EQ pedal... it seems too good to be true.

[Meddle]

I have a problem. Lets say its a potential Emperor's New Clothes scenario.

I have a lot of pedals but I tend to only gig with 4 maximum. These get changed around quite often but I don't like too much circuitry between the bass and the amp. I have an EQ pedal with built in tuner (its an Artec). Its a great little pedal. Not only do I have a tuner on deck, but I find that the EQ on it is an instant tone improver.

Now so far, so obvious, but I want to know the extent of the deal here. My amp (a Laney R4) has an EQ on it alongside a dedicated "Enhance" knob which if anything is a mid-scoop adjustment. The whole amp is tuned to be pretty mid scooped and I'm not a massive fan but it has to do just now. I find that using an EQ pedal infront of it seems to improve the tone. Now this seems odd, EQ -> EQ seems counterintuitive. However I can get a much tighter bass response and a more lively tone, less 'dead' mids (I'm not sure how to describe it, but its more focussed). This makes my amp sound better, but I figured that this was just the scenario of it sounding good in my room but rubbish in band practices.

However even with a different amp (and different settings on the pedal) I was still able to dig a nice tone out of another pretty rubbish amp in the practice space.

Now it seems strange to be dependant on one little pedal, but what is the catch with using an EQ pedal? I guess I can easily blow out speakers or push other components past their opperational limits, but is that it?

[bongomania]

Different gain stages can sound different. It's entirely plausible that the gain stage in the Artec adds a slight bit of coloration to the tone that just sounds "better" than the gain stages in the amps you used. Check out all the threads about the Submarine, the Fatboost, the Chili Picoso, etc. All any of them is (essentially) is a gain stage that just "sounds better".

[Kael]

You are probably already aware of this, but it bears mentioning in case you aren't. Enhance knobs are "flat" when turned completely off. If you are not happy with the amount of mid scoop you are getting from your amp, start by making sure the Enhance knob is set all the way CCW. If you are still experiencing mid scoop after killing the Enhance knob... then you must have a helluva scoopy amp. Good luck.

[tomhanzo]

Don't think of it as over kill. If you have a tone in mind use whatever it takes to get there.

I use an EHX Tube Zipper set to a clean/minimum break up as a preamp going into my amp. I always have it on. The unique wallwart, big foot print and barely audible static makes it almost seem not worth the hasle. BUT its worth it to get that perfect tone.

Only you can decide if its worth it. I say keep it man.

-side note-
If you like mids, try an acoustic amp. I have the B200 and it is amazing. Has a notch filter for making your mids perfect. Its farely cheap at $350.

[jason poff]

Originally Posted by tomhanzo

If you like mids, try an acoustic amp. I have the B200 and it is amazing. Has a notch filter for making your mids perfect. Its farely cheap at $350.

How does a notch filter create perfect mids?

[tomhanzo]

I can't tell if your actually asking or being mean, so quote from guitarcenter.com

"The B200 also includes a frequency sweepable -10dB notch filter to tailor your mids, and a six-band EQ for exact control over every nuance of your bass's tone."

I guess its just magic.

[ninepoundjammer]

I'm getting pretty addicted to the MXR 6 band eq pedal (M-109). Both amps I'm gigging these days only have three band eq's in their pre's, and I find I need the MXR to really clean up muddiness and get my mids just right. I've also found that having an eq on my pedal board that I'm very familiar with really helps me dial things in quickly when I'm using an unfamiliar amp. In fact, I just bought a second M-109 to replace my boost pedals, I always had a hard time finding the right tone with the boost pedals because they only have two band eq's.

[NKBassman]

Originally Posted by Meddle

I have a problem. Lets say its a potential Emperor's ...

At first glance I thought this thread was going to be about Emperor cabs releasing a line of pedals.