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Post subject: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:59 am
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Hi there,
First of all I’m sorry for my english, pls try to understand me in any way….
On January 2012 I bought new my first Fender bass (American Deluxe Jazz Bass V – ash, maple fingerboard, natural) which I added to the others I own (G&L, Warwick, Laurus, Steinberger…..).
I have not used this bass so much during last year since I was out due to my job, now I’m trying to get the right “feeling” with it and, after the usual settings (action, neck relief) I notice a strange problem: from the 4th fret to 8th fret of the 5th string (B) the sustain is VERY short. More precisely, the attack volume is the same as other notes on different strings/frets, but the decay is very fast – in live situations I have often been compelled to “repeat” the note to keep the duration.
I’ve tried several kind of strings (nickel/steel, .40/.45 scale) without noticeable improvements; actually I am getting some using the “top load” of strings on the bridge (not the “trough body” solution….), but the problem substantially still remains.
I have also tried to modify the height of pickups (especially the neck one...), nothing happens.
It is a sort of “dead zone”, rather than a dead spot.
As far as I know, this kind of problem is caused by intrinsic mechanical characteristic of the whole mechanic system from the bridge to the main fret (I don’t know the right term…..) in terms of “phase shift” between the string vibration wave and the corrispondent of the instrument, which would mean, at first sight, to throw away the bass.
The instrument is still covered by the warranty, but really I don’t know if this kind of problem may be interpreted as “subjective factor” or effective issue.

Did anyone face this kind of problem?
Any suggestion to solve it or, at least, better investigate?
Thanks to all!
:roll:


Vincenzo
(Italy)


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:20 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Dead zones are not completely uncommon. I don't play 5 string so my usual dead area is on the G string at frets 2,3,4 and 5. Changing the mass of the headstock can cure it there by moving the cancelling harmonic out of the range of that string. Neck mass modification will probably work on the B string also. There are a couple of ways to do that.

It is a legendary story. A bassist complained to Leo Fender about the dead spot around the C note on the G string. Leo gave them a "C" clamp to attach to the headstock, which worked:

Image

I've also heard of people drilling small holes in the headstock and inserting titanium weights under the tuner flatwork. It also works.

Then there is the clip on Fat-Finger which was formerly distributed by Groove-Tubes but now is a Fender branded product:

Image

Basically the Fat-Finger is a glorified C-Clamp. So Leo Fender was right.

The Fat-Finger looks better than a C-Clamp. I've also found a clip-on Snark tuner helps move dead spots.


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:34 pm
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Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 1:19 pm
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I have no experience with a dead zone. But a 'fat finger' which dave recommended to me a few years ago did solve the dead spot at the 5th fret on the G string on my 58' P bass. It was really hard to find one for sale then. I haven't looked lately is someone producing them again?


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:39 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Yes Fat-Finger devices are back. Groove-Tubes (now a FMIC company) stopped distributing them under the G-T brand about 18 months ago to focus strictly on tubes under the their brand. They were very scarce for a while unless you lucked into existing inventory. In the past few months they have come back under the FENDER brand and are now a Fender Accessories product even though they are not depicted at present in the Fender Accessories section of the Fender site. All the online retailers have them in stock for both bass and guitar. But unless you have an issue with a dead spot or dead zone they are of little if any benefit. Also a one-dollar c clamp does the same thing, but isn't quite as professional looking on stage.

Image


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:07 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:01 am
Posts: 2842
What you are talking about with the B string is mostly the reason I don't own a 5 string. I think to get a really good five that has killer sound and sustain you need to spend big bucks. I've had several 5's and have never found one under 1200 dollars that I feel is worth it. The ones I had just didn't have good overall sound/tone/sustain across the neck. I got frustrated and bought and sold 5 or 6 of them and then I just gave it up. I think finding a good 5 is harder than finding a good 4 string. Good luck I hope you work out the dead zone thing. I guess it's possible.


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:30 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:54 am
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Location: Alabama, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Tennessee seasonally
Hey Dave - another "solution" is to remove the G string all together and let the Rhythm Guitarist in the group play that range...LOL... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just think - with the G string removed, you can use that area to store bungee cords that normally hold your stage equipment boxes shut.

:wink:

"P-L"

===============


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 5:49 am
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Thank You brotherdave, it seems a practical and effective remedy!
I’ll take one (well…. I’ll ask to the local dealer…) and evaluate.
Whatever the result will be, I’m surprised to verify that a regular product (the fat finger,in this case) must be used to correct a flaw in the design of an instrument – it is a sort of “to make official” the flaw itself! (?)
It would be reasonable on a first prototype of the instrument, a bit less after 50 years (IMHO).

I'll try this gadget and I will post my evaluation!

@stroker vance: Yes, I agree with you.....
In my experience I have found some exception, but usually that rule is verified.
:roll:


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:49 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:04 pm
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Location: Lititz, PA
I know dead spots are common but dead zones...I don't know.
From my experience, there is usually a note near the fifth fret of the G string that doesn't have much sustain. But frets 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8? That doesn't sound like a common problem to me.


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:36 pm
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Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 1:19 pm
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I have an Alembic 5 string with incredible tone throughout. No dead spots anywhere. But its like wearing an anchor around your neck. It's that heavy.


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Post subject: Re: Dead......ZONE!
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:53 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:08 pm
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Those Schaller tuners Fender was using up until 2008 sure helped solve dead spots...


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