Do Stingrays have the infamous dead spot??

[pingvuiini]

Do Stingrays have a dead spot at the 5/6 fret on the G string (or anywhere else for that matter?) like most Precision style basses?? Or does the smaller headstock move it elsewhere?? Or.....???

Thanks for any insight.

 

[selowitch]

I don’t know but I’d love to know the answer!

 

[SJan3]

Do Stingrays have a dead spot at the 5/6 fret on the G string (or anywhere else for that matter?) like most Precision style basses?? Or does the smaller headstock move it elsewhere?? Or.....???

Thanks for any insight.

Many people claim that on a Stingray, the entire G string is weak in comparison to the other strings. That was my experience when I had Stingrays.

 

[Grapevine921]

Some say the reason Leo switched to the 3+1 headstock Was to eliminate the Fender dead spot. I think the severity of the G string dead spot really depends on the player's perception. It drives some people crazy and others never notice. I personally haven't owned a bass with a dead spot that was unusable but I naturally play longer sustained notes in the middle of the neck when given the option.

 

[Bassclef46]

Many people claim that on a Stingray, the entire G string is weak in comparison to the other strings. That was my experience when I had Stingrays.

Interesting. I have 2 ebmm stingray specials and both of the g strings sound equal to the other 3 with no dead spots.

 

[SJan3]

Interesting. I have 2 ebmm stingray specials and both of the g strings sound equal to the other 3 with no dead spots.

As I said, "many people claim", and my 1980 Stingray had a thin sounding G string. I always found myself moving my hand closer to the neck when playing on the G string to try and fatten it up. I had that bass for over 22 years so it wasn't a deal breaker, but noticable.
I'm happy for you if your basses don't exhibit this issue.

 

[jd56hawk]

Some say the reason Leo switched to the 3+1 headstock Was to eliminate the Fender dead spot. I think the severity of the G string dead spot really depends on the player's perception. It drives some people crazy and others never notice. I personally haven't owned a bass with a dead spot that was unusable but I naturally play longer sustained notes in the middle of the neck when given the option.

What about G&L?

 

[Bassclef46]

As I said, "many people claim", and my 1980 Stingray had a thin sounding G string. I always found myself moving my hand closer to the neck when playing on the G string to try and fatten it up. I had that bass for over 22 years so it wasn't a deal breaker, but noticable.
I'm happy for you if your basses don't exhibit this issue.

you know what’s ironic is my Yamaha attitude 3 the d and g sound really thin with both pickups turned all the way up. That’s in mono of course. If I run them to separate amps ot not like that.

 

[JuanB]

I went through 2 EBMM Stingray Specials and had to return them both due to unacceptable dead spots on the G string. They were all around the 7th to 9th fret on the G string. By unacceptable I mean they instantly faded into harmonics. Absolutely no fundamental on those notes. Tried new strings and a proper setup. I get that all wooden basses have some degree of dead spots on them but I've never experienced anything like this. The entire body of the basses shook violently when the offending note was played. It's really too bad as I loved them otherwise.

 

[Bassclef46]

What about G&L?

I was thinking that too. If true it must not be an issue with today’s builds. Cause the op also said p style basses and non of mine have dead spots. Unless I am just lucky. Lol

 

[Grapevine921]

What about G&L?

The little hook on the headstock scoops up the weaker notes to even everything out.

 

[selowitch]

What about the EBMM Sterling bass?

 

[arbiterusa]

I don’t know what I’m doing right but to this day I’ve never had a bass with any sort of audible dead spot. That roster now includes two of the el cheapo Ray4s.

 

[BAG]

I don’t know what I’m doing right but to this day I’ve never had a bass with any sort of audible dead spot. That roster now includes two of the el cheapo Ray4s.

My suggestion is don't go looking for them.... because you'll probably find one or two that have never bothered you before.... and then you'll always hear them.

 

[Element Zero]

My 2000 SR5 has it a bit on the 5th fret G string and a bit on the 10th and 11th fret D string. It not enough to bother me or hinder my playing in any way.

By contrast, my Fodera has it a bit on the 7th fret G string and some at the 10th fret D string which is a little annoying at times.

Both however, FOR ME, is nothing... to... fret about...

 

[SJan3]

you know what’s ironic is my Yamaha attitude 3 the d and g sound really thin with both pickups turned all the way up. That’s in mono of course. If I run them to separate amps ot not like that.

Maybe the pups cancel each other out?
Not really familiar with the Attitude..

 

[Danny O Danny]

About 2 years ago I bought a brand new Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Special. Beautiful bass, but it had the worse dead spot of any bass I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot of basses). From the 5th fret to the 9th fret on the G string the deadness was severe. I'm surprised it passed QC.

 

[nivagues]

I have five Sting Rays (including a late 1978 Pre-EB). They all have a dead spot around the 5th, 6th or 7th fret on the G string. Same with my existing J Jazz Bass and previously owned two P Basses, Jazz Bass and Rickenbacker. They vary (and varied) in degree but not to the extent of making the instruments unplayable. Generally I find them unnoticeable as that area of the neck is mainly used for passing notes and most times play with a pick. I suspect that in a lot of cases they're not extreme and go unnoticed unless specifically looking for them.

 

[elgranluis]

I think dead spots are are always there on every traditional style bass but it really depends on the player to be able to notice them. Ive owned at least 50-70 basses (rics, gibson, fender, MM) and all of them had something going on at the 4th,5th, 6th fret on the G string.

Did I have a 50 bass-long streak of bad luck? I dont thinks so!

 

[bigswifty1]

I own 3 stingrays (2 x 4H's and 1 x Classic 4). I've previously owned another 4H and another Classic. No dead spots noticeable on any of them with a variety of strings and different tunings.

The only bass I've owned with a problematic dead spot was a Sadowsky Will Lee Metro downtuned a half step. It didn't respond to any of the common treatments. The dead spot was bad enough that I was unable to use it.