Fixing dead spot by Epoxy?

[badgrandad]

I've bought a new fretless bass that has a dead spot on the fingerboard at the "c" position on the "g" string, which seems to be the only place. I currently have flats on it and am satisfied with the sound (other then the dead-spot).

Will epoxying the board take out the dead spot?

Will changing strings do it?

Is there anything that will fix it?

It is a jazz style bass with two jazz pickups.

[Hambone]

Originally Posted by badgrandad

I've bought a new fretless bass that has a dead spot on the fingerboard at the "c" position on the "g" string, which seems to be the only place. I currently have flats on it and am satisfied with the sound (other then the dead-spot).

Will epoxying the board take out the dead spot?

Will changing strings do it?

Is there anything that will fix it?

It is a jazz style bass with two jazz pickups.

Dead spots are caused by the fretted note matching the resonant frequency of the neck effectively canceling out the note. In Fender style instruments, the necks are particularly prone to this condition. The only way to alter this is to change the resonant frequency of the neck. How? Usually this involves the addition of mass to the neck. That's the idea behind the brass "fathead" plates that attach to the back of the headstock. However, simply adding mass won't totally eliminate the deadspot. It's more likely to move the dead note further up the neck - into a region where it doesn't matter much for your style of play. I have had some limited success by using machined steel inserts and machine bolts to attach my necks. The idea is to raise the mass of the neck by so firmly attaching it to the body that the two act more like one piece of wood than two pieces with a joint in between. Another approach is to use steel reinforcement rods when building the neck. Warmoth does this and it successfully eliminates deadspots. I've had several Warmoth necks and have yet to experience a dead spot on any of them.

[The Dave]

That is a very common problem in 34" scale Fenders. My Jazz has a dead spot at the 7th fret on the D and G. I recently picked up a Fat Finger http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...cer?sku=420271 and it's alright. Before I got that, I was using a Kyser Quick Change Guitar Capo http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ing?sku=361600 and it worked every bit as well. It's also cheaper and easier going on and off. Give that a shot if you have one lying around. Just clamp it on your headstock and play the note. Then, move the capo around the headstock and find the most effective spot. The epoxy is a pretty drastic step and probably wouldn't help much if any.

[badgrandad]

Thanks for the reply(s)! I also did a search of the luthier forum (AFTER I posted my question- of course!) and was able to find sevral discussions regarding dead spots.

I don't want to change strings right now (which was one of the suggestions since it apparently changes the tension on the neck if a substantially different type) but I did try tightening the truss rod a bit and it helped noticably, but didn't eliminate it. (It moved the dead spot a tiny bit sharper so it is not right on the "c" or even "c#") so for now I am leaving well enough alone.

I am hesitant to add mass to the headstock because it would change the balance of the bass to be even more head heavy (which right now it is only slightly so).

For anyone interested in more on the subject do what I did and search "dead spot" in the luthier's forum, it's very informative. I assumed it had something to do with that particular spot on the neck, but it seems to be related to the neck in general and a resonant frequency(ies) cancellation issue.

[pkr2]

"but it seems to be related to the neck in general and a resonant frequency(ies) cancellation issue."

Isn't that pretty much exactly what Hambone told you?

[The Dave]

Originally Posted by badgrandad

I am hesitant to add mass to the headstock because it would change the balance of the bass to be even more head heavy (which right now it is only slightly so).

Did you try the capo? It weighs next to nothing and really is effective. It does kinda look silly...

[badgrandad]

Originally Posted by pkr2

"but it seems to be related to the neck in general and a resonant frequency(ies) cancellation issue."

Isn't that pretty much exactly what Hambone told you?

Sorry, I am deaf in my left ear and Hambone was standing to that side!

The Dave.. I am going to try the capo, I have one for an acoustic g***** and want to clip it on the headstock next practice (does it matter where?) If anything it will freak out my bandmembers wondering how and when I plan on capoing my fretless!