Single note out of tune!

[mrokern]

Just got a Douglas from Rondo to try a 5-string and to act as a backup.

Everything is great, except for the 5th-fret G on my D string. It is at least a quarter-tone sharp. Everything else on the instrument is great, yes, I know how to set intonation (and have done so).

The only thing I haven't done yet is replace the factory strings, which are terrible (I don't want to break open a new pack if it won't solve the issue...then I'm stuck with strings I don't need if I have to send the bass back).

Could strings be the cause, or should I be looking elsewhere?

Thanks,

-Mark

[mrokern]

Got it!

New strings took care of the problem. Weird, but at least everything is in tune now!

Thanks,

-Mark

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by mrokern

Just got a Douglas from Rondo to try a 5-string and to act as a backup.

Everything is great, except for the 5th-fret G on my D string. It is at least a quarter-tone sharp. Everything else on the instrument is great, yes, I know how to set intonation (and have done so).

The only thing I haven't done yet is replace the factory strings, which are terrible (I don't want to break open a new pack if it won't solve the issue...then I'm stuck with strings I don't need if I have to send the bass back).

Could strings be the cause, or should I be looking elsewhere?

Thanks,

-Mark

Needs a shim.

I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist!

Mark, my buddy, I'm glad the new strings took care of the problem. Enjoy the new Douglas 5 banger!

Riis

[Baleen]

I've had defective strings whose intonation varied from flat to sharp over as little as 3 frets. I think it's a problem with the core.

[Alan U]

Hello; now that mrokern's problem has been resolved, I hope no-one feels I'm hijacking this thread.

I have a bass that plays beautifully. Having got the action the way I like it and the intonation spot-on throughout the neck there is one dead spot.
It is on the G string at the 6th fret, C sharp. That note is in tune, but decays noticeably quicker.
I've replaced the strings with exactly the same result.
Why does this happen?

Thanks

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Alan U

Hello; now that mrokern's problem has been resolved, I hope no-one feels I'm hijacking this thread.

I have a bass that plays beautifully. Having got the action the way I like it and the intonation spot-on throughout the neck there is one dead spot.
It is on the G string at the 6th fret, C sharp. That note is in tune, but decays noticeably quicker.
I've replaced the strings with exactly the same result.
Why does this happen?

Thanks

Certainly worthy of a response. May I recommend you do a search with the buzz words "dead spot"? IIRC, a few Fender (and like!) necks have inherent dead spots in the area you mention. The fact that this complaint is consistent irrespective of string sets would lead me to believe the problem lies with the bass itself.

Riis

[nastyn8c]

Originally Posted by Alan U

Hello; now that mrokern's problem has been resolved, I hope no-one feels I'm hijacking this thread.

I have a bass that plays beautifully. Having got the action the way I like it and the intonation spot-on throughout the neck there is one dead spot.
It is on the G string at the 6th fret, C sharp. That note is in tune, but decays noticeably quicker.
I've replaced the strings with exactly the same result.
Why does this happen?

Thanks

From what I hear, that seems like a common dead spot.

[Alan U]

Thanks for the replies.
As I thought, I'll just have to live with it.