Am I the only one to set it all flat?

[The_Ryst]

it seems I hear people talking a lot about how they set up their EQ, spiking mids, spiking treble, the smiley scoop, but am I the only one that just runs it flat?

I have a Fender Precision Elite and I run the tone and volume on full with the amp on flat...to me that is very natural and works fine.

It just has such natural tone I dont' even want to bother tampering with something I find to be so perfect and classic.

I mean, on my Ibanez BTB406qm, sure I mess with the EQ, bc IMO the straight flat tone just isn't all that great on it, but the p-bass just is so classic and pure.

[jenderfazz]

A slight mid boost and treble cut is all for me. Amps can sound screwy when boosted too much and lifeless when cut too much.

[Munjibunga]

Pretty much everybody who owns an Eden amp sets it it flat.

[BartmanPDX]

I set my GK pretty flat, and run my Bongo with flat EQ as well.

Often times, there's a reason why the midpoint on the EQ of basses and amps is where it is . . .

[seanm]

The EA iAMP line has one of the most powerful EQ sections available on an amp today. And yet do a search on the iAMP, most people seem to run them flat. Including me

And flat on the iAMP means bypassing the EQ completely; there is a flat switch. The advantage of the EQ is when you need it, it's there.

[43% burnt]

I used to bump the mids...but now I bypass the EQ completely. It really depends on the bass/amp. I think a true sign of great tone is when it sounds awesome flat.

[Don't_Fret]

Originally Posted by seanm

The EA iAMP line has one of the most powerful EQ sections available on an amp today. And yet do a search on the iAMP, most people seem to run them flat. Including me

And flat on the iAMP means bypassing the EQ completely; there is a flat switch. The advantage of the EQ is when you need it, it's there.

Yup, me too.

My F Bass's preamp is always flat, too. I usually judge basses and amps by what I can do without EQing them.

[Rumblejohn]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Pretty much everybody who owns an Eden amp sets it it flat.

+1

[Phil Mastro]

I play it flat most of the time, but when I gig, sometimes I have to boost the mids and highs to cut through better. Otherwise, I barely touch it.

[Alexander]

(Like most I believe), I run my Thunderfunk flat - I've tried getting a "better" tone with the EQ, but always go back to flat...

[SBassman]

I certainly always start every gig that way. Then, depending on the room and the crowd in the room, I make Minor adjustments from a flat setting.

[The Alexander]

I have never really understood the term "flat". Does this mean that on the preamp, there is no boost or cut on the EQ? Thanks.

[DaveDeVille]

Originally Posted by SBassman4x

I certainly always start every gig that way.
Then, depending on the room and the crowd in the room,
I make Minor adjustments from a flat setting.

same here with my SVP-PRO ...
{ i keep the EQ section ON , but i tend to keep it set flat .}

[Kronos]

I used to be a mid scooper. Not anymore. I tend to boost some of my mid highs, and my mid lows. Nothing directly in the middle, but the mid highs seem to give my basses a bit more growl and voice. Plus, I needed meat from the mid lows. So, right about the 1Khz point, I drop down to 0, and around it is up a bit. So, it's more like this : ~

[poptart]

Yes you can count me in on this one - I have had lots of expensive basses with active eq's etc and I run them all flat, and just add in a bit of top/bottom when the song.room needs it.

The tone comes from the guitar and the way you play it - "it's in your fingers".

[teedub]

Fingerstyle is essentially flat, a little cut of lows and highs to "boost" the mids.

For thumbin', though, I've got a little boost of lows and highs.

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Pretty much everybody who owns an Eden amp sets it it flat.

Yup. Everything is in the detent. I run the enhance at about 9 o'clock for a touch of tweakage. That's about it.

Same goes for my bass.

If really want to get creative, I might pan the PU to the neck and back the highs off a touch for a tubbier sound. But, I usually have to have a few drinks first before I really let my hair down like that.

[Trevorus]

Most of my stuff is set flat. On my GK, I may boost the low mid a bit, but my basses are run flat.

[The Alexander]

Originally Posted by Joshua

And the bass too.

Note that some preamps have specific settings for flat that might not be all eq at "half way".

Thanks Joshua.