Dead note at 14th fret, fret too low..

JDeewond · #1 07-24-2011, 04:54 PM

This is confusing, I've had my bass in its case for the past 3 weeks and the case has been lying face up on a shelf with nothing on it.

I was just about to sell it and I played it for a couple of minutes and found out about this!

Basically, I can't fret the 14th fret on the a string, I get a loud rattle, if I fret very hard, I get to the note but it's rattling to a point of being completely unplayable. All the other notes on the 14th ring clear, even if I dig in a bit. How could this have happened? The neck is straight, the action is low but no buzz all around.

Could this be fixed by replacing the 14th fret only? I'll be bringing it to the shop for sure, this sounds like something I can't do much about.

Has this ever happened to you?

EDIT: It is a 1991 EBMM Stringray 5

JLS · #2 07-24-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDeewond

This is confusing, I've had my bass in its case for the past 3 weeks and the case has been lying face up on a shelf with nothing on it.

I was just about to sell it and I played it for a couple of minutes and found out about this!

Basically, I can't fret the 14th fret on the a string, I get a loud rattle, if I fret very hard, I get to the note but it's rattling to a point of being completely unplayable. All the other notes on the 14th ring clear, even if I dig in a bit. How could this have happened? The neck is straight, the action is low but no buzz all around.

Could this be fixed by replacing the 14th fret only? I'll be bringing it to the shop for sure, this sounds like something I can't do much about.

Has this ever happened to you?

EDIT: It is a 1991 EBMM Stringray 5

Possibly a just-noticed, or finally troublesome, ski jump.

mongo2 · #3 07-24-2011, 08:58 PM

I had the same problem on 2 Mustang RI bass necks, the 15th fret on each had either "popped" on the bass side or they were seated improperly at the factory. Whichever it was, they needed to be re-seated. Check to see of any of the upper frets are too high.

grendle · #4 07-25-2011, 05:53 PM

Tap the 15 fret down very lightly! under the A string and your done