Dead notes on 13th fret

[stanleywolf]

Hi, I have just finished my 6th Gore falcate style SS guitar - 12 frets to the body. All the previous ones have sounded excellent - as does #6. However it has several notes fretted on the 13th fret that are very muted: C, G#, D#, A#. Other notes above the 12th fret sound fine as do those same notes played elsewhere on the fingerboard. Any ideas for what might be going on???

[Valben]

I guess the fret is loose, you may need to glue it in place. Tap with something hard (but not to hard so you don't damage the fret) and see if it sounds different that the other frets. A loose fret will have a dead sound compared to a properly seated fret.
Cheers
V.

[kiwigeo]

Loosen off some tension from the strings and see if problem still there. If so then I'd be looking at fret issues.

[stanleywolf]

Thanks for the input. I loosened the strings a tone and the problem persists. I also tried hammering the fret down but no change. I’m going to take the fret out, clean the slot and replace it. Hope that works!

[Dave M]

Stanley the guitar looks very smart. I suppose it would be a bit cheap to talk about wolf notes!

Anyway do let us know how you solve the problem.

Cheers Dave

[ozziebluesman]

Hi Stanley,
Did you use carbon fiber stiffeners in the neck?
That may be the issue if you haven't.
Cheers
Alan

[Blackstar1099]

I hope I'm not sounding condescending here but you did try and the hammer the 14th fret down, not the 13th? Have you tried a fret rocker or anything flat than can span 3 frets to confirm a high fret?

[kiwigeo]

It's my understanding a wolf tone would generally sound a bit louder than surrounding notes.

A few things to try:

1) damp other strings when plucking one of the offending strings.

2) I assume you've got the T nuts fitted to inside of the ribs...you could try fixing some weights to same to change top frequencies. Alternately try some blue tack stuck to the top in various locations.

Stanley the guitar looks very smart. I suppose it would be a bit cheap to talk about wolf notes!

Anyway do let us know how you solve the problem.

Cheers Dave

[Dave M]

I don't know. You work up a little joke and nobody notices!

[kiwigeo]

LOL..unfortunately when you build a highly responsive guitar you often also build an instrument that's often more prone to wolf tones and other similar issues.

I've just finished a falcate braced classical that has some nasty metally loud sounds happening around b/b flat.

I don't know. You work up a little joke and nobody notices!

[stanleywolf]

Hi all, Thanks for the suggestions. I removed the 13th fret and reinstalled a new one using gel super glue to lock it in place. The dead notes are now gone. It sounds great up and down the entire fretboard!!

[kiwigeo]

Well that was a bit too easy. Good to hear you've solved the issues.

Hi all, Thanks for the suggestions. I removed the 13th fret and reinstalled a new one using gel super glue to lock it in place. The dead notes are now gone. It sounds great up and down the entire fretboard!!