I need your help on my tone...

lkngro · #1 06-01-2010, 05:17 PM

I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, so don't get mad at me.

I have a MIM P-Bass (2006? It has a 60th anniversary logo on the back of the headstock) for 3 years and an Acoustic B100 that I've had for about a year and a half. The problem is that the setup I have is way too bright and top-heavy, and I want to have a less agressive tone, but still be noticed. Sort of a felt-not-heard type of thing. How can I do this without just turning into thunder? More like a Stefan Lessard type of tone, rather than, say, Flea.

Also, and this is probably related, the output jack on my bass has some issues. When the screws on the pickguard are nice and snug (as they should be), it cuts some of the top end and becomes muffled. In other words, if there is pressure on the jack, there is a loss of the top end.

Thanks guys,

Luke

JimmyM · #2 06-01-2010, 05:26 PM

can't answer the second question but i can answer the first. turn off the tweeter or cut all treble past 5k.

lkngro · #3 06-01-2010, 05:41 PM

The B100 doesn't have a tweeter and it just as a 4 band EQ. Low, Low Mid, High Mid, High

markkoelsch · #4 06-01-2010, 05:53 PM

Turn the highs and high mids down/off. Turn the tone on the bass down. Move your right hand more towards the neck. Try flatwounds.

paganjack · #5 06-01-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markkoelsch

Turn the highs and high mids down/off. Turn the tone on the bass down. Try flatwounds.

This.

PastorofMuppets · #6 06-01-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paganjack

This.

word thats your play

playa

pfschim · #7 06-01-2010, 06:31 PM

well, as far as the tone statements made above, I'd agree with those. But you may have some issue with the wires on the internal contact for the jack receiver on your bass.

when you say :

Quote:

In other words, if there is pressure on the jack, there is a loss of the top end.

this would lead me to wonder if something inside the control cavity is interfering with the jack contacts. Open it up and see if you can see anything that looks like that; kinking or fraying of the wires that lead to the jack receiver inside the cavity - things like that.

I have never heard of pressure on the jack having an impact on highs specifically. If anything, you would expect it to just cut out, or be "scratchy" sounding.

my advice - aside from adjusting the tone controls on the amp - is to check the wiring in your bass.

good luck

lkngro · #8 06-01-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

well, as far as the tone statements made above, I'd agree with those. But you may have some issue with the wires on the internal contact for the jack receiver on your bass.

when you say :

this would lead me to wonder if something inside the control cavity is interfering with the jack contacts. Open it up and see if you can see anything that looks like that; kinking or fraying of the wires that lead to the jack receiver inside the cavity - things like that.

I have never heard of pressure on the jack having an impact on highs specifically. If anything, you would expect it to just cut out, or be "scratchy" sounding.

my advice - aside from adjusting the tone controls on the amp - is to check the wiring in your bass.

good luck

Well if I wiggle the jack around, it does get scratchy and sometimes I can get the top end to come back, but it usually goes away. I cracked it open and re-soldered the joints, in case that was the problem, but it just stayed the same. As as far as fraying wires, etc., there are none.

It seems like the jack is too big for the cavity, and it's getting pushed up against the body. The pressure seems to be knocking something out of place and killing the top end.

fourfinger · #9 06-01-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markkoelsch

... Try flatwounds.

+1

christianharger · #10 06-01-2010, 07:17 PM

Definitely try flatwounds.

Craig_S · #11 06-01-2010, 07:26 PM

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Learn to use the tone controls on your amp.

Start FLAT and work from there. No science involved, really...

I don't have a good answer for your jack issue, without looking at it.

johnboy65 · #12 06-01-2010, 07:30 PM

Take the bass to a repair shop and have them look at the jack.

I played Halfrounds for a while and while they aren't my thing; they gave me a flatwounds-ish sound without cutting too much of the high end I'm looking for.

I can't believe that I'm suggesting this (because I love passive P's) but you might want to look into active P/U for that Stefen sound.

I also feel that 15's can be a little bright when pushed.

johnk_10 · #13 06-01-2010, 08:04 PM

first repair your bass.

IMO, there's no way that a jack is causing your bass to lose highs. the problem definitely lies elsewhere. take the pickguard off of it, and take some pics and post them and maybe we could see the problem. or try testing it with the pickguard off laying right next to the bass. 1/4" jacks are one of three things: working, not working, or intermittent (dirty, shorting out or going 'open due to poor soldering or loose wiring). there's only two connections so it really couldn't be much simpler.