Dead A flat

[danthebassman07]

I just changed strings on my 39 Kay and have developed a dead spot around the A flat and somewhat on the A. The dead- spots were not there before I changed the strings.

I know I have read about this same problem somewhere on here before but I can't find it.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Danny S.

[Eddue]

Originally Posted by danthebassman07

I just changed strings on my 39 Kay and have developed a dead spot around the A flat and somewhat on the A. The dead- spots were not there before I changed the strings.

I know I have read about this same problem somewhere on here before but I can't find it.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Danny S.

I am assuming you are talking about your E string. First, look at your bridge very closely to see if it is in the right spot. Maybe it mover while changing strings. Then compare the gauges of your old and new strings. If you installed a lighter gauge set it may play lower than your old set and/or reveal a low spot in your fingerboard you may not have noticed before. If this is the case you have a few options. the simplest way is to raise the bridge if it is adjustable or replace it with a taller bridge. Or you may need to visit your local luthier to see if you fingerboard needs a little work or if your bass needs any other tweaking.

The bridge may be the likely problem, sometimes if you move it slightly toward the E string side it may solve your problem.

Hope this helps.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by danthebassman07

I just changed strings on my 39 Kay and have developed a dead spot around the A flat and somewhat on the A. The dead- spots were not there before I changed the strings.

I know I have read about this same problem somewhere on here before but I can't find it.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Danny S.

Im not sure why it would come out from changing strings, but that sounds kind of like a wolftone. The Ab is not an uncommon place to have that happen.

[danthebassman07]

Thanks for the comments you 2. I should have said which string it was. It is the A flat or G sharp on the G string, and somewhat into the A n the same string.

Any more ideas?

Danny

[danthebassman07]

I did go down in guage in strings but I have never had this problem before.

I switched from Innovation Honeys to Thomastic Super Flexibles. There is some noticable difference in the guage , but not alot.

[Eddue]

Originally Posted by danthebassman07

Thanks for the comments you 2. I should have said which string it was. It is the A flat or G sharp on the G string, and somewhat into the A n the same string.

Any more ideas?

Danny

Try moving your bridge slightly toward the G string side of the bass. And maybe the string slot in the nut is too big now since hte strings are smaller?

[danthebassman07]

Originally Posted by Eddue

Try moving your bridge slightly toward the G string side of the bass. And maybe the string slot in the nut is too big now since hte strings are smaller?

Thanks Eddue, I was thinking the same thing on the nut. How would one shim it out? I just talked to a Luthier in N. Carolina an he said I could use a slip of paper and then double as needed until it is gone.

Again Thanks

Danny S.

[Eddue]

Another way is to fill the slot with a mixture of epoxy and ebony sawdust. Then just refile the string slot. I don't like to shim the nut if I can find an easier or better way to fix it. Chances are you will affect the height of the other strings as well and would have to re-cut all the slots to the right height.

Also, if the nut slot is too big for the string raising the nut may solve the height problem but the slot should be correctly sized for string for best sound and playabilty.

[danthebassman07]

Originally Posted by Eddue

Another way is to fill the slot with a mixture of epoxy and ebony sawdust. Then just refile the string slot. I don't like to shim the nut if I can find an easier or better way to fix it. Chances are you will affect the height of the other strings as well and would have to re-cut all the slots to the right height.

Also, if the nut slot is too big for the string raising the nut may solve the height problem but the slot should be correctly sized for string for best sound and playabilty.

Thanks Eddue I talked to james condino earlier on the phone and he gave me a few things to try and nothing seems to help me find the problem.

The bass has got progressively worse in the last 2 hours of playing and trying things. Now it sounds aweful in several different areas, even on the open A string and the C on the A string.

I give up.

I have never seen a bass go down hill so fast unless it was dropped from an airplane.

Danny S.

[Eddue]

Try replacing the bad new strings with the good old strings, one at a time. Maybe you can determine if it is the strings or the bass. Take a good look at the nut, bridge, tailpiece, endpin and soundpost. These will be the most likely suspects if there is no physical problems with the bass, after the strings. Make sure everything is lined up straight and seated correctly. It is probably something simple, It's only wood! Hopefully the solution will be simple as well.

[Dave Hosking]

Danny,

Your luthier may, in addition to performing other procedures, investigate the soundpost's position.
My luthier, after replacing my '43 Kay's slightly bent hardwood soundpost with a spruce one, fit it so that the bass now resonates freely.
Keep us posted with your progress!

[arnoldschnitzer]

Originally Posted by danthebassman07

Thanks Eddue I talked to james condino earlier on the phone and he gave me a few things to try and nothing seems to help me find the problem.

The bass has got progressively worse in the last 2 hours of playing and trying things. Now it sounds aweful in several different areas, even on the open A string and the C on the A string.

I give up.

I have never seen a bass go down hill so fast unless it was dropped from an airplane.

Danny S.

This post leads me to believe you may have something major going on, such as a loose bass bar or neck joint, or possibly a major de-lamination somewhere. Your bass needs to go to the doctor.

[Square Bear]

are you absolutely sure the bridge didn't move while changing the strings? it just seems like the most likely explanation. if the g side bridge foot moved even a couple millimeters closer or further from the sp, it can have a pretty drastic effect. also, if the bridge moved horizontally at all, it can totally jack up your set-up. look down the neck from the scroll to see if the bridge is properly centered in relation to the fingerboard.