EQ-ing the cab????

[PATTY1]

does anybody do this?? my SWR amp manual says to set the low parametric eq to full and then rotate the freq knob until the low E string is heard at its loudest point, to find the best freq response of the cabinet for the low E string, and then adjust the level as required, and repeat this for the other three strings to acheive your cabinets optimum response ????? i always picked 40, 250, 800, and 1.5 and just adjusted my levels so i could hear all parts of my fretboard, now i'm confused ??

[GrowlerBox]

Yes. The fundamental frequencies of open strings are a small part of what your bass produces, and ignore the cabinet and the room it's in.

Here's a fascinating thread just on what the bass produces: Bass frequency/waterfall plots: what they mean to rigs

I tend to use the same principle described in your manual to cut problem frequencies as much as to shape the overall tone.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by PATTY1

does anybody do this??

I certainly don't. That advise is bizarre.

[greenboy]

And not so practical. Would take ages, and then you find out that the particular bass is not adjusted well as regards strings and pickups, and that the cab can't handle what you EQ'd in ANYWAY, once you are at gigging levels.

[Zooberwerx]

Sounds like the typical parametric boost 'n sweep but I tend to move in the opposite direction: when I find a glaringly loud unpleasant "bump", I attenuate as necessary to regain balance. Depending your rig and personal tastes, you can boost certain areas to accentuate definition / presence but this practice is not based on volume as described.

Riis

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by greenboy

And not so practical. Would take ages, and then you find out that the particular bass is not adjusted well as regards strings and pickups, and that the cab can't handle what you EQ'd in ANYWAY, once you are at gigging levels.

And then there is the whole EQ'ing for each individual room you play in.

I see threads on here all the time asking people to post their EQ settings. It serves no purpose whatsoever. Whatever tone you like and set your amp for may not work in the next room you play in.

Every room has it's own quirky way of handling bass frequencies. Adjusting your EQ to your cabinet is meaningless unless put into the context of the room that cabinet is sitting in.

Just to put it out there...What's my favorite EQ setting and what should you adjust your EQ for? Whatever tone you like and how that fits in whatever room you are playing in.