Pick and finger players - Keeping a consistent sound

[RichardCranium]

Just wondering for those that play both pick & fingers how do you keep your sound consistent or do you? Do you change any settings or just not really worry about it.

[puddin tame]

if you wanted to keep the sound the same why would you switch between either technique?

[crack-boom]

I was aware that the point in using the different technique was to get a different sound?

[shadowmac]

When I use a pick, I use it specifically for the percusive "attack". I too ask, why would you change styles if you didn't want a different sound. Is it a speed / dexterity issue?

[BassBob1]

I mostly play fingure style but when i switch to a pick it's to sound like I'm playing with a pick or at the very least a different attack. I don't change a thing.

[scotch]

Well, I often switch technique mid-song and while I want the pick to sound & feel different, I don't want the change to be too drastic.

I use an eq pedal, specifically an Xotic RC booster (bass version) to even out the tones a little. When I switch to the pick, I kick on the RC set up with a little treble cut and a bit of bass boost. The result is the same attack characteristic of the pick, but still having enough bottom and punch as my fingerstyle tone.

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by scotch

Well, I often switch technique mid-song and while I want the pick to sound & feel different, I don't want the change to be too drastic.

I use an eq pedal, specifically an Xotic RC booster (bass version) to even out the tones a little. When I switch to the pick, I kick on the RC set up with a little treble cut and a bit of bass boost. The result is the same attack characteristic of the pick, but still having enough bottom and punch as my fingerstyle tone.

+1 This, and a footswitchable external E.Q. Very handy for tone shaping, matching, boost for passages/tracks etc.

If I'm on the pick and I'm not using an external E.Q. I bump the bass frequencies a little on the bass (if active) or the amp, to avoid the bottom end loss compared to fingerstyle.

[RichardCranium]

Originally Posted by puddin tame

if you wanted to keep the sound the same why would you switch between either technique?

Depending on the tune if it's just simple 8th notes sometimes a pick is better IMO for consistency and also depends on my mood/how tired my fingers are for other stuff. I've just been rolling the high EQ knob back but not really sure it's enough.

[honeyiscool]

I don't think much needs to change between the two, other than the volume knob, and not even that much, really.

The plucked bass sound is far louder, but the picked sound has more definition so cuts through better. So it all averages out.

I just set the tone controls for the best picked sound and then the fingered tone is usually quite good. Not so much the other way around, though.

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by crack-boom

...the point in using the different technique was to get a different sound...

this is it for me . . . I'll use a pick to get a more percussive attack and a finger ("the hook") to get a smoother sound . . . . . .

[dj150888]

Originally Posted by honeyiscool

The plucked bass sound is far louder, but the picked sound has more definition so cuts through better. So it all averages out.

Its only louder if you want it to be louder! Its easy to control how hard you play!

[mcapote]

compression can be good for evening the volume out. I know when i pick it would be louder than my finger style because I dont dig in with my fingers, i try to abopt more of a steve harris style of tipping it to get faster reaction though im not that quick LOL.

[jaywa]

I play about 80% fingerstyle to 20% pick and have gotten my best results not by EQ but by placement of the right-hand attack.

When I use a pick I tend to play a little closer to the neck (i.e. over the neck pickup), whereas when playing fingerstyle I am usually splitting the difference between the two pickups or sometimes favoring the bridge pickup when extra attack is needed. Using a pick back by the bridge is just too aggressive a sound for what I play though for other players it may be just the ticket.

I have found that helps me keep the essential foundation of my sound while still carrying the distinctive character differences between a pick and fingerstyle attack.

Hope this helps.

[Phalex]

I use a pick when I want a brighter tone and a sharp attack.

[sutarappa]

Originally Posted by jaywa

... have gotten my best results not by EQ but by placement of the right-hand attack.

big key. it is wonderful how much tone change can be accomplished through technique and placement.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I use a pick when I want a brighter tone and a sharp attack.

+1

It's really about the attack for me.

However, I understand that some players have more control with one or the other. For example, a pick player may be more comfortable or play better with a pick, yet desire the attack of a finger-style player.

At that point it comes down to choices in the actual pick itself, strings, EQ settings at the bass and elsewhere in the signal chain, and hand placement/technique as someone said above. It can be done.

I think vice-versa is more difficult. I've never been able to pull of a convincing pick attack playing fingerstyle.

[JTE]

I switch because I WANT it to sound different. Just like I switch how hard I pluck with my fingers, or where on the finger tip I roll the string off, or where on the string I hit it, or how hard I hit it. I never alter settings to make the pick sound like fingers or vice-versa.

John

[dmrogers]

Originally Posted by JTE

I switch because I WANT it to sound different. Just like I switch how hard I pluck with my fingers, or where on the finger tip I roll the string off, or where on the string I hit it, or how hard I hit it. I never alter settings to make the pick sound like fingers or vice-versa.

John

+1

[Skitch it!]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

+1

It's really about the attack for me.

However, I understand that some players have more control with one or the other. For example, a pick player may be more comfortable or play better with a pick, yet desire the attack of a finger-style player.

At that point it comes down to choices in the actual pick itself, strings, EQ settings at the bass and elsewhere in the signal chain, and hand placement/technique as someone said above. It can be done.

I think vice-versa is more difficult. I've never been able to pull of a convincing pick attack playing fingerstyle.

+1 With this,

Just as a point of interest, I think* the bassist Bunny Brunel used to play on his nails for a semi authentic pick attack. I have tried keeping the nails a bit longer for that kind of sound, but it's difficult to switch between pad and nail after they get to a certain length. It is a different tone, you get an initial pick attack followed by some pad roundness, but then you have nails to avoid if you want a pure consistent round tone. I didn't get far with it, I cut them back after a month, it was a very 'touch' orientated technique.

[Rusty the Scoob]

Mike Gordon of Phish doesn't play fingerstyle at shows for this exact reason - he either picks or palms the pick and slaps.


For me, I drastically switch basses. Roundwounds on a Sadowsky J for fingerstyle and flats on either bart humbuckers or a dark-starred shortscale semihollowbody when I pick.

Or I deal with the sound difference for what it is. Depends on the situation.