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Dead spots on G string - Why??

#21
I've heard that bolt-on necks are prone to dead spots in that general range, while neck-through are immune. I don't know if that's 100% accurate or not, but my bolt-on necks have all had some amount of tone reduction in the general 5th fret area of the G. I've never had one that was so bad that I couldn't "fix" it with a little EQ. I wouldn't be surprised if some neck/body/string combinations could get pretty bad, though.

I only own 1 neck-through bass, & it doesn't have any dead areas that I can detect. I've owned others in the past & don't remember any issues.
 
#23
Can dead spots get better or worse with temperature changes? I gave a MIM JB that from time to time has some dead spots on the usual places but I feel like they come and go, is this possible? Also, when that happens I just raise the pick up height on the treble side and that seems to helps a lot.
 
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#25
I've now checked a 1996 fender american jazz, 2012 fender MP jaguar, and 2013 fender american precision, and they all have some degree of reduced fullness/sustain in the C/C# area, mostly on the G string, but I think I can maybe hear it at the same note on the D string as well.

The bummer is, I was pretty happy before I noticed it, but now that I recognize it, it stands out like crazy for me!
 
#30
jeffkew said:
The bummer is, I was pretty happy before I noticed it, but now that I recognize it, it stands out like crazy for me!
Click to expand...

I know the feeling. The thing to keep in mind is that dead spots are very common and, while it's important to check a bass out if you can before buying, you can drive yourself nuts looking for basses that are dead spot free. I've found them on every brand of bass that I've tried - including Laklands. ;)
 
#31
If you want to see if a Fat Finger will help you, before buying one, you can do the same thing by putting any kind of clamp on your headstock. From my experience it can move the dead spot a little, and increase sustain across the board a little, but doesn't get rid of it completely.

Laminate and carbon necks have dead spots, but they're usually in a different place. Often they're much higher, due in part to the additional stiffness of the design.
 
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#34
Even adding the additional mass of a drop tuner can be enough to shift it but the shift isn't necessarily a good thing. I've never had any luck really improving or removing the offending dead note, only changing its location. With the change it became more prominent because I had actually learned to play around it or use it musically in the first place.

Blindfold yourself navigating around the house for a week or two. After the initial bumps and bruises you'll figure out your spacial awareness and not have to think about it as much. Kinda the same thing. If your ear doesn't like what it hears you'll eventually work around it.
 
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#37
KJung said:
Not a big issue on most basses. Different scale lengths, does bupkiss regarding dead spots.
Click to expand...

I have 13 medium scales with two more on the way. Perhaps I have just been lucky?

Have never been able to find any dead spots on medium scales. I use a 100 BPM 4 count and all the notes on all my basses ring at least that long.

Mr.KJung, can we please see a list of the quality medium scale basses you have played which had SERIOUS dead spots, - I for one, am very interested.


BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
 
#38
yeah, seems like there is always a note or two somewhere that is not as strong as the others. Whatever, just grab a different bass if you need that note so bad.
Gotta say the only bass I've had with no dead spots at all is my Pedulla MVP.
I've put a lot of miles on that thing, and it still sounds great all the way up and down the neck.
 
#39
FWIW, I have 2 basses with maple/rosewood necks, and 2 basses with 3 piece maple/ebony necks, and they have no discernible dead spots at all.

The ebony are 24 fret 5 strings, and the rosewood are 20 fret 4 strings.

Have toured and recorded with all of them.

And, fwiw, none are expensive basses.

YMMV.
 
#40
wraub said:
FWIW, I have 2 basses with maple/rosewood necks, and 2 basses with 3 piece maple/ebony necks, and they have no discernible dead spots at all.

The ebony are 24 fret 5 strings, and the rosewood are 20 fret 4 strings.

Have toured and recorded with all of them.

And, fwiw, none are expensive basses.

YMMV.
Click to expand...

If you don't notice them, that is a wonderful thing. Leave this thread quickly, and be happy:bassist::)

Again, most deadspots are in a similar position and luckily, most are easy to play around (i.e., the note will sustain nicely, but just have a much quicker drop-off in the fundamental, leaving the upper harmonics ringing.

Also, per the post above on scale length, luckily, most basses don't have the dreaded 'immediate drop off in fundamental at the initial attack'. I've luckily only experienced a few of those for sure. That is not a good thing. It also has NOTHING to do with the price of the bass, but sometimes happens, Rogue, Alembic, Fodera, Fender, whatever. Physics is physics.

I've played bass now for 41 years, and being a gear hog, have probably owned 25 basses, and have probably played a few hundred more. I can't remember any wooden neck basses that didn't have a deadspot somewhere, regardless of scale or design. Most were minor, but they are there for sure.

That being said, I know of many players who don't notice them (unfortunately, until they are pointed out by someone). Hence, my suggestion to not think about the topic:) What you don't know (in this case) won't hurt you:p
 
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