peterleroux wrote: I love my Squier Jazz bass, but it has a dead spot on the fifth-fret C on the G string. Lately I've found that if I fret the octave below at the same time (A string third fret) and play the high C, the sympathetic resonance on the low C 'supports' the high note and adds sustain back to the note. Worth a try if you've got a four string with this (pretty common) problem.

Is this not just caused by uneven frets??

Chabenda might be suggesting his bush levelling block

peterleroux wrote: I love my Squier Jazz bass, but it has a dead spot on the fifth-fret C on the G string. Lately I've found that if I fret the octave below at the same time (A string third fret) and play the high C, the sympathetic resonance on the low C 'supports' the high note and adds sustain back to the note. Worth a try if you've got a four string with this (pretty common) problem.

I'm used to a fair amount of fret buzz on my 4-stringer, due to a super low action (for a bass) - but there arn't any dead spots...Is this a Squire/Jazz bass common issue?

5th-7th fret dead spot on the G string is a common complaint on Precision and Jazz basses- and distinct from fretting out. It's not universal, but common, even on high-end bolt-on basses

peterleroux wrote: 5th-7th fret dead spot on the G string is a common complaint on Precision and Jazz basses- and distinct from fretting out. It's not universal, but common, even on high-end bolt-on basses

Ahh okay, I've a Hohner "The Jack" (Thru neck). Not really noticed it on other bolt on 4 stringers, but I very rarely play fenders - mostly Ibby's & Corts. Now that I'm listening for it, I'll probably hear it all the time :?

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: Chabenda might be suggesting his bush levelling block

Cheeky bugger ?

'Tis true though, a quick fret dress could make a real difference.

My 2 cents worth...

Years ago I had a Rickenbacker 4001 bass - they were almost double the price of a Fender then - and it had dead notes on the D string around Ab, A & Bb. No matter what strings or sound I used, it remained. An "expert" removed some wood from the headstock and replaced it with a different wood type. In the end the dead notes just moved elsewhere on the neck. The shop eventually got me another perfect Ricky as there was no way to get around those dreadful non-sustaining notes!

Fender makes a gadget called a Fatfinger which you clamp onto the headstock, but I have read varied reviews. Maybe try a hardware store for a small G clamp and see if it works... should be similar to a Fatfinger.

Jack Flash's MIJ Fender Jazz has a drop D tuner for the E string. He tells me that the previous owner installed this not to put the string into D, but to solve the dead spot - and apparently it was very successful.

singemonkey wrote: Jack Flash's MIJ Fender Jazz has a drop D tuner for the E string. He tells me that the previous owner installed this not to put the string into D, but to solve the dead spot - and apparently it was very successful.

Changing tuners is supposedly a good option- either adding or removing weight can work. I'm keen to get an Xtender anyway so I'll find out if this works.

Just a thought. But what about the Fender Fat Finger for bass?

I have two fat fingers on different my electric guitars and just ordered another two.

They are supposed to help for dead spots based on where you position the Fat Finger on the headstock.

It looks like swapping out the E string tuner for a Hipshot Xtender has added enough mass to reduce the dead spot considerably.