Bass is Frustrating me!!

rydin4lifebass · #1 04-13-2011, 06:51 AM

I have an Ibanez SRX300 which I bought about a year ago because I loved the sound of it at the store but I haven't played it much because I couldn't get the sound I wanted at home. It came with Elixers, and I've since had GHS Boomers and DR's..all roundwounds on it. I just recently had a nice setn of Fender Tapewounds on it and the sound is closer and it plays like a dream, real smoot and slides wonderfully, yet the sound is still kinda "hollow" and now that low "boom boom" that I'm looking for. I have the treble down and bass turned up and EQ'd boosting lows and low mids and dropping treble. I'm playing out of a Hartke A70 with a 70W 12". Would a 15" help me get the depth I'm seeking? Other thoughts? Also..I like the sound much better when I'm plugged into the Passive input on the amp as opposed to the Active input...any danger in that? I'm only on a volume of 2-4, not near the 10 limit (mine doesn't go to 11 unfortunately)...

JDeewond · #2 04-13-2011, 06:52 AM

Quick question. Do you remember what amp you played through at the stoe when you bought it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

I have an Ibanez SRX300 which I bought about a year ago because I loved the sound of it at the store but I haven't played it much because I couldn't get the sound I wanted at home. It came with Elixers, and I've since had GHS Boomers and DR's..all roundwounds on it. I just recently had a nice setn of Fender Tapewounds on it and the sound is closer and it plays like a dream, real smoot and slides wonderfully, yet the sound is still kinda "hollow" and now that low "boom boom" that I'm looking for. I have the treble down and bass turned up and EQ'd boosting lows and low mids and dropping treble. I'm playing out of a Hartke A70 with a 70W 12". Would a 15" help me get the depth I'm seeking? Other thoughts?

rydin4lifebass · #3 04-13-2011, 07:01 AM

I'm not 100% sure..but I belive it was a Fender 50W 15"...I played an ESP through it the other day and it's usually the one the store uses to test stuff out, so i believe it was the same..or will that type of bass just not give me what I want? I mean, I play my p-bass through my hartke and love it?

rydin4lifebass · #4 04-13-2011, 07:30 AM

Was this moved? I meant to post under the "Bass" forum, not under amps..It was really a question about the bass I'm using, not the amp specifically

Vakmere · #5 04-13-2011, 07:42 AM

The SRX300 bass is on the low end of good sound however even if I plug my Smith into a 70w 12" amp it's going to sound blaaaa especially when I want to crank it up. Perhaps stepping up to a better rig will get the sound you're trying to hear. This also questions what you can afford to buy to get there. The last sound grear bass I had sounded great in the store and like crap at home. Those MK1 pickups dont help either. Returned the bass and went for better from then on.

rydin4lifebass · #6 04-13-2011, 08:02 AM

I don't have a lot of money to spend..if I were to trade in my amp towards a new one, I could probably step up to a 15...but would I still have the same problem with my bass, or am I better off getting a different bass. I just heard a guy playing the sound I want but he's using a 15" Fender at like 300W from a Peavey Cirrus....well above my budget.

rtslinger · #7 04-13-2011, 08:10 AM

I have a amp with a 12" speaker and that is the case they do not give you the bottom you are looking for. Try out an amp with a 15" you will be much happier. I used a Fender Rumble 100 for smaller gigs when I was using a stage amp and it gives you plenty of bottom no matter what bass I was using. good luck

arsie · #8 04-13-2011, 09:29 AM

Yup, looks like the thread was moved.

I reckon you need to have 2x10, 2x12 or 1x15 before you get the depth you hear from professionally recorded bass tracks. Smaller practice amps just don't give you that.

rydin4lifebass · #9 04-13-2011, 10:00 AM

Well, I guess its encouraging that I can still keep the bass and maybe go with a different amp set up. I do love the way the ibanez plays, sooo smooth! But I'm still playing in a smaller room (my office) and I'm not in a band, although thats the goal at some point. I don't need (nor can afford) something huge, but if I looked at a combo amp with 1 15", what how many watts should I look at?

Wes Whitmore · #10 04-13-2011, 10:16 AM

I have that bass on loan with my church. I used roundwounds, usually ernie balls. Its a good sounded inexpensive bass. You liked it at one time, so work with it. They do come with elixers on it, but those strings could have been somewhere between brand new to dull when you bought it. Just take that bass back into the store and try it on a bunch of different amps/combos. You sound like you like a really scooped sound, or are just searching for a particular sound and can't achieve it with 2 tone knobs. I think at this point, just experiment with other stuff out there and try to find something that makes you happier.

rydin4lifebass · #11 04-13-2011, 10:27 AM

I have a 7-band EQ on the amp so I more-or-less have it looking like this "\"..not quite as dramatic..but treble is way down with bass and low mids up. The strings on it now (Fender Nylon Tapewounds) are definitly the closest to what I'm looking for out of all the strings I've used. I just hate to spend a lot of money on a different amp when the one I have sounds ok with my other bass (a cheap Precision)..but I guess the Precision would also sound better on a bigger amp too...when you say experience with other stuff, you mean new bass or new amps?

