Weird rattle...

ChuckManual

My Strat has developed a weird rattle. All the hardware is absolutely rock solid. The only thing I think it can be is the truss rod. Do they ever come loose? It’s never happened to me with any guitar before - plus, I’ve never heard of it happening to anyone-else.

Is it actually a thing?!

(All other suggestions as to what it might be will be greatly received too - Cheers!)

richardhomer

I’ve had this on a couple of guitars in the past - a slight nip on the truss rod will often cure it.

Philly_Q

Yes, I've had a rattling truss rod.  Can't remember what guitar it was - possibly an American Standard Strat.

King85

Are all the grub screws for string height touching the bottom? I had a buzz that was driving me mad and turned out to the this

Sassafras

I had a 70s Strat with a bullet truss rod that used to rattle. I spent more time tightening it up than playing the damn thing.

ICBM

Is it one with a neck tilt adjuster? Check that's tight too.

Elwood

Definitely check it's not the springs? If one is very slightly less tension and the hook at an odd angle, they can rattle.

ChuckManual

Sorry - should have said; it’s a hardtail. There’s no springs to rattle!

NickL

I've had that on my '90s USA Strat, with the bidirectional truss rod when it was in the slack bit in the middle of the adjustment range.

viz

Do you have one of those plectrum holders stuck on the back of the headstock?

thermionic

You don't play in a Happy Mondays tribute act by any chance?

https://news.images.itv.com/image/file/1148659/stream_img.jpg

Philly_Q

On the rattly-truss-rod guitar I had, if I tapped quite hard on the back of the neck the rod made a sort of clanging sound.  That helped narrow it down.

ChuckManual

thermionic said:

You don't play in a Happy Mondays tribute act by any chance?

Ah! Problem solved!