Hey! I'm curious about the 12th fret of my c string. Note plays fine but the sustain is lost VERY quickly. 11th fret just fine and 13th fret just fine, same with every other fret.. Only on my c string too. Doesn't seem like any frets are loose. I've fixed the same type of problem with other basses, but one of the frets had to be glued back down, in this case doesn't seem like the frets have lifted and or no wear on the fret. Should I run some glue along the fret anyway? Anyone know the problem I'm having?
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Dead fret?
- Thread starter Hisler
- Start date
What you likely have is a dead spot. Meaning the neck is vibrating at the frequency that the string does, but the wave is reversed so it cancels out the string vibes and kills it.
It happens.
But when playing in the mix it’s simply not noticeable. I never need a sustained A on the D string.
It happens.
But when playing in the mix it’s simply not noticeable. I never need a sustained A on the D string.
That fret may also be just a tiny bit low in height, whether from movement or wear. It's not low enough to make a distinct buzz, but just enough that the string is barely rubbing on the next fret, slowing it down. I've seen that.
If you can't see any other indication that the fret is loose or moving, then have all the frets lightly leveled.
There's a simple test to see if it's a Resonant Dead Spot (what 96tbird is describing above). Hold a thin piece of metal or wire on top of the offending fret. Press the string down on top of it, and pluck it. If that brings back the full sustain, then it's not a resonant dead spot.
If you can't see any other indication that the fret is loose or moving, then have all the frets lightly leveled.
There's a simple test to see if it's a Resonant Dead Spot (what 96tbird is describing above). Hold a thin piece of metal or wire on top of the offending fret. Press the string down on top of it, and pluck it. If that brings back the full sustain, then it's not a resonant dead spot.
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To diagnose this, you detune that string a whole step - one step lower. If playing on that fret now rings out better, what you have is a dead spot - no amount of fret gluing will help. Adding or removing mass from the headstock sometimes helps - you get a small C clamp, add that ont othe headstock - if that works, then you get heavier tuners. If not, just play the darn thing.
The question I always ask when this subject come up. Is it dead when the bass is not plugged into anything? If not the problem is not your bass. I have a PB, and I’v played more than a few gigs where Db on the G string sounds dead, it’s an acoustical anomaly that caused that effect, not the bass.
This would be my guess too. Neck is resonating at that frequency sucking the sustain out of it.
Not to minimize the problem but if it is a dead spot you lucked out on the location.
Hot Tip - weighted lead tape. You can get it at just about any golf shop. Place it on the rear of the headstock -- you won't need much. It's a lot more discrete than those awful fat finger things hanging off the side like a wart.
Often adding weight just moves the dead spot to another note. Ideally, experiment until you find a weight and position that works. A lead plug could be hidden under a truss rod cover, or in a hole drilled into the end grain, followed by a wooden plug to close it up.