Weird rattle/buzz from the pickups, almost like fretbuzz..

[Madiac]

Hey, i get some kind of rattling sound which sounds like it comes from my neck mississippi queen. I definately dont think its the strings vibrating against the poles because the pickup is pretty far down. Anyone got a clue what it could be? It seems to appear randomly and mostly on the low E but higher strings aswell.

[AndyR]

Might be the springs holding it in place? I get that on one of my Mules sometimes, I keep meaning to sort it out, but I keep forgetting to (as it doesn't seem to come out the speakers anyway...)

[Madiac]

Could be, how would i fix this then?

[Philly Q]

If it is that, you could try using surgical rubber tubing (like they do on Strats) instead of metal springs.

You could even try a bit of foam in the cavity under the pickup, to stop it vibrating.

[AndyR]

^ Yep, like he says :D

I just haven't got round to doing it - it only annoys me when my wife won't let me turn the volume up loud enuff!! :lol: (doesn't happen too often- lovely girl :D)

[BadMonkey]

I've got a MQ in the neck of my SG Standard & I had the same problem.  When I palm muted it used to really vibrate.  More so on some frets than others.  You could only hear it when the guitar wasn't plugged in though.

I fixed it by (as Phil suggested) lifting the scratch plate & putting some foam underneath.  I used the foam from the box the pup came in.  Fixed it no problem!

Now I only need to work out how to align the bridge pup with the strings & I'll be happy!

[Madiac]

I've got a MQ in the neck of my SG Standard & I had the same problem.  When I palm muted it used to really vibrate.  More so on some frets than others.  You could only hear it when the guitar wasn't plugged in though.

I fixed it by (as Phil suggested) lifting the scratch plate & putting some foam underneath.  I used the foam from the box the pup came in.  Fixed it no problem!

Now I only need to work out how to align the bridge pup with the strings & I'll be happy!

Is there even a way to get the bridge aligned? The string spacing gets wider towards the bridge no? so they would naturally be a bit off, or am i wrong? Does alignment really affect anything other than looks?

[BadMonkey]

Sorry dude.  I meant the horizontal allignment with the strings.
As the pup is mounted on the scratchplate it isn't parallel to the strings.  Probably doesn't effect the sound much, but it needles me a bit.

[Madiac]

Hm, i must be confused, arent you talking about the strings not being exactly over the pole pieces center? Sorry-