"G" string sustain

[Shane]

The "G" string (not a thong) on my Stingray 5 has a little sustain on frets 2-6. At first I thought it was the strings but I put new strings on the bass and a professional completed work on the frets and neck. The new strings have a similar sustain or lack of on the first few frets on "G". The sound is almost dead on these frets on the "G". I get similar sound playing through any amp or without amp. I this a characteristic of this bass and wood? All stingray 5's or just this one? Anyone have a similar problem?

Shane

 

[5feetfromcool]

Hey, Im new to the forum.

Sounds like a truss rod problem maybe? But it was set up by a professional. Maybe your G string saddle slipped towards the body? How do the dead notes sound through an amp? Is there any buzzing when you play an open string?

I hope i can help

-Scott

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

aaah ha! sounds like your Bass has the dreaded dead spot disease....

A lot of Fender Basses have this problem aswell...mainly on the G string.

My 3 Basses:

79 Stingray.....G string 6th fret
J Bass deluxe.....G string 3rd, 4th & 5th
62 Re issue J Bass....G string 5th

All 3 Basses are dead at the 12th fret harmonic on the D string aswell....a bummer when trying to set the intonation.

Believe it's the natural resonance of the instrument absorbing the note/s being played.

Hasn't really worried me because I'm not usually on that part of the neck....but if I am, the fretted notes are only used in passing and it's not noticable. A bit more treble added to the tone may eases things a bit....also the use of a pick, as opposed to playing with your fingers.

I believe the dead spot can be moved to an unused area of the neck by adding a brass plate to the headstock....some experiment with different bridges....I haven't heard of a complete cure for the prob.

Some guys are lucky but the problem is more common than not....on reflection, all the Basses I've ever owned have suffered.

It's possible there may be another cause....but that's my guess.

 

[5feetfromcool]

I dont know if its one of those fender dead spots that you get on the vintage ones...those come from neck warpage (Im not sure what causes the warpage). Music Man puts together some top quality instruments and MAYBE you would get those problems on an older MM bass, but I really doubt that they would mess up something thats younger than 10 years old. Try playing around with the G string saddle height, or try adjusting your trussrod (if you know what youre doing).


Scott

 

[Shane]

Thanks for your comments. The truss rod and bridge height is OK. There is no string buzz. The bass was built in 1990 and does have some slight warpage on the neck - the fretwork was done to compensate irregularities in the wood. The sustain problem is very minor and only noticeable with a trained ear. The 4th and 5th frets are the only real problem areas. I clamped a weight on the headstock but did not notice any difference in the sound.

Shane

 

[bovinehost]

Dead spots are not a symptom of age or warping but of the reality of working with wood. Vintage or brand new off the shelf, if your bass has a wooden neck, you can probably find a dead (to some degree) spot on the fretboard. Some are more audible than others, some are nearly free of dead spots, it's all voodoo anyway.

But it has nothing to do with age or neck twists (usually). You might want to talk to MM customer service and see what the experts say about replacing the neck if it's causing you difficulty.

PS, graphite = no dead spots

Jack

 

[Dub Saint]

I've owned more than a few basses in my day, all wood/trussrod construction, and I have found that they all have them to some degree. It IS voodoo - or biology to be exact (wood is a living material). Here is what I've found in my own experiences:

1. Graphite reinforced necks CAN have dead spots and they can be just as bad as any of the non-graphite reinforced variety. I'm not talking about the completely graphite neck, but the wood necks with the graphite reinforcement.

2. It doesn't matter how high or low end the bass is - they are still prone. In my experience, basses with better pickups/electronics can actually make the dead spot sound more clear and definite! I've picked up $300 basses with a mild dead spot and $3000 basses with severe ones.

3. Almost all dead spots I've encountered are on the G string, somewhere between the 4th and 9th fret.

4. The two Sterlings I've owned were the best - the dead spots were VERY mild and the note on that fret was still completely useable.

5. I've recently been told that a different neck can eliminate dead spots (It only makes sense, I guess).

Anyone ever tried a Fat finger - I'm thinking of trying one to see if and what results it has.

It's also interesting that dead spots are not something you hear about when you first start playing bass. Not a lot of bassists talk about them and I often wondered if I was just unlucky and/or wasn't careful enough when selecting basses. I'm starting to believe there are a lot more dead spots out there that people aren't willing to admit to, don't know about, or don't care about....

BTW - I recently read some of Garry Willis' comments and he claims that pretty much all wooden bass necks with a truss rod have dead spots. Interesting, check it out for September "ask section":
www.garywillis.com/pages/ask/askindex.html

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>I'm starting to believe there are a lot more dead spots out there that people aren't willing to admit to, don't know about, or don't care about.

EXACTLY!

 

[Dub Saint]

I've noticed that there are a few guitarists and bass players who use the Fat Finger on their headstocks. Two that come to mind are Billy Sheehan (sp?) and Joe Satriani. I have to find out where to get one in my area (Canada). They are priced around the $40 range. $40 is a decent price for something that encourages me to make the most of my basses, whether it works or not...

 

[Cutlass I]

Buy a Cutlass and lose the deadspot...!

Whats a "Fat Finger"...

 

[Dub Saint]

A Fat Finger is a brass (?) clamp that you attach to the headstock. The goal is to increase mass there. Aside from dead spot removal, it is also supposed to balance the overall tone and increase overall sustain. I have plans to acquire one, so I'll let you know if it does any of the above.

 

[Cutlass I]

Sounds great.. Looking forward to that..

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>>Buy a Cutlass and lose the deadspot...!

mmmmmmm!!!!! I know I guy living in China, but comes from Denmark, and has 3 (from memory) Cutlass Basses....a white one I really like....what a coincidence!!!

 

[Cutlass I]

Well Rod.. As far as I know he has got 4... and the white one is not going anywhere.. have a sunburst you might like though..

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Heeehhhheeeeeheeee......

We both know the same guy!!!!!

Yep...the white one is really nice....why don't you place a pic for the guys here....I really like that pic....I'm sure others will too!!!

PS...Palle, if you don't...I will.....you have every right to SHOW OFF! (it's on my hard drive!!!!).

 

[Cutlass I]

Hey Rod..

I dont like to "show off", but on the otherhand, someone around here might never have seen a picture of a Cutlass..

This one is NOT a Cutlass.. But I like it anyways..

Hmmm.. cant get the pictures to work.. Just comes up as links.. guess that is okay..

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

As I said Palle, the white is particularly nice...but I like them all.