Dead spot 7th fret "G" string

[remo]

I've got a really nasty dead D note at the 5th fret on my G string (SR5).. it almost instantly dies when I play it... the bass is still factory configured and I'm using the same strings the bass shipped with (brand new)..

really unhappy about it because I use that note a lot and it's getting really annoying to hear the dead note instead of a lovely sustained D note.. and these basses are not't exactly cheap...

anyone else have this issue on their SR5 or anyone fixed dead spots before?

 

[Mobay45]

Call customer service. They'll help you sort it out.

 

[bovinehost]

"An Opinion"
by Jack Williams​

Almost every fretted instrument I've ever played has some sort of "dead" spot here or there. Before doing anything else, I would:

a. change the strings and
b. be sure the wrap on the G string post was done correctly.

While you may not ever completely overcome a perceived dead spot, it can usually be minimized, sometimes to the point of being sonically invisible.

Some people have opined that all instruments with headstocks will experience, to some degree, dead spots. I tend to agree with that.

I've never had one on an EBMM bass that couldn't be minimized, something I can't say for certain other brands.

Good luck!

Jack

 

[bovinehost]

I should clarify what I mean by "dead spot". I do not mean a note that chokes immediately. I am talking about a note that doesn't ring as well as others.

Some people really mean 'dead', as in no sustain whatsoever. I've seen this on a few Fenders, but never on a Music Man.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[higher1]

is this person really talking about a MM bass? I have NEVER heard of this with any MM product in the many years that I have been a MM user. the only time I persoanlly ever had this happen was when I placed a non- MM product on my blubeast (moses graphite neck).

 

[bovinehost]

is this person really talking about a MM bass?

Sure. Wood is not structurally homogenous. A combination of factors can contribute to the so-called "dead spot", but again, I want to clarify that when I use the term, it's not "dead" - it's just not quite as lively as other notes.

REALLY dead is another issue altogether.

 

[remo]

"An Opinion"
by Jack Williams​

b. be sure the wrap on the G string post was done correctly.

Jack

Hi, thanks for the suggestions, could you please elaborate on how the G string wrap should be done?

Certainly the note is not completely dead but its sustain is half or less what the other notes is and it feels like it goes into a "harmonic overtone" (for want of a better description) quickly after I play it.. i.e the fundamental of the note dies quickly but leaves a harmonic like overtone.. does that make sence?

also I notice a "different" vibration through the body of the bass into my gut when I play the affected note.. there is definitly more vibration in the body when i hit the note in question..

yes it is a brand new SR5..

cheers,

Guy

 

[tkarter]

It should be wrapped from the top down to the bottom. Atleast 4 wraps if at all possible.

I have had some luck just loosing and retightening a string and getting the dead spot to go away.

If it has only a couple of wraps on it it needs a new string.

IMHO

tk

 

[bovinehost]

Now we’ve veered into setup questions and I don’t do that, usually, on advice from my therapist….but okay.

First, make sure you have a straight line from nut to post. (This seems basic, I know, but you’d be surprised what I’ve seen and if I don’t mention it, then it doesn’t get mentioned, right?)

Second, be sure you have enough excess string to get 2-3 wraps around the post but not so much that it wraps over itself.

Third – very important – be sure there is a downward pressure on the post. (In other words, start your wrap at the top of the post and move down toward the headstock.)

If you’ve done all that (and changed the strings), then further long-distance diagnosis would be difficult.

Jack

 

[JayAmel]

I am also amazed by this dead spot and never heard of any on any MM bass. But I believe this may accidentally happen in every brand. Just my thought is that among mass production instruments, this seems to happen way less often on MM basses than on hmmmmm, ***SELF-CENSORED***.

About the wrap. Some time ago, I had stupidly wrapped my G string the wrong way. Most specifically, the last wrap was not perfectly under the whole wrap. So the G string tended to "jump" out of the nut. Thanks people who helped me there, the issue was fixed in a couple of minutes. Hope this may help.

Anyway, I believe the EB/MM Customer Service will be responsive and helpful.

Cheers
Jay

 

[Golem]

Also, just check EVERYTHING.
Be sure all neck bolts are snug.
Check the string tree.
Check the whole tuning machine.
Make sure the string is not binding in the nut.
Make sure the next fret up is not just a tiny bit high.

If you retune up or down a semitone, does the same spot stay
dead, or does the dead spot follow the note itself [or go away]?