Dead Notes on Fretboard

[stilwel]

I just got my LP back from getting a full refret and new bone nut.

Before the refret I had a dead note at 11th fret G-string. I was disappointed to see the same thing after the refret.

If I detune the string a half step the dead note (Gb) moves up to 12th fret. So it’s not a fret problem. It’s a resonance problem

If I hold the headstock against the wall it sustains as expected.

Guitar plays and feels great otherwise.

What to do?

 

[Norton]

I’ve read about some high end bass builders who have addressed that issue at the headstock. They were talking about tuning machines...adding mass. Changing the Shape etc.

Otherwise you’re looking at changing the bridge or tailpiece.

 

[ARandall]

Does the same note die on the surrounding strings too??

 

[jvin248]

.

put a fret rocker on there across three frets, credit card will work too. See what you've got going on.

The movement from fret to fret when detuning may just be altering the neck flex just enough to skip.

.

 

[Daniels Guitars]

What about adjusting relief too just to see what happens

 

[Roxy13]

I would check the relief first.

And then check the bridge. If it's starting to collapse it is usually G and/or D that start fretting out.

And lastly if the above don't solve it, check the frets with a fret rocker of some kind to be certain they are level (you will need the neck straight first to do this).

 

[LPaddicted]

I just got my 1978 LP Special DC back from getting a full refret (Jescar 47104) and new bone nut.

Before the refret I had a dead note at 11th fret G-string. I was disappointed to see the same thing after the refret.

If I detune the string a half step the dead note (Gb) moves up to 12th fret. So it’s not a fret problem. It’s a resonance problem

If I hold the headstock against the wall it sustains as expected.

Guitar plays and feels great otherwise.

What to do?

I had once a beautiful DC Standard but with dead notes...
Was impossible to solve the problem, have sold it.
Don’t know why but many DC have dead notes (even Gary Moore had the problem).

 

[stilwel]

Does the same note die on the surrounding strings too??

Yeah, same note on D string also fades quickly. It’s definitely not a fret problem.

Might try some locking tuners to see if adding mass to headstock helps.

 

[ARandall]

Thats really the only hope.....also maybe see if the trussrod can be adjusted slightly (tighten??). Any of these mass/tension related changes could just liven the dampening effect at that frequency.

 

[ekim]

I had the same issue with a prs McCarty. Try a capo or 2 clamped on the headstock and see if it gets better. I fixed mine with locking tuners and made a brass truss rod cover. Still wasnt perfect, but it definitely helped

 

[Roxy13]

Since the D is doing it too, you really should check the bridge. Here is one of mine that has a pretty bad collapse. Use a straight edge of some kind like I am showing in the pic. Sorry it's a bad pic, my previous phone camera was awful. But, you can definitely see how much daylight is showing underneath! It's not even close to straight anymore.

 

[Roxy13]

But, similar symptoms. All of a sudden my G and D strings started fretting out in spots between the 12th fret and end of the fretboard. I wasn't sure at first what the cause was. I was worried about "Gibson hump" but then when I looked at the bridge mine was such a bad collapse I could see it with my eyes. The straight edge was just the confirmation. New bridge, all good.

 

[ARandall]

^ his is the d-string, but hitting the same frequency (note) only.

 

[Freddy G]

I had once a beautiful DC Standard but with dead notes...
Was impossible to solve the problem, have sold it.
Don’t know why but many DC have dead notes (even Gary Moore had the problem).

Long neck shaft, the thinner the profile the more potential for harmonic nodes that can have a cancelling effect.

 

[fretman_2]

Makes a lot of sense, but what's considered to be long in this case?

Long neck shaft, the thinner the profile the more potential for harmonic nodes that can have a cancelling effect.

 

[edro]

I've read of folks using the Fender clamp to add mass and correct some black holes...

I knew I should a bought up some of the GT Fat Heads...

 

[Freddy G]

Makes a lot of sense, but what's considered to be long in this case?

Long? A DC neck, an SG neck. These necks attach at the 22nd fret. That's a long neck shaft compared to a Les Paul which attaches at the 16th or even a strat.

 

[ARandall]

I imagine unsupported length vs glued area (or bolted area for Fender) would play a part. The 58 V would most likely have some possibility there, although the tenon is actually quite long in that case.

 

[fretman_2]

Ahh...gotcha!!

Long? A DC neck, an SG neck. These necks attach at the 22nd fret. That's a long neck shaft compared to a Les Paul which attaches at the 16th or even a strat.

 

[Diego Littlelion]

I just got my LP back from getting a full refret and new bone nut.

Before the refret I had a dead note at 11th fret G-string. I was disappointed to see the same thing after the refret.

If I detune the string a half step the dead note (Gb) moves up to 12th fret. So it’s not a fret problem. It’s a resonance problem

If I hold the headstock against the wall it sustains as expected.

Guitar plays and feels great otherwise.

What to do?

I know the thread is dead, but if someone see that...how you fixed it? i have the same problem with 2 guitars! if i I hold the headstock against the wall i works fine, like you. I need your help.