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Sustain Loss...G String...What to Do?

Sub41

Sub41

Jul 13, 2006
447
790
North FL
#1
I recently purchased a '96 Peavey Fury IV, and have done a complete setup which has made the bass a very comfortable and well sounding instrument with the exception of 2 frets.

The C/C# at the 5th/6th frets on the G string have nearly no sustain. The frets aren't dead, and they're not buzzing, there's just no sustain. This is the case even when not plugged in, so it's not the pickups. I've watched the 7th fret to see if I can see any contact between the string and fret wire, but if it's happening, I just don't see it.

The setup is dead on, and there's no problems anywhere else, so I really do suspect the 7th fret. I did a little filing of it but haven't noticed any real difference.

Could this be an issue I'm missing, or do you think the 7th fret needs more filing?
 
#2
6string said:
I recently purchased a '96 Peavey Fury IV, and have done a complete setup which has made the bass a very comfortable and well sounding instrument with the exception of 2 frets.

The C/C# at the 5th/6th frets on the G string have nearly no sustain. The frets aren't dead, and they're not buzzing, there's just no sustain. This is the case even when not plugged in, so it's not the pickups. I've watched the 7th fret to see if I can see any contact between the string and fret wire, but if it's happening, I just don't see it.

The setup is dead on, and there's no problems anywhere else, so I really do suspect the 7th fret. I did a little filing of it but haven't noticed any real difference.

Could this be an issue I'm missing, or do you think the 7th fret needs more filing?
Click to expand...

If you haven't already, you might try another string.

I can't caution you strongly enough to not file the frets unless you absolutely know what you are doing. If it's not buzzing, chances are that its not a fret dressing issue. Keep in mind that you are dealing with a measurement that has almost zero tolerance so far as over filing.

My first thought is that you have a dead spot on the neck at that position.

A quick and dirty check to determine if a dead spot is the problem is to simply put the end of the neck against a wall while playing the troublesome note(s) and see if the the sustain and volume return to normal. Be sure to press along the axis of the neck so the pressure doesn't bend the neck. If it's truly a dead spot, which is nothing more than an unwanted resonance problem, the problem will become noticeably better if it doesn't clear up completely.

If the problem is a dead spot, a Fatfinger may help.

If the problem appeared after the setup and you put new strings on it, try the old string back on it if you didn't cut the old string to remove it.

Always be suspicious of new strings. They are often defective right out of the pack and the symptoms sometimes seem unrelated to a string problem.

Good luck.
 
#3
6string said:
I recently purchased a '96 Peavey Fury IV, and have done a complete setup which has made the bass a very comfortable and well sounding instrument with the exception of 2 frets.

The C/C# at the 5th/6th frets on the G string have nearly no sustain. The frets aren't dead, and they're not buzzing, there's just no sustain. This is the case even when not plugged in, so it's not the pickups. I've watched the 7th fret to see if I can see any contact between the string and fret wire, but if it's happening, I just don't see it.

The setup is dead on, and there's no problems anywhere else, so I really do suspect the 7th fret. I did a little filing of it but haven't noticed any real difference.


Could this be an issue I'm missing, or do you think the 7th fret needs more filing?
Click to expand...

Classic dead spot... very common on many basses. Do a search for 'dead spot'... lot's of posts on this. Unfortunately, nothing can be done... it is not a set-up issue. It has to do with the way a particular wood resonates. Virtually all wood neck basses have slight dead spots on the G string between the third and seventh frets. Unfortunately, sometimes it is significant enough to really be a problem.

The FIRST thing I do when purchasing a bass is to play long whole notes up and down the G string in this area to check fo this.
 
#4
That was it! I pressed the headstock against the wall, and have tons of sustain on those 2 frets. I'm amazed...never would have thought of something like that. I sure do appreciate the replies.

You say this is something that may clear up?
 
#5
6string said:
That was it! I pressed the headstock against the wall, and have tons of sustain on those 2 frets. I'm amazed...never would have thought of something like that. I sure do appreciate the replies.

