Too boomy

[onecoolone]

Hey Thumpers,

I play a 72 P Bass (love it) though a GK1001RB and a NEO410 cab w/ the bi-amp stuff going on. I am wondering if any of you can recommend a solution to my issue. I think my sound is too boomy when I'm down on the low end. I want more punch down low, and just seem to get distortion.

Is there a pickup height or setup I should be trying. I've tried all sorts of EQ settings and just can't get that magic I am trying for.

Goal: Punky kidney stone shattering punch down low!

Mike.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by onecoolone

Hey Thumpers,

I play a 72 P Bass (love it) though a GK1001RB and a NEO410 cab w/ the bi-amp stuff going on. I am wondering if any of you can recommend a solution to my issue. I think my sound is too boomy when I'm down on the low end. I want more punch down low, and just seem to get distortion.

Is there a pickup height or setup I should be trying. I've tried all sorts of EQ settings and just can't get that magic I am trying for.

Goal: Punky kidney stone shattering punch down low!

Mike.

Show your EQ settings. If you boosted the lowest band, expecting to get punch, put them all in the middle and try that. Boosting the lowest band only gets you more rumble, not punch. Punch is in the 40-80Hz range.

[AmadeusXeno]

Turn your bass knob down some and turn the mids up a bit. That should help get you where you want.

[staindbass]

if its boomy your boosting frequencies above the low end. boosting 100hz-200hz can make it boomy. if you boost 40 hz, 50hz, 63 hz it will never get boomy no matter how much you boost. it just gets heavier in the bass you feel, not hear. the bass controls frequency may be too high for your tastes.

[PotsdamBass8]

If the 5-string button is pushed in, push it out. That might help.

[tsverrir]

You might wanna try a different set of strings. Strings have a lot to say about the sound you're getting.

[dhomer]

If you're looking for bass u can feel, you might be playing the wrong cab.. I also agree cut 100-250 Hz..

[scottfeldstein]

I run my GK head thusly:

bass: 10 o'clock
low mids: 2 o'clock
high mids: 2 o'clock
highs: 10 o'clock

I find that to be about flat to my ear. Even with my cab horns turned down to 10 o'clock. Running the bass setting above 10 o'clock results in a colon-twisting reggae tone--not my thing.

This is true whether playing through my Neo 212 or my 410 MBX.

[mattbass6945]

i'm the kind of guy who will completely take apart an engine before i realize it's just outta gas.....is your tone knob turnedtowards the neck? playing with a pick (sacrilige to some) will also give you more bite. hmmmm......that's all i got for now.

[scottfeldstein]

Nothing wrong with using a pick. Also, you could use just the bridge pickup and aggressively finger right over it. That gives a nice middy tone that cuts through anything. Very Jaco.

[testing1two]

I suggest something like an SFX Thumpinator to roll off the ultra-low frequency energy (stuff below 30Hz) that makes your power amp and speakers work harder than they need to. This will decrease the distortion in the bottom end.

Check this out: [sfx] micro-Thumpinator - YouTube

[dannylectro]

I use a GK400RB. Not really familiar with yours but I do get a big, thick, clear sound by setting my controls thusly:
Bass 2 o'clock
Lo Mid 11 o'clock
Hi Mid flat
Treble 2 o'clock

Also, I set the contour buttons:
Lo Cut out
Mid Contour in
Hi Boost out

This is for a '73 P bass with old EMG active PUPs & flats. For a more sparkly sound I'll push the Hi Boost switch in.

Hope that helps.

[will33]

Originally Posted by dannylectro

I use a GK400RB. Not really familiar with yours but I do get a big, thick, clear sound by setting my controls thusly:
Bass 2 o'clock
Lo Mid 11 o'clock
Hi Mid flat
Treble 2 o'clockooo

Also, I set the contour buttons:
Lo Cut out
Mid Contour in
Hi Boost out

This is for a '73 P bass with old EMG active PUPs & flats. For a more sparkly sound I'll push the Hi Boost switch in.
o
Hope that helps.

On the 400rb, as well as the 800rb, your frequency centers are roughly 60, 250, 1000, and 4000. From your settings, push the mid shift button so it is out, "no effect", put all knobs at noon, add lowmid and highmid as needed, or cut them a bit. Shouldn't need more than a slight bump on those, a little eq goes a long way on these things. Drop the bass knob to 11:00 if you need to accentuate more mid punch. Set boost knob and treble to taste for growl and highend.

I think your biggest problem is having the mid scoop button pushed in and trying to make up for it with bass. The new settings may sound a little mid grindy up close but get out away from the band and see how they sit.