"Dead Spot" question...

[Stranger Danger]

Long story short: at that time I only had 1 bass that needed a Fat Finger, a 4 string jazz w/ a horrible deadspot at the C (5th fret G string). It was so bad that the note's fundamental didn't even ring out, just some muted-sounding harmonics... really strange and so much worse than the 1 other bass I'd had w/ this problem. The BASS Fat Finger fixed the deadspot, and at my amp, I was able to EQ back in the sound I wanted from the bass.

That sounds like my C#. I think I will tell them to put back the neck with the dead spot and try one of those fat fingers.

I have a friend right now that says that's what I get for buying a Squier. I kinda think thats BS though.

Whatever I paid it should work properly or am I deluding mice elf?

 

[stflbn]

Easy to do a fretjob on the neck with fret buzz. If it has no dead-spots the fret leveling is an easy fix.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Please, those are not dead spots, those are dead notes.
The G string usually has the lowest dead note.
OK, here's how you check: Try the same note on other strings, usually the same note in a lower octave will have sustain, but the same note in a matching octave will be dead also. In a higher octave, maybe not.
Try tuning that string with the dead note 2 steps lower, check for the dead note, you'll find it moved up the neck 2 steps!
It's not fixable, it's the whole mass of the bass body harmonizing on that note. A completely different bass by a different maker will have also have a dead note, but a different note.
Think about it.
Bill

 

[bass12]

Please, those are not dead spots, those are dead notes.
The G string usually has the lowest dead note.
OK, here's how you check: Try the same note on other strings, usually the same note in a lower octave will have sustain, but the same note in a matching octave will be dead also. In a higher octave, maybe not.
Try tuning that string with the dead note 2 steps lower, check for the dead note, you'll find it moved up the neck 2 steps!
It's not fixable, it's the whole mass of the bass body harmonizing on that note. A completely different bass by a different maker will have also have a dead note, but a different note.
Think about it.
Bill

Yeah, I'm a musician and I've never heard anyone refer to "dead notes". Funny, every luthier (including guys like Roger Sadowsky and Rob Green) that I've ever spoken to about this particular issue has used the term "dead spot". But hey, thanks for the lesson anyway...

 

[MtManiac]

Please, those are not dead spots, those are dead notes.
The G string usually has the lowest dead note.
OK, here's how you check: Try the same note on other strings, usually the same note in a lower octave will have sustain, but the same note in a matching octave will be dead also. In a higher octave, maybe not.
Try tuning that string with the dead note 2 steps lower, check for the dead note, you'll find it moved up the neck 2 steps!
It's not fixable, it's the whole mass of the bass body harmonizing on that note. A completely different bass by a different maker will have also have a dead note, but a different note.
Think about it.
Bill

Nope - same note, fatter string, lots of sustain.

 

[mongo2]

Nope - same note, fatter string, lots of sustain.

Hence the use of the more precise descriptive term of "dead spot". The same note on a lower string usually sounds fine.

 

[MtManiac]

Hence the use of the more precise descriptive term of "dead spot". The same note on a lower string usually sounds fine.

Exactly my point.

 

[JasonLamb]

They are on every wooden neck somewhere...anyone who has "none" does not know what to look for. I cannot speak for graphite though.

 

[cnltb]

My one-piece maple necked bass with rosewood board is fine.
No problems as to deadspots.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I have a few wooden necked basses that don't have any obvious dead or wolf notes(or spots...whatever). Don't bother thinking I am not aware of what I'm looking for. I also have some that have profound problems. For $38 I'm sure as hell going to try the Fatfinger solution. If it doesn't work on one, it might work on another. It's worth a try anyway & if it works on any of them it's a bargain.

 

[JEDI BASS]

That sounds like my C#. I think I will tell them to put back the neck with the dead spot and try one of those fat fingers.

I have a friend right now that says that's what I get for buying a Squier. I kinda think thats BS though.

Whatever I paid it should work properly or am I deluding mice elf?

HA!! My deadspot bass was a US Fender jazz!! My Squier jazz had NO deadspots. It's just a chance thing that occurs w/ wood, can happen on any 4 string w/ a lighter weight neck IMO.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Please, those are not dead spots, those are dead notes.

No musicians here, just cavemen trying to make noises to attract a mate .


Lighten up.

 

[Limeman]

Thickness of the headstock also has an impact on dead-notes.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Thickness of the headstock also has an impact on dead-notes.

Yep, thicker wood means added mass... like adding a Fat Finger or heavier tuners.

 

[lethargytartare]

Invalid Link Removed

This might help answer some questions.

Gotta love scientific analysis!

Incidentally -- I've never noticed dead spots on any instruments I've owned...after reading that article, I'd accept that they're there, but I just don't notice them.

 

[nato101010]

How many of you are using flats?

Nothing will reveal dead spots liike flatwound strings. They don't make them, but they certainly bring them out in the open!

I don't think I've ever played a bass (certainly not a conventional one) without dead spots. If you think yours doesn't have them, I'll assume:

You don't know what a dead spot is, or what one feels or sounds like, or..

You've hidden or minimized it with really twangy roundwounds, technique, or compensatory adjustments elsewhere in the signal path.

I have a bass without dead spots, and really dead roundwounds, no odd EQing, and use no pedals.