Help with Fender J neck Dead spots

[Wild Bill]

Ok so Ive had this MIM Fender Jazz for about 2 1/2 years now and its never had a problem, the tone is great and its a well crafted bass. Although a few weeks ago while practicing with my band I noticed I couldnt go from the 11th fret on the A string to the 18th fret without this weird grinding noise that sounded like my action was too low. So I set the action higher and still nothing. Ive never had this problem with it before. I was wondering if someone had any ideas to fix it. I havent had a tune up in about a year so I dunno if thats it. just please me!
Thanks
-Billy

[Stu L.]

I have a similar problem with a MIM P-Bass. The A string in particular has issues, and almost no amout of action changes have helped. I finally put 2 shims in the neck, and have finally gotten the A string low enougth to play, and the others are fairly playable. It's not totally fixed my problem, but I'd reccomend a possible shim.

[Wild Bill]

Ive been playing bass for 7 years but, whats a "shim"?

[Figjam]

I belive its where you elevate the neck slightly by putting paper or something thin in the neck pocket?

[John Deppel]

You can also "shim" the bass by putting something under the string at the saddle, between the string and saddle...

[Stu L.]

Originally Posted by Figjam

I belive its where you elevate the neck slightly by putting paper or something thin in the neck pocket?

I used a business card, but that's the idea

[The Mock Turtle Regulator]

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Ok so Ive had this MIM Fender Jazz for I couldnt go from the 11th fret on the A string to the 18th fret without this weird grinding noise that sounded like my action was too low. So I set the action higher and still nothing. Ive never had this problem with it before.

sounds like a high fret around the 17th/18th fret.
check for a lifting fret.

[Wild Bill]

Thanks for your help. I think Im gonna bring it to my friends house, his dad is a bass player so he might know whats up.