MWWAHH Adjustment?

**lowendfriend** · #1 10-16-2010, 07:32 AM

I've been searching the threads for the answer to this question with very limited success:

What setup characteristics maximize MWAHHH on a fretless?

J. Crawford · #2 10-16-2010, 07:35 AM

Definitely as low setup as you can get. That increased my "mwah" incredibly. Lighter touch helped too, as I used to play the fretless like my fretted, very hard and authoritative.

I'm subscribing though, as I want to know more ways..

mobis.fr · #3 10-16-2010, 10:18 AM

in my experience, the neck should have a little bow and a not too low action - the height depends on how strong you dig in. i have a light touch and a ramp and got most mwah out of this way.

i tried a dead straight neck like on my ricks, but it didn't get me more mwah out of it. also a too low action reduces imo the mwah instead of increase it.

jpfbass · #4 10-16-2010, 10:20 AM

Scooping the mids helps a TON. More so then having a light touch imo

**lowendfriend** · #5 10-16-2010, 11:31 AM

I would say the scoop suggestion is a fast & easy one to test and it does give the sound a "cave" quality to it which enhances mwah as I sit here plunkin'.

I have been trying physical setup differences to get the physical mwah vibration envelope out of the string. I have straightened the neck over its original setup from Lakland (probably a mistake, but hey I gotta learn how to control it.)

Anyone have any documents that address mwah setup on a fretless? Most doc's seem to ignore fretless, e.g., Jerzey Drozd Ultimate Guide.

taphappy · #6 10-16-2010, 11:46 AM

Well, harder fretboards obviously make a huge diff. But, Sunbeams have provided me with some seriously warm mwah. Haven't got it to that perfect setup, though, just got the neck back on.

Thread HERE that's covering the topic under a different premise.

Surprisingly, a search for "mwah" turned up a bit.

Bijoux · #7 10-16-2010, 11:52 AM

I've had several fretless basses over the years, and I think that some have more of that quality than others, although I can't quite understand why...
I have a Fender Jazz Bass ( a real old one,japanese) and basically I get too much of that growl!
what does it for me is generally having the neck as straight as possible, very low action, I am currently using Elixir mediums, which are very, very soft, and also when I really want to maximize the growl, I tend to play closer to the neck and add a heavy slow vibrato with the left hand.

mixalot · #8 10-16-2010, 12:07 PM

Subbed.

RedLeg · #9 10-16-2010, 12:12 PM

low action. roundwounds. epoxy, polyester, or super glued fret board.
when in doubt, look to the players that get that tone. Jaco and Manring immediately come to mind.

Kwesi · #10 10-16-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpfbass

Scooping the mids helps a TON. More so then having a light touch imo

I don't understand how this makes any sense. The general perception is that the mids are an integral part of that Jaco/Manring-esque tone. Scooping the mids makes the bass sound lifeless on my fretless.

tapp01 · #11 10-16-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I don't understand how this makes any sense. The general perception is that the mids are an integral part of that Jaco/Manring-esque tone. Scooping the mids makes the bass sound lifeless on my fretless.

+1
My mids are always boosted for when I feel like breaking out the fretless.

taphappy · #12 10-16-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeg

super glued fret board

Wot?

ubado · #13 10-16-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeg

low action. roundwounds. epoxy, polyester, or super glued fret board.

IMO ... the best way to get that MWWAHH sound. The harder the board, the easier it is to coax it out. Other than that ... it's all in the fingers.
(I do find keeping my plucking hand closer to the bridge helps too)

**lowendfriend** · #14 10-16-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taphappy

Well, harder fretboards obviously make a huge diff. But, Sunbeams have provided me with some seriously warm mwah. Haven't got it to that perfect setup, though, just got the neck back on.

Thread HERE that's covering the topic under a different premise.

Surprisingly, a search for "mwah" turned up a bit.

Thanks, tappy.....the problem wasn't finding hits on MWAH....the trouble was finding real mention of setup factors....great thread and thanks.

The answer seems to be low action and straight neck. Did a quick tweak on action and a quarter turn tighter on neck and the mwah factor on the 55-01 ebony fretboard is increasing.

**pacojas** · #15 10-16-2010, 12:54 PM

one man's mwah is another man's vomit. too much mwah gives me nausea.

RedLeg · #16 10-16-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taphappy

Wot?

ohh yeaa! Super Glue is fantastic stuff. Back in the 90's I defretted a fair number of basses for friends and myself. Mostly cheap korean rosewood boards. When you use the really thin stuff like Zap brand in the pink bottle, it actually penetrates deep into a dried out (with acetone) rosewood board like a sponge. IMO it is harder and longer lasting than epoxy, YMMV.

ThrashMaster · #17 10-16-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeg

ohh yeaa! Super Glue is fantastic stuff. Back in the 90's I defretted a fair number of basses for friends and myself. Mostly cheap korean rosewood boards. When you use the really thin stuff like Zap brand in the pink bottle, it actually penetrates deep into a dried out (with acetone) rosewood board like a sponge. IMO it is harder and longer lasting than epoxy, YMMV.

I do this to fretted boards as well (I use stainless frets...wouldnt recommend this with the usual nickel ones as I imagine chipping would be a nightmare when you go to refret).

Just keep slowly applying thin super glue until the board wont absorb anymore. I then build up coats of the thicker viscosity stuff until theres enough to level sand and buff. Takes a bunch of time, but the result is a moisture and grime impervious fretboard thats as hard, stiff, and shiny as possible

Also easy to repair the finish on the board...just add some glue and resand and buff

RedLeg · #18 10-16-2010, 03:42 PM

hell yea on the hardness, appearance, and maintenance. now send me your necks and I will do it for a price, ...lol shameless plug

pjmuck · #19 10-16-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubado

(I do find keeping my plucking hand closer to the bridge helps too)

And this is where you'll get a difference of opinion. I personally don't consider Jaco's tone to be strong in mwah (or at least as strong compared to someone like Mick Karn, for example), because he primarily plucked back near the bridge. So I find the opposite to be true, as the closer I am to plucking near the heel of the neck or even over the highest frets on the fretboard gives me the strongest mwah with a better note blossom. Plucking back near the neck gives me a sharper attack, more staccato, and less blossom to the notes. Can vary depending no the bass, obviously, but generally when I want to do faster runs that "appear" to be in better tune/intonation with less mwah I pluck back near the bridge.

Rojo Grande · #20 10-16-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeg

low action. roundwounds. epoxy, polyester, or super glued fret board.
when in doubt, look to the players that get that tone. Jaco and Manring immediately come to mind.

Agreed. Ebony board (or something equivalent like a composite) will definitely work. Also try putting some 500 in the mids. You can experiment in the 500-800 range as long as you have the bottom covered.