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Dead frets or dead zones?

BassStarvedSoul

BassStarvedSoul

Oct 15, 2021
22
12
Europe
#1
Hello,

I am currently learning how to fret and I encountered a problem - some of the places on neck sound okay, but most (aside from 9th fret zone) are DEAD. Deader than dead, despite new strings on. The strings are Rotosound RS66LD.

There is practically no clean, ringing sound - only something like tck, tck. Experimented with treble cutoff, but the sound is still deader than fish on the sun-baked shore. As I am a beginner, I've yet to know what exactly is wrong with this, considering that plucking sounds OK, but fretwork is where is a complete and utter fail, not for the lack of trying from my side. And it's driving me spare! The bass is regularly tuned before each session, so what else can I do to get the good sound here?

Thanks for your answers in advance,

BBS
 
#8
@James Collins: Have no idea, since I am a beginner, but they seem so - pics enclosed. The bass was previously in studio use. Pics enclosed.

@Blue Talon: 9th and 10th fret down have resonance, a nice sound with sustain. Others... not so much, no resonance, no sound. I am relying on touch more, considering I am deaf of hearing here, but this absence of sound is completely unnerving.

@jd56hawk: I don't have any blue clue about that, considering this is my first bass. So if the strings are at fault, I will shortly switch them out for new ones, if we determine the strings are the true culprit.

Could it be how the bass is stashed? I am having it in the bass bag in my room - maybe too little moisture in the air? I got it last week, it's in daily use, one hour minimum.
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#10
Honestly I think your neck is too straight if not even a little back bowed....When you hold down the first Fret and very last fret at the same time and touch the string at the 8th fret, is there any gap there? Basically you’re using the string as a straight edge to measure the bow in your neck
 
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#11
BassStarvedSoul said:
Hello,

I am currently learning how to fret and I encountered a problem - some of the places on neck sound okay, but most (aside from 9th fret zone) are DEAD. Deader than dead, despite new strings on. The strings are Rotosound RS66LD.

There is practically no clean, ringing sound - only something like tck, tck. Experimented with treble cutoff, but the sound is still deader than fish on the sun-baked shore. As I am a beginner, I've yet to know what exactly is wrong with this, considering that plucking sounds OK, but fretwork is where is a complete and utter fail, not for the lack of trying from my side. And it's driving me spare! The bass is regularly tuned before each session, so what else can I do to get the good sound here?

Thanks for your answers in advance,

BBS
Click to expand...

Are the dead spots there when the bass is not plugged into an amp?
 
#14
I'm having difficulty differentiating whether your neck is bowed slightly back or forward, but that's definitely sounding like it's in the way. Your strings might also be too low. At those heights, even the cleanest pro is going to go click clack. I kind of like the click clack personally, but it seems like you don't.
 
#15
Sounds like you need more relief, meaning more space between the fretboard and the strings.

As an experiment, raise one of the saddles about an eighth of an inch and see whether that string sounds better.

If so, you need a basic setup by someone who knows what they are doing. Or even better, watch some instructional videos and learn to do it yourself.
 
#16
Your “action” or the string height above the fretboard is too low. There should be adjustments at the bridge to raise the strings a little and try again. There’s no room for the string to vibrate once plucked that’s why they sound dead - because they’re being muted by the fretboard. Your relief (amount of forward or back bow of the neck) may also need an adjustment but try raising the strings first. The fact that the 9th fret area rings true sounds to me like there’s some relief (front bow) in the neck which is good.
 
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#17
If you take it to someone who knows how to d a proper setup, things will get figured out - if it's just a setup issue, it'll be easy to take care of. If it needs more, they'll let you know.
 
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