My bass feels dead all of a sudden

sigmafloyd · #1 02-20-2013, 09:04 PM

In the last week or so my P bass just seems to lack the luster it once had. I thought it was dead strings, so I got a fresh pack but it hasn't changed anything. It's hard to describe exactly, but it just feels less resonate and alive than it usually does. I checked the setup and it seems pretty spot on. Any ideas?

Duckwater · #2 02-20-2013, 09:15 PM

Play a different bass for a few days, and come back to it.

qervo · #3 02-20-2013, 09:19 PM

Has the neck moved? Once I stopped playing my bass for a while and when I came back to it, the neck had slightly bowed. Don't know if that really affected the sound but I do know it just didn't feel right until I adjusted it and reset everything .

FourtyOneHz · #4 02-20-2013, 09:33 PM

Are you really sure it's a problem with your P, or do you just feel GAS coming on?

two fingers · #5 02-20-2013, 09:38 PM

Are yo playing through the same amp? Could be an amp thing.

redhed · #6 02-20-2013, 09:41 PM

Well it ain't a Stingray

PipeRain · #7 02-20-2013, 09:42 PM

Time for a new bass.

1stnamebassist · #8 02-20-2013, 09:43 PM

Maybe tightening the truss rod about a 1/4 turn. Had dead sounding lifeless strings one time on one of my basses even though they were fairly new and someone suggested that. Worked for me! If it doesn't help turn it back the other way.

pacojas · #9 02-20-2013, 09:46 PM

seven year itch?

**Versatek6** · #10 02-20-2013, 09:54 PM

Could be a factor of the weather, too. Changes could cause the wood to expand our contract, changing how it resonates. Maybe a bit of glue under the fretboard let go.

It sounds odd, but try adding a few ounces of weight securely to the headstock to see what happens. The neck has less mass, so a change there would be more noticeable than one to the body.

There was a post a while back about successfully alleviating dead spots in the neck by embedding tungsten slugs in holes drilled under the tuners.

M.R. Ogle · #11 02-20-2013, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stnamebassist

Maybe tightening the truss rod about a 1/4 turn. Had dead sounding lifeless strings one time on one of my basses even though they were fairly new and someone suggested that. Worked for me! If it doesn't help turn it back the other way.

Believe it or not, yes, this does sometimes work.

rodda55 · #12 02-20-2013, 11:23 PM

Same thing happened to me with my '62 reissue. I went overseas for a month and when I returned it never sounded the right. The bass is only 12 months old. I changed strings but still not happy

Templar · #13 02-20-2013, 11:35 PM

My theory is the way humans hear different frequencies can change from day to day. I know my hearing does that occasionally.

IronLung1986 · #14 02-21-2013, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templar

My theory is the way humans hear different frequencies can change from day to day. I know my hearing does that occasionally.

i don't know if this is what the OP is experiencing but i agree with it. sometimes i just have "bad bass days" where none of my instruments sound good to me. it used to be really nerve wracking because i'd fuss endlessly over EQ minutia and other crap and none of it would help. now if i notice it i just take a day off. things usually go back to normal by the time i play again.

Munjibunga · #15 02-21-2013, 01:02 AM

It's not new any more.

**mjac28** · #16 02-21-2013, 01:07 AM

Is it getting exercise? what are you feeding it? but seriously I would look at getting a Fat Finger they work great I have two because one of my Jazzes has the same condition but I think she just needs some new pups.

Pimmsley · #17 02-21-2013, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjac28

Is it getting exercise? what are you feeding it? but seriously I would look at getting a Fat Finger they work great I have two because one of my Jazzes has the same condition but I think she just needs some new pups.

wow... I actually had to look up what a 'fat finger' was, lol...

Jaco Taco · #18 02-21-2013, 03:48 AM

If the bass starts to smell after a few days, that's a sure sign of decay and that it is, in fact, dead. If it doesn't start to smell I wouldn't worry about it.

GeoffByrne · #19 02-21-2013, 04:00 AM

Check the neck's tight against the body by making sure the bolts are as tight as possible.

G.

sigmafloyd · #20 02-21-2013, 06:17 AM

Lol, thanks for the various responses, humorous or not.

Im inclined to think that the hearing frequencies differently from day to day might be right.

I've been going back to rounds after about a year with flats and I think my ears might be just growing more accustomed to liking/wanting brighter strings again.

As for the feel, I might give the truss rod crank a try.