Need Help Quick- Jazz Tone for GK MB115

mtshark · #1 10-09-2011, 04:10 PM

I've got an an audition for a high school honor jazz band tomorrow, and I am awful at EQing. People are constantly telling me "EQ your electric like an upright" but the problem is I don't know how to do that. All I know is that there's not supposed to be a lot of lows, and I also know my 15" speaker won't help that. Also, I've only got the neck pickup on my Fender Jazz to work with, since the bridge died and I haven't had time to get a new one. Help?

RTomsett · #2 10-09-2011, 05:00 PM

Keep the horn off and the boost knob low. Drive to the left of 12 o'clock somewhere. I'd probably keep the other knobs around the middle and see what things sound like there, maybe roll the top off a bit depending on how it's coming out.

I am proud of how much innuendo went into that. And that. Hah!

fdeck · #3 10-09-2011, 05:16 PM

Cut the lows and raise the two mid knobs. No boost. Put "like an upright" out of your head -- the goal should simply be a clear, articulate tone. Neck pickup should be fine.

If you've got it together, the teacher will overlook any amplification issues.

**B-string** · #4 10-09-2011, 05:18 PM

Play more on the neck than right above the pickup. Stay a long way away from the bridge. From there start playing with the EQ, they turn and will turn back if you don't like the sound.

RTomsett · #5 10-09-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

Play more on the neck than right above the pickup. Stay a long way away from the bridge

Oh yeah, that's also a good point

wcriley · #6 10-09-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtshark

Also, I've only got the neck pickup on my Fender Jazz to work with, since the bridge died and I haven't had time to get a new one. Help?

Slightly off topic, but it's VERY unlikely that the pickup "died". Probably just a bad connection under the control plate. Get it checked out before replacing it.

mtshark · #7 10-09-2011, 06:07 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcriley

Slightly off topic, but it's VERY unlikely that the pickup "died". Probably just a bad connection under the control plate. Get it checked out before replacing it.

Oh yes, it's dead, or something is very wrong. I've had it checked out twice and nothing has come of it. Plus it's a MIM Fender, and I know I could get some better pickups in there anyways.

**B-string** · #8 10-09-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtshark

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Oh yes, it's dead, or something is very wrong. I've had it checked out twice and nothing has come of it. Plus it's a MIM Fender, and I know I could get some better pickups in there anyways.

+1 the MIM pickups were the first to get tossed from my MIM Jazz.

SpruceApple · #9 10-09-2011, 06:28 PM

To get a tone more like an upright, try to palm mute each note to deaden the tone and sustain. Also, try playing with some foam/sponge under the strings near the bridge. And definitely play up toward the neck as previously suggested, neck pickup only with the tone rolled off a bit.
Have fun, don't be nervous!