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Fender Standard Precision Bass Dead spots

K

kattus

Aug 16, 2012
10
0
#1
Which is acceptabe / normal amount of dead spots in Precision bass?

I have handled two (MIM) Standards and both had several DP:s across the neck, plus one Totally-Dead-Spot in G string, which produces only "plonk" -sound. But as far as I understad that G string DP is Fenders "trademark". Other DP:s were not so severe but still rather disappointing.

Am I over-reacting or is certain amount of DP:s just something that you have to live with? Is it possible to have DP-free Standard P-Bass?
 
#2
kattus said:
Which is acceptabe / normal amount of dead spots in Precision bass?

I have handled two (MIM) Standards and both had several DP:s across the neck, plus one Totally-Dead-Spot in G string, which produces only "plonk" -sound. But as far as I understad that G string DP is Fenders "trademark". Other DP:s were not so severe but still rather disappointing.

Am I over-reacting or is certain amount of DP:s just something that you have to live with? Is it possible to have DP-free Standard P-Bass?
Click to expand...

Yes, dead spots on a bass made out of wood are normal, there's nothing you can do about it and no, it's not possible to have DP-free Precision basses.

This seems to cause more anxiety disorders than almost anything else, in my experience lol....

But seriously, on a 4 string Fender-derived design, DPs at or around the 5th to 7th fret on the G string are typical and don't indicate a problem.

You should see/feel what happens to my Bunny 6 string when playing up near the nut on the G and high C strings. The whole thing buzzes like a wasp on crack when playing up there over probably 3 positions around D or so. And it's a neck-through 6 string fretless with a 5 piece neck that's built like a tank :).

Going to another material, like composite, can help treat the problem, but that's a lot of money for a different type of bass that you might not like, etc....

So the moral of the story is, forget about it because you don't have a problem. Everyone who plays a Precision made out of wood has the same problem and it didn't effect all that music that has been made on them for the last 60 years or whatever. If it's really a bother, use compression and/or just pluck those notes harder...

LS
 
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#5
Most all bolt on necks have some to a degree and can have some real bad ones. This is not only with Fenders FWIW.
This is one reason I will not buy a production bass online. I sound out each note before I buy and if its good its good. All of my P basses have little to no dead spots...I won't buy a bass that has them.
 
#7
Fatfinger works by changing the mass of the neck and changing the resonant frequency at which the bass vibrates. The vibration of the instrument can interfere with the vibration of the string so changing that frequency to be less noticeable or move it completely to a less important area of the neck is possible.

This is an interesting article by John K on his approach to dealing with dead spots...
http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Bass-Deadspot-Removal.html

BTW, this is not a Fender problem.... this can be a problem with any stringed instrument. Double bassists, cellos... can all have dead spots or "Wolf Tones". They also deal with it by attaching weigh to change the mass and resonance of the instrument.
 
#9
Mine had a nasty dead spot in a couple places on the G string , also in the open position on the A string. I was using some pretty heavy guage strings.(round wound) I put a set of lighter set of flat wounds on it (45 - 100 D'addario chromes to be specific) and haven't noticed any more problems. Don't know if it was the lighter guage or changing to flats that solved it , but it sure sounds a lot better now.
 
#10
kattus said:
Which is acceptabe / normal amount of dead spots in Precision bass?

I have handled two (MIM) Standards and both had several DP:s across the neck, plus one Totally-Dead-Spot in G string, which produces only "plonk" -sound. But as far as I understad that G string DP is Fenders "trademark". Other DP:s were not so severe but still rather disappointing.

Am I over-reacting or is certain amount of DP:s just something that you have to live with? Is it possible to have DP-free Standard P-Bass?
Click to expand...

That has happened to me too with MIM.

However, I have many 2010 and newer MIA P basses and NONE OF THEM have dead spots, anywhere.

Although the quality of MIM basses is now as visually good as any MIA's I've seen, there is a definite difference in the neck. MIM = possible "dead spots" MIA = no dead spots at least 2010 and newer, per my experience.
 
#11
My 2004 American Deluxe V doesn't have any noticeable deadspots, neither does my Stingray or Rickenbacker. My MIM Mark Hoppus (2011) has several around 4th-6th frets on the G. Currently debating swapping the neck out for a US standard, maple board.

Also, I use a Fatfinger which helps but just moved the deadspots up the neck by one fret. You might be lucky and it will change the resonance of the neck to frequencies which you don't fret.
 
#13
taurus1 said:
been playing P's for decades, if my basses have dead spots, I haven't noticed them and if they do, I don't care.
Click to expand...

I'm like you on this. I try out every bass to hear if there are any . I have a couple of basses that have notes that fall off a tad but not dead. I just picked up a 08' MIA P bass and all the notes sound bright and clear..checked myself. A true dead note just go's "poof" as soon as you play it. A bass with one of those is a no for me but a bass with slight note fall (less sustain) off is ok. I dont care about slight note falling off and nobody else will either.
 
#20
In my experience any guitar can develop intonation problems/dead spots. A trip to my local luthier and $50 to $200 fixed the issued and my guitar played like a dream again. Issues could stem from nut or bridge, frets, or truss rod adjustment. The above prices relate to post-60s Martins. If you really want to get slick or just investigate technology just check out the PLEK system of adjustment. (IMHO) I did PLEK a strat build w/ a Fralin neck, Warmouth ash body, 6150s, and Lollar p-ups. SMOKIN"!!!! Very satifying project. Good luck!
 

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