Dead notes on the G string. Sterling

[apollo11]

My Sterling fretless has low volume on the G string compared to the other 3. It is quite dead sounding, especially in the areas from the 5th to 9th fret positions (fretless thought). The volume is lower, too. When playing in the area of the 5th through 9th, the volume is extremely low and bad sounding. No ring or life to it. I've changed strings to and from another bass to verify. It is driving me nuts enough to not play it as of late. Any suggestions on what may be the problem? It is a 2001 model.

I raised the pickup on one side, which helped slightly with the volume, but the dead area has not improved at all.

I imagine it needs a tweak of the trussrod. A few days ago I moved the dial one notch to the right, where it was when I first purchased it. Some time ago I had moved it from this position, one notch to the left, to get rid of some string buzz on the lower notes of each string.

Should I take it in for a setup, or is there something simple I could try at home? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Andrew

 

[Moondog]

Sounds like a serious problem Apollo - I'll take the fretless
off your hands for , oh, let's say 200 bucks?

Then I'll own 4 MusicMen with G/4-8fret dead notes!


In all seriousness, try a tech or different string and/or gauge.
I've tried the above w/improvement but there's still a small
G-string area on my MM basses that's not quite on par w/the
other notes (sounds ok but a bit less sustain).

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Could be a couple of things happening here.

On two of my 'Rays (with the three band pre-amps), the G string is initially lower in output with the controls set flat. It's also in the area of the neck you mention. If I wind up the Mid control, then no probs (about 3/4 rotation).
The quiter G saga comes up for discussion every so often. Some notice it and apparently others don't. IMO, it probably has something to do with a persons ability to clearly hear certain notes at different frequencies.

Adding to this, you may also have a dead spot around the 5th or 6th position of the G string. All my Basses in the past have had a dead C#. It's also the same with my current Basses: 3 'Rays and 2 J Basses. For me, the C# is mainly a passing note and doesn't present a prob.

Ball park pickup height should be 5/32" from bottom of the E string to top of the pickup magnet. On the G string it should be 4/32". Measurements with a 6" steel rule while the Bass is held in the play position.

.

 

[apollo11]

Thank you very much, guys, for responding. I'll mess with the EQ a bit, and change string guage. I'll leave the trussrod alone.

My basses all have fairly dead C's on the G string, but this is the only bass that has such an extended range over the string. It is funny, it wasn't as noticable before, so I don't believe it was as bad as it is.

I'll keep tinkering, and move the saddles to bring the string height to the recommended measurements.

And Moondog, if there isn't an improvement, get ready to send me that $200---ah, what the heck, $150, for your new fretless.

Andrew Messer

 

[Moondog]

And Moondog, if there isn't an improvement, get ready to send me that $200---ah, what the heck, $150, for your new fretless.
Andrew Messer

Thanks Andrew but I can't do this anymore - I cannot let my lust for a fretless allow me to screw-over a fellow EB'er. I could not look myself in the mirror if I did not offer you at least . . .uh . . . $250

 

[apollo11]

I put slightly heavier guage strings on and messed with the EQ & the amp a bit, away from my normal taste in sound, and the G has come alive quite a bit. Just a little flatter in the 5th though 7th, but easily liveable.
Thanks a lot, guys, for your input.
Andrew

 

[Shane]

Your not alone with that propblem - I posted the same exact thread about a year ago. My Stingray has a dead spot on the 4-7 frets on the G string. It seems to be a problem with MM and some Fenders also. A heavier guage string seemed to improve. I also tried a "fat thumb". This produced little improvement. It is a charecterstic of the wood and design. Elimiate all the vibrations will help. Look for loose screws, spings, pick guard, saddle. Any vibration will kill sustain on certain notes. A new Stingray I played at a local store had similar problem.