The only way to 'possibly' eliminate a dead spot is to physically change the instrument (i.e., change the mass, etc.). While rare, changing out a bridge can help reduce or move a deadspot on an instrument. Same thing with those 'fat fingers' or whatever they are that clamp onto the headstock. It usually doesn't help, but sometimes the planets line up and it is just enough change in mass to reduce a problem.
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What exactly are dead spots
- Thread starter garmenteros
- Start date
The only way to 'possibly' eliminate a dead spot is to physically change the instrument (i.e., change the mass, etc.). While rare, changing out a bridge can help reduce or move a deadspot on an instrument. Same thing with those 'fat fingers' or whatever they are that clamp onto the headstock. It usually doesn't help, but sometimes the planets line up and it is just enough change in mass to reduce a problem.
Probably the most common dead spot is somewhere between the 5th and 8th fret on the G string of some Fenders.
To the OP, congrats to you if you don't know what a dead spot is! That means you probably haven't come across one!
Did a quick check a moment ago, and DAMN it's not the spot per se but the note. The A# on my G string (third fret) sustains less as well. I suppose a change in mass changes the overall 'frequency' the body+neck vibrates at, thus changing the note that it sympathizes with, thus 'moving' the spot.
My SX fretless has a dead spot around the C on the G string, if you mess with the tuning of the G string, the dead spot moves accordingly (i. e. to wherever the C is now), it is pretty cool, actually. I don't mind it that much, I never play long notes up there anyway as they can sound a tad thin.
The theory behind the fan fret system is the elimination of dead spots. So far, my fan fret bass has proven them right.
Novax Guitars
Novax Guitars
I've never noticed dead spots on my basses -- but I guess they must be there, maybe just not bad?
Don't start looking for them now - you might regret it! Once you find one it can be easy to obsess over it.
Yeah, that's the problem with a thread like this... most dead spots are so subtle that most just play right over them. However, if you focus on it and really go to school on your neck, it is hard to put the genie back in the bottle
Are neck-through basses as susceptible to dead spots/wolf tones as the bolt-on variety?
M. M.
Unfortunately, yes.
My F bass has a dead spot at C on the D string (10th fret). It pisses the hell out of me since I noticed it and it's on the reasons I'm getting a new bass. I've never noticed a dead spot like that one on any of my other basses, but on my fretless the g string is dead-ish between the 3rd and 8th fret (neck-through btw).
Dead spots unfortunately don't respect the amount of money you pay for a bass. Wood is wood. Multi-lam, graphite reinforcement, fanned frets, thicker headstock, and all the other mumbledemum... wood is wood. The good news is, the vast majority of dead spots are minor and are easy to just play around. Some are a drag though.
And, other than the guys with graphite necks (which are worse than deadspots to me
), if someone says their neck doesn't have a dead spot, they are either lying or deaf. On the other hand, the vast majority of dead spots are minor enough that they won't cause an issue at all.That being said, I've both not purchased and sold basses due to dead spots that just drove me nuts!
Yeah, that's the problem with a thread like this... most dead spots are so subtle that most just play right over them. However, if you focus on it and really go to school on your neck, it is hard to put the genie back in the bottle
I'm now officially afraid to touch my basses ....
:scowl:
I'm now officially afraid to touch my basses ....
Just don't sit there timing the decay of each note on your bass and you should be fine.
A simple complete explanation should be a sticky, because too many people seem to think fret buzz is a dead spot.
I think dead spots are sometimes worried about too much. I never even knew my basses had any until I went looking for them.
I don't play in a manner that requires long decays on my notes, so maybe it matters more to some people.
Maybe my basses are just "lucky" ones, and only have minor dead spots, and perhaps there are basses that have severe dead spots. But the dead spots on my basses don't bother me one bit.
I don't play in a manner that requires long decays on my notes, so maybe it matters more to some people.
Maybe my basses are just "lucky" ones, and only have minor dead spots, and perhaps there are basses that have severe dead spots. But the dead spots on my basses don't bother me one bit.
