Punk Amp Settings

[ODDBALL]

Hello All,

I really want to get into playing Punk. At the moment my current setup is:
Lakland 55-02
Peavey Bam 210 with an A/B switch to a Peavey 115 combo. There are a few good benifits to useing them together. So what types of EQing should I use.

Thanks for the help.

Shaun

[megadan]

Good question.
I guess for a lot of punk you'd want to cut the bass, crank the mids... Treble to taste.

Depends on the style and sound you're going for.
Also depending on how dirty your rig is, a good OD pedal might be useful.

[SirGrotius]

I'd echo the above. Mids are king for punk, as you really want to get that grungy, clanky sound and stand out in the mix.

I'd keep the treble very high as well, and if there's a "brightness" switch hit it.

Remember to play with a pick and wear your bass low.

[Nashrakh]

Yeah. Totally depends.

Your average bass sound in bubblegum punk is new set of SS strings, pick, Precision bass, Ampeg SVT with 8x10, lots of clank.

[powellmacaque]

First, OP, define punk. Not in an elitist way, but there are quite a few punk tones out there.

[Swampman Cory]

^^^ Yeah, homie. What you really wanna do is mess around until you find a sound that fits the music you're playing. Punk is a wide genre, and people use all sorts of tones. Listen to the guys you're going after, and adjust accordingly. You obviously own quality gear, so you just gotta pick how you want to use it.

[ryognbass]

I vote scoop low mids, boost high mids, boost ultra highs, and get some bottom in there. but never forget to pickslam that sucker

[becker4567]

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

First, OP, define punk. Not in an elitist way, but there are quite a few punk tones out there.

Exactly! Early punk (the only original, true punk) or some of the newer, bubblegum, faux punk?

[powellmacaque]

Originally Posted by ryognbass

I vote scoop low mids, boost high mids, boost ultra highs, and get some bottom in there. but never forget to pickslam that sucker

Haha case and point. I do the exact opposite on my amp. I NEVER scoop mids, I always boost low mids and bass, run high mids flat, and run treble a hair cut. I also tend to run my "boost" or "gain" (whatever the preamp volume is, if you have one) on the higher end and use my post-volume to adjust my actual volume. Everybody's got their own view on what punk is. Then again I use GK.

With those settings, I get some grind, some clarity, and some boom. Think Matt Freeman on ... And Out Come the Wolves mixed with Joe Principe of Rise Against on The Unraveling.

If you're looking for a Fat Mike tone (which is also a great tone, just not what I play), then DEFINITELY cut out mids and boost bass and treble as much as possible. Oh, and playing Danelectros will help too .

[maevinj]

and a Lakland 55-02 isn't very punk..

[Swampman Cory]

Originally Posted by maevinj

and a Lakland 55-02 isn't very punk..

I will say, however, if you don't feel that you have enough 'clack', boost them highs.

Speaking of punk, I saw The Suicide Machines on Saturday...

[powellmacaque]

Originally Posted by Swampman Cory

I will say, however, if you don't feel that you have enough 'clack', boost them highs.

Speaking of punk, I saw The Suicide Machines on Saturday...

Ok, why didn't I get the memo that they're back together?

[Breslin dp]

Punk is whatever you make it to be. I am an old school punk musician and I always did things my own way. Listen to groups like the Minute Men, Fear, Fugazi or many other punk bassists out there that have there own bass sound. I always said that punk comes from your attitude play every note like it's your last note. Don't water it down and don't go all emo. Play the bass for you and you first. There are no rules for punk bassists some stay in the pocket and some well....look at Mike Watt or Flea.

[JoZac21]

Punk? Tone?

???


Turn the damned thing on! (kids )

[Sound Chaser]

11.

[recreate.me]

Hey guys, i play in a punk rock/folk punk band right now, and it really depends on the type of punk you play. Lots of 'punk' is that super clear, crystal sound that you get by playing through 10" speakers (i have tried a 15" but the freq response isnt high enough and its not fast enough) with no distortion. The EQs don't matter much as long as its really clear sounding. I use a Squier VM Jazz bass, through a Traynor YBA-3 custom special, and an Ampeg 8x10.

Treble - 6/7,
Treble Expander -8/9
Bass - 5/6
Bass Expander 6/7
Presence - 7

Gets a great growl and a super clear clanky sound, for the OD/fuzz i turn down the trebles a bit to get that loose OD sound instead of the static like type..

Its really up to you, i would stay away from 15"s for punk though, they are to slow and muddy.
10"s and a really clean amp, or mild OD when called for.
Go listen to some old punk songs from the 90's like Maxwell Murder and AFI's- Very Proud of Ya... and get to the experimenting!

[sonic assassin]

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

Haha case and point. I do the exact opposite on my amp. I NEVER scoop mids, I always boost low mids and bass, run high mids flat, and run treble a hair cut. I also tend to run my "boost" or "gain" (whatever the preamp volume is, if you have one) on the higher end and use my post-volume to adjust my actual volume. Everybody's got their own view on what punk is. Then again I use GK.

With those settings, I get some grind, some clarity, and some boom. Think Matt Freeman on ... And Out Come the Wolves mixed with Joe Principe of Rise Against on The Unraveling.

rise against is clearly scooped in the mid/low-mid area and bumped in the high mids.

which is what i do. push the gain as far as it'll go without farting out.

steel strings and a heavy pick

[sonic assassin]

Originally Posted by maevinj

and a Lakland 55-02 isn't very punk..

it really isnt. a stingray is pretty new school punk, but ive never seen anyone with a mohawk and a lakland. it could very well do the job though

[Breslin dp]

Mr Fisher from Fishbone plays a Warwick with a Mohawk. I played a Pedulla Thunderbass with a mohawk.

[becker4567]

Originally Posted by JoZac21

Punk? Tone?

???


Turn the damned thing on! (kids )

EQ? We don't need no stinkin EQ! Old bass, old strings, old pick, and play it like you hate it. It's punk for gods sake, not disco!.....kids......