G-string rattle

[Demious]

I know there are many posts about Fender Strats with a G-string rattle (and a tiny bit on the B-string), but I'm getting at the end of the line and still havent found a solution. Meanwhile, the rattle is so dominant that Im starting to develop an aversion against playing this guitar, while I do need it for so many things.

It's a 2019 Mexican Player model, although there's not much left of the original guitar, besides the wood and screws. Highwood saddles, Seymour Duncan pickups, Graphtec nut and string trees, Fender/Schaller staggered locking tuners, custom electronics with high quality pots and a Fender 5-way Super-switch.

The rattle is not a problem with the nut, its clearly audible when the string is fretted at any position.
I tried dampening the tremolo springs, the springs from the saddles, the springs from the pickups, as well as the electronic wiring.
The frets have been leveled and crowned and with that I've done everything Ive been able to find in existing posts on forums and from conversations with stores.

Does anyone have an idea what else I can try to fix this problem?

 

[racerx819]

Grease the two screws that adjust the saddle height. Or drop some nail polish in/on the saddle screws.

You could also put some tape under the G saddle to buffer any vibration (this would help diagnose the issue, and eliminate the screw contact points as the source.

Reintonate

Replace the saddle completely (this could also help diagnose the issue). Use the OEM saddle

Change your strings!

 

[Tsjackson]

It’s 100% only definitely just the g string?

 

[Sonic Les]

The only thing that rattles on my 2018 player is the clip on tuner .when i remove it no rattle . take out the trem arm and spring and put your fingers on every thing including pickups till you trace the rattle .

 

[Hal Nico]

Check that the small grub screws that set the heights of the Bridge saddles are not lose and both are square onto the base plate.

HTH

 

[D7alt]

 

[D7alt]

Neck might need work. I kept having that problem, and spent many months trying to solve it by revising the set-up, etc.. Extremely frustrating.
In the end took my Strat to the very best techs I know in town. A refret, a plek and full set-up to my liking. It is now a top player.

 

[alainvey]

Make sure the locking tuners are tightened properly - I’ve been convinced I had a problem with the nut when it was just the thumbscrew not being tight enough and vibrating.

 

[Textele]

Check that the small grub screws that set the heights of the Bridge saddles are not lose and both are square onto the base plate.

HTH

That is usually the culprit right there.

And it doesn't take much. The set screws can appear to the eye as being in contact, but just a slight turn clockwise might do it.

Hope you get it figured out, those type of things can be frustrating.

 

[Danimal92Sport]

Pretty sure that’s also the name of a hip hop dance

 

[Demious]

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I think I'm going to put the saddles under the microscope, for starts.

 

[briand135]

I had a similar problem with my 2019 Player. A rattling sitar sound from one of the strings. I did the same thing, locking tuners, roller string tree, greased the nut...nothing worked until I got a tip from a luthier that it was more than likely a flat spot on the original Fender stamped bent steel bridge saddle and that made sense since the old electric sitar used in older recordings was actually a Tele with long bridge saddles. I put block saddles in and it stopped it dead without any tone loss.

 

[Fireroadeddy]

Make sure the staged tuners are in the correct position

 

[StratUp]

Swap saddles with another string if you haven't tried that. A tiny smidge of loctite on the saddle screws and grub screws can stop them from vibrating. By tiny, I mean a little on a tooth pick that you rub on the threads. Like almost too little to see. Then move the screw back and forth to spread it throughout the adjustment area. It's just to tighten them up a little, not lock anything down. I'd do all the saddle and grub screws.

 

[Savmejeebus]

A stripper I used to hook up with had that problem too.

 

[tewiq]

Check the nuts that tighten the tuners to the headstock, if there's a loose one it can rattle and sound like a swarm of bees on a rampage .

 

[Caffiend]

I have to say, my 2019 Player is a stunner. I replaced the guard and electronics - not because the originals were bad but because I wanted HxS, super switch and single volume. I replaced the block with cold rolled steel and the arm with a gilmour-short in stainless. I replaced the saddle height screws because the action was so low they caught my hand. To be completely honest all the above except possibly the saddle screws are taste things not 'omg bad guitar ' things. It certainly has no inclination to rattle.

 

[emann]

I had a similar problem with my 2019 Player. A rattling sitar sound from one of the strings. I did the same thing, locking tuners, roller string tree, greased the nut...nothing worked until I got a tip from a luthier that it was more than likely a flat spot on the original Fender stamped bent steel bridge saddle and that made sense since the old electric sitar used in older recordings was actually a Tele with long bridge saddles. I put block saddles in and it stopped it dead without any tone loss.

Hi - what are block saddles please as I would like to try these as well.

 

[Hal Nico]

Hi - what are block saddles please as I would like to try these as well.

They are this kind that I have on all my Stratocasters,

Stratocaster Bridge Saddles 52.5mm spacing

 

[emann]

They are this kind that I have on all my Stratocasters,

Stratocaster/Telecaster Bridge Saddles

thanks a lot to reply!