Sun, 09/18/2011 - 15:06
Hi, folks.
Picked up this beautiful guitar ten days ago in a shop called Manson's in Exeter. (Only too pleased to plug 'em, 'cause they're absolutely brilliant. However, today I've noticed a slight issue, in that there's a weird rattly noise coming from somewhere when I strike the open A string in standard tuning. (I'll strike the string, and it'll ring, then there'll be a maraca-like noise.) This noise is barely audible unless you're really listening, but I don't want to think that there's a problem with the guitar. Can anybody clarify what it might be and/or how to fix it?
Thanks,
Shady
Sun, 09/18/2011 - 15:56
#2
Check to see if the tuning heads are loose. That happened to me a while back...turned out all I needed to do was tighten a screw a little bit.
Sun, 09/18/2011 - 16:18
#3
It could also be the truss rod rattling, but definitely check the other things first as they are probably the more likely culprit.
Sun, 09/18/2011 - 16:48
#4
Could be anything, but the guitar shop is the first place to ask if it's not something obvious. Also, check the truss rod cover on the headstock. A screw loose there could cause it to rattle. A lot of shops will do a set up when you buy a guitar, and if it's not set up right, maybe they'll do it again.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 04:52
#5
Update - changed plectrums, and the noise disappeared. Don't understand that at all.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 07:29
#6
Plectrum!?
That's a new one on me, Shady. But I'm going to add it to my luthiery toolkit from now on! 
Thanks for the update. And you've picked up a nice guitar there too! 
Wed, 09/21/2011 - 08:25
#7
Sometimes the ball at the end of the string isn't seated firmly against the peg and the underside of the bridge. Another free fix if that's the case.
Glad it's not rattling anymore!
It could be a problem with the nut slot. Have you tried putting a little bit of pressure on the string just behind the nut as it's ringing? It might be that the string isn't sitting in the slot properly, especially if the guitar's been fitted with heavier strings.
First thing I'd try after that (if that doesn't work) is replacing the string (that's a cheap test). It's not common but I've had strings where the winding itself is causing a problem.
"Rattles" are some of the most infuriating things to trace, but I'd give those two a try.
Mansons are fantastic, so if there's a real problem, I'm sure they'd sort it for you anyway.
Oddly enough, a couple of friends of mine came with me to a guitar show near Leeds today - and all we did was compare it unfavourably with the Mansons annual event...