Will a new fretboard help correct a dead spot?

Eminentbass · #1 10-23-2006, 12:35 PM

I have a MIM deluxe Jazz V which is my favourite bass out of all the Jazz basses I've owned(including a '77). My only gripe is the dead spot on the 1st string 7th fret. I've noticed the degree of it's dullness differs with string brands I've tried but never comes right completely. Would replacing the pao ferro fretboard with maple make a difference? I've met a luthier who will do it for a fair price and I might do it just for the look of it.

Trevorus · #2 10-23-2006, 12:44 PM

I wouldn't bother with changing it. Fenders sometimes have a way with those dead spots. It's in a lot of them. My American Jazz doesn't have them, though, and it may be due to the graphite reenforcement rods.

Eminentbass · #3 10-23-2006, 01:02 PM

It's a great bass in other regards... I added a badass II, bartolini preamp and bartolini pickups, and it tracks beautifully. I love the appearance of maple, especially with pearl block inlays and binding. I suppose I have a serious modding bug and will always find something to complain about

Relic · #4 10-23-2006, 01:42 PM

It would probably do the trick. I had a Squire J a while back that had two really annoying dead spots, a new rosewood/maple neck from Warmoth took care of that nicely.

emils · #5 10-23-2006, 05:45 PM

If you're already changing the board for the looks you might as well get the luthier to install some graphite rods in there.

westland · #6 10-23-2006, 06:40 PM

The deadspot at 7 is inherent in the Fender design ... it doesn't have to do with the construction of the neck, rather its overall length and weight. To change either of those creates problems, but does move the dead spot. The easiest way is to buy a weight to attach to the neck ... this will move the spot out of playing range.

Jim Carr · #7 10-23-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westland

The deadspot at 7 is inherent in the Fender design ... it doesn't have to do with the construction of the neck, rather its overall length and weight. To change either of those creates problems, but does move the dead spot. The easiest way is to buy a weight to attach to the neck ... this will move the spot out of playing range.

+1
Also, on some necks the dead spot is not very noticible. You might get
lucky with a replacement neck, like a warmoth or a nice RI CIJ (I did).

Just replacing the Fingerboard will probably NOT fix it, IMHO. Maybe if
you go with a very dense wood, like ebony or Brazilian Rosewood it
might move it some, but it seems to me that is the wrong place to
spend money. Why not find another instrument that has less of a
problem?

Keep the bass you have, of course, but look around. The problem is very common, and is present to greater and lesser degrees in most Fender Basses. The necks with graphic reinforcement bars do seem to suffer much less from this, in my experience.

Eminentbass · #8 10-24-2006, 06:04 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I spoke to the luthier and he says he can install graphite or steel rods for me, so i'll see if that helps. If not, I'll try a weight.

pickles · #9 11-01-2006, 07:43 AM

For what that would cost you can buy a bass without a dead spot.

**Chef** · #10 11-01-2006, 08:42 AM

There are several luthiers here (hambone, rodent) who have had great success killing dead spots by replacing the neck to body wood screws with nutserts.
PM them, or search...