea i actually have the same prob.. i dont hear it all the time but every once in a while i will randomly hear this buzz that doesnt sound like fret buzz and it bothers me because i cant figure out what it is. btw jeff, i have no idea what you are talking about with the wire.. i dont see any wire on the bridge itself.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: Tune-o-matic bridge mystery rattle (tonepros)

Thats funny. I was just changing my strings and noticed the buzzing too. I heard it every once in a while before but Thought I might need a setup or something I am going to call Tonepros myself. Thanks for the info.