franzbassist Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Interesting observation. My main bass had a [i]slight[/i] dead spot at the 7th fret on the G string. No biggie, but noticeable reduction in sustain compared with every other note. Then last night I noticed that the neck bolts were slightly loose, so I tightened them up, and the dead spot has now moved to the 5th fret! I can only assume that the tighter join has shifted the point at which the resonant frequency is cancelled out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 My JV has the classic 5th fret G string dead spot. Everything is rung up as tight as it can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Welcome to the wonderful world of bolt-on necks! Seriously, tweak the truss rod a shade tighter, not really enough to change the relief, but to change the tension slightly, and see if it helps. For stability's sake, I wouldn't go back and loosen the neck bolts. Yes, any change in any detail of a bolt-on bass can change the resonance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I seem to remember reading about a Fender research project that aimed to remove the dead spot. The result was that a headless bass with a though neck was the best and second best was a 2L2R headstock with a through neck. Neither of these were acceptable for aesthetic reasons at Fender so we live with the dead spot. I gave real credence to Ned Steinberger's work though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1448203542' post='2913618'] ...second best was a 2L2R headstock with a through neck.[/quote] One more reason I prefer my Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3"). Edited November 30, 2015 by iiipopes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 Just too add that I've found shims can help with dead spots. Don't know why, I guess different angle and possible error mother science lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 [quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1448203542' post='2913618'] I seem to remember reading about a Fender research project that aimed to remove the dead spot. The result was that a headless bass with a though neck was the best and second best was a 2L2R headstock with a through neck. Neither of these were acceptable for aesthetic reasons at Fender so we live with the dead spot. I gave real credence to Ned Steinberger's work though. [/quote] Alway assumed Fender's bolt on neck and low rake angle on the headstock, requiring the string tree, was to get more necks out of a piece of lumber. Same with split P pup - a cheap humbuck. P was built down to a price, rather than any aesthetics. Was there a post recently about loosening and re-tightening the bolts with the strings under tension to cure some dead spots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 FatFinger ? Some have had results saying it eliminated a dead spot , others have said it moved the dead spot somewhere else, others said it makes no difference I had a Squier Modified J fretless that had a typical dead spot on the G string 7th fret - dont have the bass anymore, but of my current 4 basses, the Vintage MM clone has one in the same place, but its not my gigging bass, so no matter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.