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Dead spot on Fender MIA.

J

julo

Jan 18, 2005
370
3
Boulder, CO
#1
Hi,

Went to my local store to buy strings and couldn't help but try basses (Fenders).
I only have MIM Fenders and a VM Squier. I tried 2 MIA and I was really surprised to hear the same dead spot on the G string around the D as my MIM.

I know Fenders are famous for that design flaw but on MIAs? seriously?
Why would you buy an MIA if you don't get a "perfect" instrument.
I was always bummed by the dead spot on all my MIMs and thought that one day, I'd have to pay for a MIA but I feel better now.

Do your MIA have the deadspot?
I'm curious.

Thanks.
J
 
#7
I also don't have problems with my MIA's but (just for the record)
80 out of 100 mia fenders should have dead spots, more or less...actually it's almost impossible to find a "perfect" (wooden) bass without any dead spot anywhere at all...
 
#8
Flaked Beans said:
I also don't have problems with my MIA's but (just for the record)
80 out of 100 mia fenders should have dead spots, more or less...actually it's almost impossible to find a "perfect" (wooden) bass without any dead spot anywhere at all...
Click to expand...

Well I would hope that anything above $2k would not have deadspots.
I bought an Epi Les Paul II bass and no dead spots I believe.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
#15
I have tried basses at *every* price point, with every construction type (yes, including graphite necks and neck troughs) that had dead spots. I've bought dozens of basses where the seller told me "no dead spots" and they had one. Some people really don't seem to notice or mind, but they drive me nuts. The only real solution is try before you buy.

I also have played a handful of Fender style basses that are extremely even across the whole range -- keepers!
 
#17
pickles said:
I have tried basses at *every* price point, with every construction type (yes, including graphite necks and neck troughs) that had dead spots. I've bought dozens of basses where the seller told me "no dead spots" and they had one. Some people really don't seem to notice or mind, but they drive me nuts. The only real solution is try before you buy.

I also have played a handful of Fender style basses that are extremely even across the whole range -- keepers!
Click to expand...


how would you describe a "dead spot"?
can you provide some mp3 examples or something?

I've noticed on some basses certain notes just don't resonate as much... and I wonder if that's what you're talking about here. If it is... then almost evry bass I've tried had them. From the ones I own, only the Warwick Corvette would be free from them. But I'm not sure if we're describing the same thing.
 
#19
People often describe a note that's fretting out as a dead spot. A true dead spot where the note has less sustain (6th fret g string on practically every Fender or Fender style instrument ever made) is a fact of life with bolt on neck basses. Most people never notice them. I believe that the majority of people screaming about dead spots are really talking about fret buzz/fretting out.
 
#20
And I quote Roger Sadowsky:

"While I do know of a pro or two that uses a Fatfinger, the truth of the matter is that I very rarely have encountered a "pro" that complains of deadspots. Most pros accept them as a fact of life and just live with them (or know to select basses that do not have a major dead spot problem to begin with). It is easy to obsess over deadspots at home but they rarely are a problem in normal playing for most players I know."

Available here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101351&highlight=dead+spots&page=3
 

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