Brubaker choked/dead note issue

jazzcrime · #1 10-23-2009, 09:23 AM

Hey guys,
Just wondering what you would make of this problem?
I just bought a brand new Brubaker KBX custom 5. It's a beautiful bass however, my issue is to do with a note on the bass that just chokes out due to bottoming it out on the fret in front of it somehow. When I initally picked up the bass I thought maybe it had something to do with the neck, so I gave the truss rod a bit of adjusting and got the neck nice and straight and feeling good (plays great elsewhere on the bass), however this didn't fix the note still choking out. I can't really see anything different about the frets that make it obvious what's wrong. The note that I'm having the problem with is the 15th on the D (F). If I fret the note REALLY hard it kinda plays a little clearer, and if I bend the 15th fret of the G string over to where the D string would normally sit over it chokes out as well. If you follow this link you'll find me demonstrating the problem I'm having:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U4Moai-BfI

Any suggestions on what might be the problem would be appreciated! Going to take it to a luthier as well, but thought maybe somewhere on here might have some knowledge.

DWBass · #2 10-23-2009, 09:27 AM

That is odd. I've never had that happen. I did have a neck acclimate on me but that affected a whole range of frets on all strings. To have just that one note befuddles me. Maybe a luthier or someone more knowledgeable can offer some insight!

jazzcrime · #3 10-23-2009, 09:31 AM

this issue is totally isolated to the one fret. admittedly I do have low action but that hasn't given me problems or buzz on any other note on the whole bass!

OlafR · #4 10-23-2009, 09:46 AM

Sounds like the 16th string should be levelled. That's why you hear an f# i.s.o. an f.

Bought it new? I think it's a production error. Brubaker should fix the problem for free, I think.

Nice bass, by the way!

Blues Cat · #5 10-26-2009, 02:52 AM

yeah no big deal, just one high fret.