Advice needed. Lack of sustain in one position.

[anton72]

Hello all, I need an advice. I have a 4 string neck-through bass, everything is good about it but the note D (A string fretted on the 5th fret) lacks output and sustain compared to the other strings fretted on the same fret and also compared to the same string fretted on the rest of the frets. I've heard about dead spots on BO basses but this is neck through and A string. What is reason and can it be fixed somehow?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Well, the first thing is to determine if the problem is an actual Dead Spot, caused by resonance of the frame, or if it's a fret problem. Sometimes a slightly low fret can cause a sort-of dead spot, if it's just low enough that the string mutes on the next fret without really buzzing.

The way to quickly test it is to use a small nail or metal pin, something a little bigger in diameter than the fret. Slip it under the string, right up against the 5th fret, and hold the string down. You are creating a temporary false fret that's a little higher than the real fret.

Now, what does it sound like? If it now rings out like the others, then you don't have a real dead spot. You've got a fret problem. Most likely, you just need a slight fret leveling job.

If it still sounds dead, with the sustain dropping off quickly, then you have a real resonance-caused dead spot. They are most common on Fender-style 4-string bolt-on basses, but can happen on some neck-thru basses too. That's a more difficult problem to solve.

 

[anton72]

Well, the first thing is to determine if the problem is an actual Dead Spot, caused by resonance of the frame, or if it's a fret problem. Sometimes a slightly low fret can cause a sort-of dead spot, if it's just low enough that the string mutes on the next fret without really buzzing.

The way to quickly test it is to use a small nail or metal pin, something a little bigger in diameter than the fret. Slip it under the string, right up against the 5th fret, and hold the string down. You are creating a temporary false fret that's a little higher than the real fret.

Now, what does it sound like? If it now rings out like the others, then you don't have a real dead spot. You've got a fret problem. Most likely, you just need a slight fret leveling job.

If it still sounds dead, with the sustain dropping off quickly, then you have a real resonance-caused dead spot. They are most common on Fender-style 4-string bolt-on basses, but can happen on some neck-thru basses too. That's a more difficult problem to solve.

Thank you so much for your input! I'll check it soon and report back on the results.