Question about Tone and EQ settings

[justBrian]

So, I have this killer SKB 3006 and really love it. However, I'm using it in a pit for "Footloose," and am having some issues with the D, G, and C strings sounding a little thin. This is particularly apparent in 1/2 or first position, or when using them as open strings.

I'm running it through and older Eden WT400 and Eden D210XLT; the EQ section is set flat. I've tried to just make adjustments on the bass--boosting/cutting the low and high mids; rolling the treble back a bit, boosting the lows...you get the idea.

Where should I start? What frequencies should I be looking at? Thanks in advance!

[JOME77]

What preamp and p/u's are installed in the bass?

[justBrian]

Sorry--it's got the Barts.

[JOME77]

With the Bart/Bart combo you can usually pull-out the mid control and a little boost there real cut through just about anything. The only exception might be a Roscoe with a mahogany body. IMO they tend to be a bit looser sounding and have less focus in the overall tone. It sounds like that what you're missing in your situation is the right amount of upper mids though. Getting them without sounding nasal can be a bit tricky though. It would probably help if you had the Roscoe Audere pre which has 2 separate bands of Mid's (upper and lower). You can mix them and get some really nice smoother cutting tones.

You could also experiment with different strings (nickel verses stainless steel).

If you find that what you have isn't getting it done you may also want to consider swapping out the std. Roscoe Bart's for some CB Bart's. They have a more open tone and don't sound as compressed IMO.

[justBrian]

Thanks Joe. I'll give that a shot this afternoon. Were there any specific freqs for me to boost on the Eden?

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by justBrian

Thanks Joe. I'll give that a shot this afternoon. Were there any specific freqs for me to boost on the Eden?

I play my Roscoe's flat though my Eden WT-400 and adjust the tone from the bass pre. If you get a good cutting sound from the Roscoe pre but it sounds a bit nasual, you might want to zero in on the annoying freq. with the Eden Semi-Par Mid EQ and cut it some.

[justBrian]

You Rock, my Brother! I'll let you know how it works out.

[Halftooth]

Originally Posted by justBrian

I'm running it through and older Eden WT400 and Eden D210XLT; the EQ section is set flat. I've tried to just make adjustments on the bass--boosting/cutting the low and high mids; rolling the treble back a bit, boosting the lows...you get the idea.

Where should I start? What frequencies should I be looking at? Thanks in advance!

Remember that when you're playing through the Eden at flat, it's actually slightly scooped in the mids. I can't remember if it was 1 or 2 clicks of boost actually puts you at "flat." IMO, Eden and Roscoe are a perfect pairing.

Another thing you can try is using some lighter gauge strings if the B and E are a bit more pronounced.

Also, you could check the pickup heights to make sure they are at the right heights...to high on the low side will make those other strings sound thin no matter what eqing you do.

Outside of that, pretty much what Joe said is on the money.

[justBrian]

I think I got it dialed in yesterday. With the Eden set flat (I didn't know about the mid-scoop, but thanks for the tip!) I bumped first the high mids--a little too bright. Then I bumped the low mids, and rolled the treble back just a bit. That seemed to do the trick. The overall tone was much thicker and smoother. wOOt! I love this bass, man. I mean seriously.

[VroomVroom]

Excellent stuff! I have the same issue with my bass, and I can only echo the advice you've already received...and successfully tried. Right on!

[Bass Response]

I have a mahagony body with all bart electronics and love the sound. Its just what I was looking for. I play through a phil jones flightcase. Its a little bit of an old school sound. But i do like to boost the mids for a more modern sound. If i boost the bass its very rich. You gotta love a Roscoe- action and tone. Everything you could want!

[chadds]

Originally Posted by Bass Response

I have a mahagony body with all bart electronics and love the sound. Its just what I was looking for. I play through a phil jones flightcase. Its a little bit of an old school sound. But i do like to boost the mids for a more modern sound. If i boost the bass its very rich. You gotta love a Roscoe- action and tone. Everything you could want!

Everything you could want!

[justBrian]

I adjusted the pickup height tonight and, boy, what a difference. It's like a different bass. It smoothed out the lows and balanced the highs. Great rehearsal. Final full dress tomorrow, then shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. WooHoo!

[Gard]

Brian, were you just in Kurt Morrow's shop while he was on the phone with me? If so, you have one of the SICKEST tops we've ever put on a bass, you need to share some present photos (I don't have any completed shots of the bass ) of that one with the rest of the class!

[VroomVroom]

Status update, on behalf of Gard...we just went to Defcon 4, which means...

[justBrian]

I haven't seen Kurt for quite a while, so it wasn't me. The only pics I have are from the seller, but here are a couple if pics anyway:

[JOME77]

Nice looking Roscoe Brian!

[VroomVroom]

I agree...Brian, your bass is gorgeous! Glad you got the tone dialed in so it sounds as good as it looks.

[Gard]

Yeah, that is a nice one!

It's not the one I was thinking of, but it's certainly beautiful, to say the least!

[justBrian]

Thanks kids! It gets many comments, and not only the ones about how wide the neck is.

I let several of my students play it--most of them have never seen nor heard of Roscoe basses--and they are consistently amazed by the action and tone of this incredible bass.