Are Cobalts medicine for dead spots?

[Northray]

First of all, I know dead spots are a contentious issue, so I don't want to start any serious arguments with anyone. Also, I don't want to criticize Music Man or any other companies' instruments about dead spots. In my opinion, dead spots exist and my basses over the years have had some typical "deadish" spots on the G-string (I'm not saying which brands, so don't make any assumptions... . In the past I've tried different gauges/brands of strings and noticed improvement on the G string area.

However I'm curious - has anyone used Cobalt strings and noticed any "lessening" of sustain-challenged areas on their basses?

People have noticed serious improvement in sustain and tone, so I'm wondering if Cobalts might be helpful for this phenomenon.

 

[rutgart]

IT your experiment, buy some and let us know

 

[Northray]

IT your experiment, buy some and let us know

Unfortunately I live in Canada's arctic... it may take awhile to get them shipped.... My local music store only carries EB guitar strings. Of course, YOU live in Australia, so it's likely as difficult for you to get new Cobalts as it is for me....

BUT... you've raised an interesting proposition for an experiment!

 

[laneline]

Northray, I don't know if a string can fix a dead spot but i can say the Cobalts are great strings that add a lot of clarity, I didn't think an MM B string could get better, they are very much worth checking out just because they are so different in feel and tone.

 

[keko]

Sorry to interrupt, but there are no "dead spots" on basses, ...we can only discuss about correct or incorrect basses!

So called "dead spot" is usually just a simple malfunction, ...mainly mechanical problem!

So, forget about the strings, find a good builder of musical instruments to check Your bass first!
The next step is to retrieve new strings!

 

[stomaraka]

"sustain-challenged areas"...

 

[DTG]

I used to think like you keko, until I played a bass that had one. It was the weirdest thing ever. It was like someone sucked the tone right off the note.

 

[keko]

I used to think like you keko, until I played a bass that had one. It was the weirdest thing ever. It was like someone sucked the tone right off the note.

In any venue?, ...through any rig, ...through any PA support, through studio headphones...?

Are You sure that only fret wasn't right at that "dead" note?, ...etc.

I never had a bass with dead spot in my hands, ...there were a few "broken" and after repair (usually fret work) everything was just fine...etc.

I don't wanna mess with this thread, ...recently had a huge discussion about that on one domestic forum, so I'm tired of this "dead spot" subject!

 

[Northray]

"sustain-challenged areas"...

Just trying to be politically correct....

 

[strummer]

The best cure for dead spots must surely be flats?

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I've played basses with huge dead spots, others with little ones and ones that I couldn't tell. The most common offending area is around C - D on the G-string.

I would imagine that a string wouldn't be able to eliminate a dead spot, as it's inherent to the instrument and the overall design and material, etc...

 

[Northray]

I've played basses with huge dead spots, others with little ones and ones that I couldn't tell. The most common offending area is around C - D on the G-string.

I would imagine that a string wouldn't be able to eliminate a dead spot, as it's inherent to the instrument and the overall design and material, etc...

I'm not saying a different string guage/brand/material/core construction can totally eliminate a dead spot, but maybe they could improve it somewhat. A string change is a variable that can have impact on sound, feel, and tension.

For example, I find that on one of my basses heavier guage strings make the dead area more noticeable; a G string of 45 or less seems to be not as much. I also find that some flatwounds I've tried made dead spots more pronounced. I recently read a post on another forum where an individual changed from hex core strings to round cores and had positive results. In all of these cases, the improvement in sustain was only mild or moderate - but noticeable. I'm curious to see if there are any related cobalt anecdotes floating around out there.

 

[drTStingray]

I've only got them on a Bongo 5HHp and have always thought the bass had even sound throughout - the Cobalts do create exceptionally clear and even tone across the bass, totally different from anything else I've used. When you get chance, try some - they're well worth it IMHO, and as soon as I can I will be putting some on my Classic SR4.

I have to say nothing will prise me away from EB Group 3 flats on my fretless and my SR4HH seems to be made for standard slinkies (I put some DR MM signature strings on it recently - whereas this type was great on my SR5, for me, they are no-where near as good as standard slinkies on the SR4HH) - so far I'm sold on Cobalts on Bongos and single pick up Rays - just my taste though.

 

[five7]

The best cure for dead spots must surely be flats?

the best cure is to sell it

 

[DTG]

In any venue?, ...through any rig, ...through any PA support, through studio headphones...?

Are You sure that only fret wasn't right at that "dead" note?, ...etc.

I never had a bass with dead spot in my hands, ...there were a few "broken" and after repair (usually fret work) everything was just fine...etc.

I don't wanna mess with this thread, ...recently had a huge discussion about that on one domestic forum, so I'm tired of this "dead spot" subject!

Pretty much yeah, tried it in 3 different rigs in my house ampeg b15, ashdown combo thing and my markbass rig. And used it in 2 different venues 3 if you include my house. Same thing each time.

Sometimes seeing is believing, or hearing in this case.

It wasn't a musicman btw

 

[lipan]

Sorry to interrupt, but there are no "dead spots" on basses, ...we can only discuss about correct or incorrect basses!

So called "dead spot" is usually just a simple malfunction, ...mainly mechanical problem!

So, forget about the strings, find a good builder of musical instruments to check Your bass first!
The next step is to retrieve new strings!

I had a bass, where I could actually feel the body of the instrument vibrate and take all the energy out of the string when a# was played on the d string. So I certainly "believe" in dead spots

 

[MadMatt]

I had a bass, where I could actually feel the body of the instrument vibrate and take all the energy out of the string when a# was played on the d string. So I certainly "believe" in dead spots

+1

Its all physics... mass, vibrations and this thing called resonation.

I have a fretless with a dead spot. It's not a bump or anything on the board. You can actually feel the body start to resonate and simply killing the string vibration. No amp nessesary.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I've owned dozens of basses, and I've played hundreds more. All of the bolt ons have a dead spot somewhere on the neck. Usually the 4-7th fret on the G string. In some basses, its a dramatic effect. In others, it's barely noticeable. From EBMMs, to Sadowskys, to Spectors to Fenders.....all have had a dead spot. It's physics.....I'm not sure why someone would try to deny it.

I recently installed Colbalts on my Fender Jazz Deluxe, which has a minor dead spot on the 6th fret of the G string. The dead spot is still there, and it's hard to say whether it's been lessened or not. So, overall, I would say that Cobalts are NOT a cure for dead spots.

 

[keko]

After loooong never-ending discussion at one domestic forum about DS, I asked all forum mates: OK if someone got a bass with DS contact me I'll come to try it, ...I never tried bass with DS (I play bass +30 yrs), so I really wanna check such a bass!

You know what my friends?, ...no one, ...no one accepted my proposal!

Anyway, my guitarist is also guitar builder and repairer, ...You know what he said about DS?, ...come on, there are no such a things, ...if sound so, ...it's just a malfunction, something is broken...etc.!!!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I have an other brand fretless bass that has a huge dead spot at C on the G-string. If you ever come to Canada, you can try it out and see for yourself! It pretty much disappears with no sustain.