How much bass is TOO much bass?

drwhiteguy · #1 08-09-2006, 05:40 PM

I searched that question, but until the search function sorts by relevance, I'm not sure exactly how to find my answer.

Tone wise, when you know when too much is too much? Aside from the obvious of mudding up the mix, or the opposite extreme...

What would you say is a good range to stay between...?

If this is already like 1000 threads, a polite redirect would be much appreciated.

Thanks everyone

lpdeluxe · #2 08-09-2006, 05:42 PM

I've borrowed a '91 G&L L2500, and it's TOO MUCH bass! Too heavy, too large a neck, too big a body, it's just about unmanageable. I'll try it at rehearsal tomorrow night, but it's not for a little guy (by "little", I mean under 7' and 300 lb).

drwhiteguy · #3 08-09-2006, 05:45 PM

Perhaps I'm in the wrong forum...I meant as far as your own individual tone shaping goes. Should I be in EQ?....I think I just answered my own question....

Whoops... sorry Mr. Moderator

mark beem · #4 08-09-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwhiteguy

I searched that question, but until the search function sorts by relevance, I'm not sure exactly how to find my answer.

Tone wise, when you know when too much is too much? Aside from the obvious of mudding up the mix, or the opposite extreme...

What would you say is a good range to stay between...?

If this is already like 1000 threads, a polite redirect would be much appreciated.

Thanks everyone

Can't comment tonewise as I'm able (90% of the time) to "dial-in" my sound with whatever I'm playing. There have been a few instances where that's not been the case.

However, I've had instances where the bass itself was "too much" for me. For example, I had a Zon Hyperbass once that had the fully adjustable bridge and de-tuners on all four tuning keys. I realized very quickly that it was waaaay too much bass for me.

Jiggybass · #5 08-09-2006, 05:51 PM

you know that there is too much bass if the skirts/ shorts that the people in the front row are flapping

as if, I dunno, if there's too much, you'll know.

ihateusernames · #6 08-09-2006, 08:43 PM

Ummm, IMHO too much bass equals overbearing in the mix, even to a bass player. As far as individual tone goes. The low frequency indistinguishable rumble that accompanies so many modern rock/nu-metal players is too much bass, save that range for the synths. Not to be a Fieldy basher but he's too obvious. That's too much bass hidden under the click clack click click clack. Staind...too much bass.

Now on the other hand....dare I say...in certain eras Geddy could get by with a whisper more low end, however I don't recall any albums with too much bass.

Personally I like the concept of rolling off under 150 hz, eq'ing to taste and rolling back in the low stuff to make it full. That's a decent way to avoid too much bass. (it's hard to explain too much bass, heh?)

edit to add a golf reference. in golf, amateurs should play for more break than anticipated on a putt. the inverse holds true for bass (at least the way most 'sound guys' around here sort things out) The inverse to me states that on bass, amateurs should should play for less bottom than anticipated.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #7 08-09-2006, 08:46 PM

If you've got an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp and you turn up the bass knob more than halfway, you've got too much bass.

ScottyAx800 · #8 08-09-2006, 08:49 PM

Ha! Go ask Jaco, then go ask some of today's reggae players. Honestly there's only one way to find out, and that is with your own ears.

Rattman · #9 08-09-2006, 08:57 PM

I'd say when you are irritating people.. like your bandmates.. and your individual notes are nowhere to be found, only felt... That is 'too much' bass... and forget about any nice, tasty fills or solos..as it would be wasted effort

My own 'take' on EQ is to keep things pretty flat, with maybe the exception of the mid-range freqs.. push them a bit hotter.. IMO