How do I get a lot of punch in my tone?

[nutso42]

I've experimented with all sorts of settings on my bass, my amp, and my effects, but I just can't find the right sound. What I'm looking for: I want everyone to feel the bass notes in their chest. But I want the notes clear and defined. Throw in an aggressive sound with attack. But it still needs to be deep. So... how?
Everything I try leads to it becoming too high, or the sound is too muddy. Is their a way to get this (or something close) using my amp or the three-band EQ, or do I need a pedal for it?

[dhomer]

What kind of gear are you playing through? Clean and well defined is a midrange thing. What you're looking for requires a lot of speaker cone area, speakers w/a long xmax (5mm+) in properly tuned cabs, and an amplifier that has plenty of power, a high slew rate, and a high damping factor. Which unfortunately translates to large and heavy. If you peruse the threads here, folks are trying their darndest to find that sound in something they can carry in the trunk of a smart car.. Most combo amps won't get you there...

[bassictraining]

hmmm, I am gonna go with turn up the lower mids a bunch, turn up the bass just enough that it's not muddy, and pan a little toward the rear pickup.

[unclekebm]

It might be tough to achieve such "punch" with the Combos you're using

IME I get "Punch" by slightly boosting anywhere from 180Hz ~ 350Hz
depending on the Cabinet I'm using...
Sometimes rolling Lows 40 ~ 80Hz down a little helps, especially with a P bass
there's a fine line between boom and punch, careful not to get too boomy or muddy
sometimes a little boost in mid mids will help bring some lower fundamentals through

Don't over EQ, by boosting or cutting too much you'll affect other freq's in your tone
It's best to start flat

lots of "headroom helps" for a "clear, defined" tone

also try plucking just slightly behind the PU's

What kind of strings are you using on your P?

[nutso42]

If it'll help, I'm playing a Fender Precision through a Peavey 1x15 cab with 450-watt power. Only one effects pedal, a Zoom B1/b1X.

[nutso42]

The strings are SIT Hex wounds, .50-.110.

[unclekebm]

I'll probably get "flamed" for this but;

lighter gauge strings IMO tend to be a little more punchy

[bigchiefbc]

If you only have a 15, I think that might explain why its muddy. I used to rock just a 15, and never had tight enough mids. I ended up throwing a 2x10 on top of it, and now all of a sudden I had a much fuller sound.

[jmac]

Start with buying a Spector NS4 or NS-5XL.

[bassictraining]

If you could trade in for something with 10 inch speakers.... and don't beat me with a bass neck, but I think the p-bass just naturally has a more boomy sound.

[MNAirHead]

Is your p active or passive

[gnasher1993]

Ok, seeing as you posted in the effects forum, I'm guessing you're looking to effects to help you. I'm gona recommend an expander. The one that immediately comes to mind is the EHX steel leather which is specifically a bass expander. This will help to a certain degree but I have to agree that a 15" cab is pretty muddy sounding. Alot of people like that though. A 2 x 10" is great for bright, natural tones. That's what I'm rocking, well jazzing...

[RickenBoogie]

+1 for more speakers. A single 15 will never get close, no matter how you eq the amp. If that Peavey combo will support an ext spkr, start there.

[Bootzilla]

I would fiddle with your eq till you get there and if you have the money try and find a better amp/cab. Also your playing is a MAJOR factor so try different techniques and right hand locations till you find something you like.

btw. On a 3 band eq I would boost the mids, keep the lows at noon and cut some treble (I just dont like treble very much but YMMV).

[nutso42]

Originally Posted by bassictraining

If you could trade in for something with 10 inch speakers.... and don't beat me with a bass neck, but I think the p-bass just naturally has a more boomy sound.

I know it's got more boomy sound to it. Don't worry, I'm not taking that as an insult to my axe.

Getting the smaller speakers definitely sounds like a good idea. I've GASed over a 6x10 cab I saw, but I have nowhere near the funds for it.

And in answer to (someone's) question, the bass is passive.

Yeah, I have an extremely basic setup. It sounds great for Motown stuff, and that's what I had in mind when I got it all. Recently though, my tastes have been changing.
Finally, thanks for the advice. I'll try the stuff I can afford, and save up money so I can try the rest.

[bigchiefbc]

Originally Posted by nutso42

I know it's got more boomy sound to it. Don't worry, I'm not taking that as an insult to my axe.

Getting the smaller speakers definitely sounds like a good idea. I've GASed over a 6x10 cab I saw, but I have nowhere near the funds for it.

And in answer to (someone's) question, the bass is passive.

Yeah, I have an extremely basic setup. It sounds great for Motown stuff, and that's what I had in mind when I got it all. Recently though, my tastes have been changing.
Finally, thanks for the advice. I'll try the stuff I can afford, and save up money so I can try the rest.

This is the 2x10 I'm rocking, and I love it. And it costs the same as a good pedal anyways:

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....net?sku=601056

[bassmanrocke]

Check the pawn shops in your area for old peavey 410 cabs. These will definitely increase your punch and can usually be found for next to nothing.

[Lurker79]

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

If you only have a 15, I think that might explain why its muddy. I used to rock just a 15, and never had tight enough mids. I ended up throwing a 2x10 on top of it, and now all of a sudden I had a much fuller sound.

+1 10s will easily do the trick.

[joeydavidson]

You could try using compression, the right compression pedal can change the attack and add definition.

[Adelleda]

Originally Posted by joeydavidson

You could try using compression, the right compression pedal can change the attack and add definition.

Compression indeed.

And may i suggest;


Check the review out, he plugs in a bass at around 1:40