You say this is something that may clear up?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, no... this test indicates it is a dead spot (the previous poster was saying that if it is a dead spot, the problem will greatly reduce when you change the resonance of the instrument by coupling it to a large object like a wall). A 'fatfinger' type product might help, might not... but then you have a big hunk of brass hanging off your headstock. Unfortunately, if this situation really bothers you, you probably need to sell the bass and buy a different one... just make sure to do that whole note G string test... this is a common issue, and exists in cheap/expensive/solid neck/multi lam neck, etc. basses.

Sorry you are having this problem Most of us have been there with one instrument or the other, especially before we knew to look for it.

Ken

Edit: If you really like the bass, you'd be surprised how easy it is to play around a dead spot... all is not lost... you just need to decide if it is something that drives you nuts, or something that you can live with by using different fingering/positioning in your playing with patterns and keys that require those particular notes to really ring out. It isn't that big of a deal for quicker patterns, etc.... only when you are 'laying on the note' which doesn't happen that often on the G string. Good luck.
 
#7
Thanks for the clarification Ken. I can live with it; it bothered me more not knowing what was causing it. I've played guitar for years and never ran into anything like that. This is my first bass though, so I'm sure there'll be more surprises as I learn.

Thanks again.
 
#8
Kickin'Fruit said:
Does this only occur on the E string? Or is this an any string, any fret issue that is possible?
Click to expand...

It is most common on the G string of a bass guitar, between the 3rd and 7th frets. However, I've experiences slight 'deadspots' on the A and D strings also... much more rare. I dont' know why... I assume someone with more technical knowledge about this can explain.
 
#9
6string said:
Thanks for the clarification Ken. I can live with it; it bothered me more not knowing what was causing it. I've played guitar for years and never ran into anything like that. This is my first bass though, so I'm sure there'll be more surprises as I learn.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...

+1... welcome to the complicated world of creating clean, even, good sounding notes in the range of the bass guitar:D You could always buy a composite neck bass like a Zon or Modulus.... no dead spots ever... but some describe the sound as sterile and rather lifeless... always tradeoffs!
 
#12
MuzikMan said:
I have read here that using threaded inserts on the neck can effectively remove dead spots. I have no experience with this but if you search this topic you might get some insight.
Click to expand...

I seem to remember something about that too.

I suggest that you try to get with Hambone for his recommendation. He is the resident expert on the use of threaded inserts for the neck bolts. He has been using the method with success but I'm not certain if he has used it for a dead spot issue.

Trust what he says. He knows what he's talking about.
 
#13
Inserts may remove or move deadspots. I haven't tried it on all basses but those that did have resonance problems, responded favorably. I'm sure there's a case out there that won't respond but I haven't found it yet. The idea is that the junction between the neck and body is so much more solid that it acts like the neck and body are more like one piece. Sort of the reverse of a "fathead" plate. Altering mass will alter resonant frequency and that should change how and/or where the deadspot appears.

Hope this helps
 
#14
so i have lost a whole string's overall resonance.. The D string on my Warwick 4 string $$ has given out or i have just now noticed it. the G string resonates fine along with the A and E. I think the problem heppens with a warped neck? would prohaps twisting the neck truss help? i know its risky messing with the truss if you dont know what you are doing....
 
#15
6string said:
I recently purchased a '96 Peavey Fury IV, and have done a complete setup which has made the bass a very comfortable and well sounding instrument with the exception of 2 frets.

The C/C# at the 5th/6th frets on the G string have nearly no sustain. The frets aren't dead, and they're not buzzing, there's just no sustain. This is the case even when not plugged in, so it's not the pickups. I've watched the 7th fret to see if I can see any contact between the string and fret wire, but if it's happening, I just don't see it.

The setup is dead on, and there's no problems anywhere else, so I really do suspect the 7th fret. I did a little filing of it but haven't noticed any real difference.

Could this be an issue I'm missing, or do you think the 7th fret needs more filing?
Click to expand...

Dead spot; live with it.
 

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