JTEX
Well-known member
I might have (re)discovered the secret of sustain in basses: a stiff headstock that cannot move/vibrate sympathetically with the strings and suck the energy right out of them. Was bored at the office today, so I reinforced the back of my thin, noodly headstock with a piece of aluminum, roughly 1/8" (3mm-ish) thick (formerly a Mac Pro door, BTW). BIG difference in sustain, and much less prominent dead notes on the G string. You can feel it right away in your fingers as you play: the neck vibrates significantly less, so more energy stays in the strings. You should try it some day!
Downside: more neck dive, of course.
Downside: more neck dive, of course.