BassBob1 · #12 04-13-2011, 10:35 AM

This may not help but try messing around with different eq settings. Boosting the low frequencies and cutting the higher ones won't necessarily give you that big bottom end you are looking for. It may only give you a muddy sound. Certainly in a mix that type of eq curve would have me buried and inaudible.

Vakmere · #13 04-13-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsie

I reckon you need to have 2x10, 2x12 or 1x15 before you get the depth you hear from professionally recorded bass tracks. Smaller practice amps just don't give you that.

^ This ^. If you're not in a band but want more definition in your sound then you'll have to buy a better rig. Someday you'll get in a band. What works for me? A Shuttle 6.0 and an Avatar 2x10. I also have a 2x12 that works with the 6.0 for other stuff. Simple, clean, lots of tonal shapes.

Wes Whitmore · #14 04-13-2011, 10:43 AM

So did it sound bad the day you brought it home and plugged it into your amp?

rydin4lifebass · #15 04-13-2011, 11:02 AM

It didn't sound like it did in the store, but I tried different strings on it to get back to what I heard before...again, the nylons have a "thud" sound to them but not exactly what I want. It sounds like the bass would be just fine for the application I'm looking for but the amp is what's limiting me..least it sounds like thats what you're all thikning. might be a stupid question, but if the 12 isn't "deep" enough, how would 2x10 or 2x12 get me there, seems I'd need to go to a bigger speaker.

Also..the guy who's sound I'm trying to replicate is playing a 15" but wants to go to 2x18 to get the "thump" he wants, so I guess its all relative.

Bassbob--what EQ settings would you suggest for a thump like a country bass sound to it? more smile? frown???

Wes Whitmore · #16 04-13-2011, 11:15 AM

I'm sure you played the bass shortly after you bought it. The amp was different, and so was the room. Since it sounds like it never leaves the office, take the amp to another location. Take all you eq pedals out, and try to set it up close to what you did in the store. You don't have the same strings on it, and I have never tried flats, but I know how dead exilers and other roundwounds sound after they are on for a long time. Not bright, and thumpy. What strings are on you pbass now? If they are old rounds, try putting them on the 300 and see if its closer to the sound you heard in the store. Ultimately, that amp at the store is gong to sound different than your amp in a different environment, but I just want you to make sure you are investing in the right thing and not just buying an amp because it has a 15" speaker. You need to get that bass figured out, then see how it sounds on different amp. Make a couple of trips and really play with stuff. Maybe your requirements will change in the process, including what you now consider "your sound"
Wes

unclekebm · #17 04-13-2011, 11:19 AM

I would say leave the EQ flat and try to use your right hand to achieve your tone
This way you'll learn what the bass sounds like on it's own

for hefty bottom, try taking lows down and adding lower mid
I find that a slight boost around 180 - 250 Hz will give me punch and plenty of thickness

Sometimes the "hollow bottom" comes from not enough upper harmonic content
ie: scooping mids or trying do dial out harshness..

derrico1 · #18 04-13-2011, 11:27 AM

You already have some evidence that the bass is capable of getting a tone you like through the right rig. Try taking the bass to a music store and trying out some amps.

If you find one or more rigs that sound good with your bass, then you have narrowed the problem.

Alternatively, if you have a decently run shop near you, bring both your rig and bass to the store. Try your bass through different amps, and try different basses through your current rig.

Jazz Ad · #19 04-13-2011, 11:35 AM

My typical answer to these posts applies here. Stop buying stuff.
Plug the bass in the amp, turn it on, set all EQs flat and play, again and again, for hours if needed, until you like the tone your hear.

rtslinger · #20 04-13-2011, 11:36 AM

I purchased the Fender Rumble 100 and it sounded great right out of the box! I am very please with it.We play Classic Rock, Blues and Southern Rock as well as some Metal stuff It'll cover small room shows 150-200 best. You will need more watts if you are going to be playing larger places than that. It has some really helpful feature these are the specs.
Model Rumble 100 1x15 Bass Combo Amplifier
Series Rumble Series
Tubes No
Controls Passive/Active Switch, Mid Scoop Button, Volume, EQ, CD Input, Effects Loop
Other Features 100 watt output at 4 ohms, also includes one high-frequency piezo horn
# of Speakers 1
Speaker Size 15"
Channels 1
Effects No
Covering Black Carpet with Black Metal Grille
Footswitch Included No
Product Weight 60
Dimensions 13 x 21 x 25