Dead D string

[Steve S]

I have a 62 MIA Reissue Jazz which I bought used and was built in 2001. It is a very nice bass but the D string sounds dead. I had it set up with new strings but it didn't help. Every note on the string lacks sustain, especially at high volumes. Can someone tell me what is wrong with it?

[Tbirdbassist]

I think this belongs in the Set Up sections.



Why dont people look around first...

[KeithBMI]

I first though that it should be in strings, but then I thought it was more of a bass problem.

Is there something wrong with the nut or the bridge?

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by KeithBMI

Is there something wrong with the nut or the bridge?

Those are really the only 2 options...but if even the fretted notes are dead, it really means it can only be a bridge problem...

[Arthur U. Poon]

I had a bass that had the same problem on it's E-string. Check the nut to make sure it isn't cracked.

Could be a bridge saddle that's not making full contact with the bridge's baseplate, weird.

Do you have at least 2 windings around the string post?

That's about as far as I can guess.

Hope you can get it ironed out. Best wishes,
- Art

[Arthur U. Poon]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

Those are really the only 2 options...but if even the fretted notes are dead, it really means it can only be a bridge problem...

I was still thinking this through and posting when you posted this response. (Man do I feel stupid )

Steve S: Does the D string sound dead when you're playing the bass without an amp?

[Chunk-O-Funk]

I have read somewhere before about dead spots on guitars, something about the way a body of a guitar will resonate or vibrate causing a particular string to sound dead. One way to compensate for this is to add a weight to the headstock to see if adding mass to the instrument will shift the dead spot.

I read that a long time ago so I hope I'm not way off base.

If it's not the nut or bridge (I would check them first too) it's worth checking out.

You could experiment with a small wood clamp (C-clamp) if you have one. Just protect the wood with some small pieces of scrap wood and do not tighten it too much.

[BurningSkies]

Doesn't sound like a 'dead spot' to me... They tend to run just a fret or two on the neck. I've never heard of a full neck D string 'dead spot'.

Check that bridge out...and make sure that you're not twisting that string when you put it on.

[Steve S]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the replies. I had the bass set up and restrung at Bass NW because I thought it was just a bad D string. I had Chad put DR Low Riders on it but it didn't help. You cannot notice the dead notes unamplified or at low volume....only at high volume. The string is wound around the peg three times like the others. When the band is playing hard and fast, it's weird when every note, especially those on the first through fifth frets lacks sustain on the D string.

[sb69coupe]

How do you have the strings run at the bridge? Is it strung through the body, or out the back of the bridge? I had a dead E string on my fretless Jazz and it was due to a very sharp break angle as the string came up strung through the body and made a nearly 90 degree break over the saddle.

Since it's on every note on the string, the problem has to be something at the bridge. That is the only common factor.

[I-Love-Ratm]

I have the exact same problem!I wanna know the cause.Intonation?

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by sb69coupe

How do you have the strings run at the bridge? Is it strung through the body, or out the back of the bridge? I had a dead E string on my fretless Jazz and it was due to a very sharp break angle as the string came up strung through the body and made a nearly 90 degree break over the saddle.

Since it's on every note on the string, the problem has to be something at the bridge. That is the only common factor.

The string goes through the bridge.

[I-Love-Ratm]

anyone?

[sb69coupe]

The common element here is the saddle on the bridge. Perhaps get a replacement saddle for the bridge and give that a try. Although I'm not sure what you mean by the following comment:

"You cannot notice the dead notes unamplified or at low volume".

If there is a lack of sustain it should be apparent regardless of the volume of the amp.

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by sb69coupe

The common element here is the saddle on the bridge. Perhaps get a replacement saddle for the bridge and give that a try. Although I'm not sure what you mean by the following comment:

"You cannot notice the dead notes unamplified or at low volume".

If there is a lack of sustain it should be apparent regardless of the volume of the amp.

The D string sounds just like the other ones at low volume but when I turn the volume up, it doesn't vibrate like the others. Every note on that string sounds dead at high volume. It is a weird sound but I'll check the bridge and nut again.

[Eilif]

It could be a pickup problem.
I read a while back about a lakland that had single string volume issues, and it was the pickup that was damaged.

Test the d with each pickup soloed and see if it is imbalanced when only one of them is soloed

You could also try taking out the pickups and swiching the pickups so the poles that are under the D are under the A string if the A string comes out dead then you know the problem.

I know it sounds like a chore, but it's only 8 screws, and it might isolate the source of the problem

Good Luck

[HeavyDuty]

Originally Posted by Tbirdbassist

I think this belongs in the Set Up sections.

Why dont people look around first...

What are you, the post police? If you can't contribute constructively, don't post. If you see a thread in the wrong section, report it - don't make snide comments.

Sheesh. Moved.