G# on the E string sounds dull and has no resonance.

[ImHereToAsk]

Hello. Ive noticed some issue regarding my Low E string. The 4th fret (G#) sounds dead and weak in comparison to anywhere else on the string. I've tried raising the pickup height, rewinding the string to make sure it's not twisted. Tried different eq settings on the amp etc..
I also did an experiment, i dropped the tuning to D checked the sound of the 4th fret. It wasn't dull, but when i checked 6th fret then (which is the G# again) it sounded like on the normal E tuning, dull and dead.
Is this a problem with my string? Or maybe dead spots on the bass? Or is it just the G# which is less defined by nature?

 

[michael_t]

What bass and what strings are in question here?

 

[RoadRanger]

Typical on a Fender - sell it and buy a good brand .

You could try tightening the neck and bridge screws with the strings loosened. Additional weight on the head of the neck works to lower the dead spot to below "E".

 

[ImHereToAsk]

What bass and what strings are in question here?

Ibanez Sr300E and Daddario nickel wound rounds 100. 80. 65. 45. strings

 

[michael_t]

Ibanez Sr300E and Daddario nickel wound rounds 100. 80. 65. 45. strings

Sounds to me like the issue has something to do with the neck's resonant frequency rather than the strings themselves.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Typical on a Fender - sell it and buy a good brand .

You could try tightening the neck and bridge screws with the strings loosened. Additional weight on the head of the neck works to lower the dead spot to below "E".

 

[davelowell2]

Typical on a Fender - sell it and buy a good brand .

You could try tightening the neck and bridge screws with the strings loosened. Additional weight on the head of the neck works to lower the dead spot to below "E".

Oh brother...

OP, there are tons of things to try. Search for dead spot remedies, cures, tips, tricks. Good luck!

 

[ImHereToAsk]

Sounds to me like the issue has something to do with the neck's resonant frequency rather than the strings themselves.

ill take it to a prof and let him check it out then

 

[RoadRanger]

Ibanez Sr300E

Interesting - I've only heard of the Fender headstock shape (all four tuners on one side) having this issue. I've also heard it only affects "standard" scale instruments and not medium or short scales...

 

[ImHereToAsk]

Interesting - I've only heard of the Fender headstock shape (all four tuners on one side) having this issue. I've also heard it only affects "standard" scale instruments and not medium or short scales...

Might a compressor fix the problem? It balances the volumes so that it's all more even, maybe this will make the dead note more loud so that it doens't ring out that fast? Any thoughts on this? And my mistake it's an SR300eb, not the shortscale version.

 

[packhowitzer]

Might a compressor fix the problem? It balances the volumes so that it's all more even, maybe this will make the dead note more loud so that it doens't ring out that fast? Any thoughts on this? And my mistake it's an SR300eb, not the shortscale version.

Just my opinion, but I would say instead of spending money on gear that only might address the problem, spend money on getting the bass fixed. Then it will be right all the time, not just if it's handcuffed to some effect.

 

[MattZilla]

Might a compressor fix the problem? It balances the volumes so that it's all more even, maybe this will make the dead note more loud so that it doens't ring out that fast? Any thoughts on this? And my mistake it's an SR300eb, not the shortscale version.

(long boring answer that ends in "nope. Live with it and build a collection of basses that all have dead spots somewhere on their neck, some to lesser degrees. learn to use those dead spots musically")

 

[BassUrges]

$100,000 hand-carved uprights have wolf notes. You can work on moving them around and reducing them, but if there were a universal perfect solution they wouldn’t happen to begin with.

What’s happening is you’re finding a place where the body/neck unit really likes that frequency and soaks up the string’s energy quickly.

Headstock weights, different strings (especially different gauge), tightening/loosening screws—whatever will change the resonance of the bass.

 

[Yahboy]

Hi,
Is it new bass ？if yes, have you done setup ？ if yes, your bass has dead spot.

If the new bass got return policy or exchange, just get another good piece.
If cant and you love that bass, try some others high tension or low tension bass string. Sometimes, those string could make the dead spot move to others fret or hide on fret wire position and dint notible amymore.

I been try some lightweight and heavier tunings machines in my few previous bass guitar, it just move the dead spot to others fret.

I have same bass as yours, mine are no single dead spot, because I try few new piece at GC before check out.
I hate dead spot , it is my nightmare.

Hope help.

 

[pedroims]

Put a new string, if issue still there then it is the bass itself, I just to have an Ibanez SR that had a dead spot on the G#

 

[Yahboy]

Try tighten the neck join screws (before tighten, separate the neck and body, make sure both contact side are clean/flat/smooth without wood dust), tighten bridge screws and tuner screws (nut at front and single screw at behind).

Hope help

 

[Yahboy]

Put a new string, if issue still there then it is the bass itself, I just to have an Ibanez SR that had a dead spot on the G#

Just plug my sr300E through hartke KB15.
Mine have no dead spot issue from first fret till 24th fret.

 

[DanAdams]

G# ! Just leave that lavish gaudy note for the fancy pants wearing jazz scholars and demon worshipers.
I would just go ahead and cut out the G# portion of all the frets containing that dastardly frequency.
Good riddance! G natural will do just fine thank you.

 

[Bushrod Johnson]

Substitute the Ab instead.

 

[JRA]

G# ! Just leave that lavish gaudy note for the fancy pants wearing jazz scholars and demon worshipers.

(we call it Ab)