Members Oldskool Texas Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 A friend's dilemma: he bought a $1500 guitar (used) and has since discovered a dead spot on the neck - I played it myself, and can confirm that the 12th fret G string has noticeably less definition and sustain. Otherwise, no complaints - great tone, nice player. He wants to sell it. Would you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PanaDP Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 A friend's dilemma: he bought a $1500 guitar (used) and has since discovered a dead spot on the neck - I played it myself, and can confirm that the 12th fret G string has noticeably less definition and sustain. Otherwise, no complaints - great tone, nice player. He wants to sell it. Would you? Chances are, it's a spot where the fret has come up a bit and that saps string energy. Before he sells it, I'd have a really good close look and see if you can find the culprit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members straycat113 Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Pana more than likely hit the nail on the head, The culprit is more than likely have to do with a problem with a fret or few and is nothing that cant be fixed. I would doubt the guitar would need a complete grind and polish(as you would see major wear on the frets) but even if it did it is only a $100 job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Busk Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 The 12h or more likely the 13th fret on the G string is usually the deadest spot on any guitar neck. You should always check this zone when buying a guitar. If this zone sings as well as the rest of the neck, it is one key element of an amazing axe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members superdistortion Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Sometimes dead spots go away. I had a guitar with one, now the dead spot is gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members golias Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Is it a bolt-on neck? Because sometimes people will "fix" the neck angle by shimming a neck too far, and no amount of tweaking the truss rod will correct it, because the neck is curving back UP after the 12th fret or so. Pull the shims, lower the bridge, and adjust the action accordingly. Life will be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the_bleeding Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 most certainly would NEVER buy a guitar with a deadspot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Bear Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Did you try changing strings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doc oc Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Raise the action on that string a little til the dead spot goes away and reintonate the string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Surfdude Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 A friend's dilemma: he bought a $1500 guitar (used) and has since discovered a dead spot on the neck He wants to sell it. Would you? I have the same problem with a Fender P-bass. Played great for a couple of years and now the the A and D strings have dead spots, starting around the 5th fret. Not completely dead, just lacking the punch and volume of the other strings. If I sell it, I will have to disclose the problem and will not get squat for it. Other than that issue, it is an incredible instrument. Great intonation and stays in tune for weeks at a time. This is my #1 and I hate to see it go. Surfy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Weird. I've never played a guitar with a "dead spot" I own 30 guitars too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oldskool Texas Posted December 26, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 It's a set neck semi-hollow; frets are level and show no wear except on the 2nd and 3rd frets in the high-E and B string area. Strings have been changed several times. We held a stopwatch to it, and the B string fretted at the 12th rings more than twice as long as does the G on the same fret. The G at the 13th fret rings loud and clear, as it does on the 11th. Weird. I have a fretless bass with a dead spot at the 5th fret of the G string, which is apparently very common, but I've never played a fretted guitar with this problem. It's mysterious and frustrating, so he's ready to show it the door. I was sort of thinking about making him an offer, but now I'm not too sure I want to inherit this issue. Thanks for the help, everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doc oc Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 It's a set neck semi-hollow; frets are level and show no wear except on the 2nd and 3rd frets in the high-E and B string area. Strings have been changed several times. We held a stopwatch to it, and the B string fretted at the 12th rings more than twice as long as does the G on the same fret. The G at the 13th fret rings loud and clear, as it does on the 11th. Weird.I have a fretless bass with a dead spot at the 5th fret of the G string, which is apparently very common, but I've never played a fretted guitar with this problem. It's mysterious and frustrating, so he's ready to show it the door. I was sort of thinking about making him an offer, but now I'm not too sure I want to inherit this issue.Thanks for the help, everyone. Check the nut for binding and replace the saddle on that string. Something has to be dampening it. Also try lower the pickups a hair. Magnetic fields can dampen vibration too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PunkKitty Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Sounds like it needs a fret level and setup. Have a shop check out the condition of the frets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oldskool Texas Posted December 26, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Check the nut for binding and replace the saddle on that string. Something has to be dampening it. Also try lower the pickups a hair. Magnetic fields can dampen vibration too. The saddle or nut binding theory has merit, but I don't understand why it would only dampen the string at one fret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crunchtime Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Have you checked the neck relief? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikesr1963 Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 It's a deal breaker if I were buying, but if I already owned it I'd get it fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members McHale Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 I'd just take it in for a complete setup. For $40 that would be fixed (as well as play awesome)... -Mc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mc5nrg Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Not uncommon. Some guitars are known for this and its sort of a seal of authenticity. Try attaching something heavy to the headstock and see if the "dead spot" moves. Like that "Fat Finger" GT weight or a metal capo. Whether he should return it is his judgement but its not all the rare a situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hecticone Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Spend another 40 or 50 and get it set up. He already dropped 15 whats the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oldskool Texas Posted December 26, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 He and I are both skeptical that it's a set-up problem, but he's going to take it in. The guitar plays beautifully, and no other string or fret is affected - it's just this one spot, dead-center on the neck. The note starts off fine, but fades to zero about twice as fast as any other note played at the same position. I wonder if mentioning that it's a Gibson would change anyone's diagnosis... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mc5nrg Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Hit the g string 12th fret harmonic...if the same thing happens ,its a resonance/phase cancellation thing and just comes with the territory. If it has Kluson type tuners, putting Grovers on might change things as altering the weight of the headstock can affect/move the problem area.(or vice-versa) See previous post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Busk Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Hit the g string 12th fret harmonic...if the same thing happens ,its a resonance/phase cancellation thing and just comes with the territory. If it has Kluson type tuners, putting Grovers on might change things as altering the weight of the headstock can affect/move the problem area.(or vice-versa) See previous post. Yeah. Also, try muting the other strings while hitting that note to see if sympathetic vibrations are canceling out that note. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members McHale Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 I suggest the full setup because (at least where I get mine done), they level and polish the frets. I've never gotten a guitar back that didn't play a ton better than when I brought it in. -Mc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Virgman Posted December 26, 2009 Members Share Posted December 26, 2009 Just needs a fret polish. No biggie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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