Brass Cover Plate rattle?

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Author Message tomiv9 New Username: tomiv9 Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2015 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2015 - 10:45 am:    I have noticed the back plate on my Distillate rattles a little bit on some notes when i play unplugged. Anyone else have this issue? I was thinking of trying to insulate the inside somehow, anyone have any suggestions? 5a_quilt_top Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 475 Registered: 6-2012 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2015 - 11:02 am:    Yes. My Spyder was so resonant that the back control cavity cover plate rattled. I placed some small strips of thin cotton cloth between the cover plate and the wooden edge of the cavity and that stopped the rattle when I replaced the cover and tightened the screws. It took me quite awhile to figure out what was causing the rattle. I originally thought it was a string, or the bridge or a loose pickup screw. These basses are so resonant that everything vibrates, which can sometimes make it challenging to track down the source of a rattle. You might also want to check to make sure the cover plate isn't warped slightly - if it is, it won't make good contact with the edge of the cavity. You'll want to correct this as much as possible prior to doing anything else. keith_h Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2182 Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2015 - 1:44 pm:    I would also check the ferrite core and battery to see if they might be rattling. To fix just use a bit of foam. Keith tomiv9 New Username: tomiv9 Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2015 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 4:18 am:    Thanks guys! Not sure what a ferrite core is though? jacko Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3654 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 6:18 am:    It's the grey metal tube that the pickup wires go through - cuts down on RF interference. Graeme pauldo Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1468 Registered: 6-2006 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 9:42 am:    My Distillate's cover will rattle also. I do not over torque the screws as stripping them out could be a real bugger . . . so when she starts to rattle I will just snug up the screws a tad. <edit> Thomas, I see you are new here - we really enjoy pictures of others instruments. You should go here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/419.html?1422414448 And start a thread for your Distillate. David's suggestion is wise, the cloth would act like a gasket and probably assist with holding the torque of the screws. (Message edited by pauldo on March 31, 2015) 5a_quilt_top Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 478 Registered: 6-2012 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 12:10 pm:    Just make sure the cloth, or other chosen material, is thin, otherwise it will cause the cover to protrude slightly above the surface of the bass (also undesirable). And - Pauldo is correct - take care that you do not over-tighten the screws. "Screwed" THAT up trying to fix a rattling PRS Custom 24 truss rod cover several years ago - ouch. Ahhh - the price we pay for resonance... lidon2001 Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 545 Registered: 4-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 7:39 pm:    Stash the brass, make yourself a cover from single ply pickguard material, and lose one half a pound off your shoulder. tomiv9 New Username: tomiv9 Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2015 Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2015 - 6:50 am:    Awesome thanks for the help guys. I actually just loosened a few of the screws a bit and presto, problem solved. I think 1 or 2 were just too tight. I didnt notice any ferrite core though, is that something that should be on a 1981 Distillate? I'll try and post pics soon too, but it's this bass : http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/145489.html?1357078537