How much can one expect from an EQ pedal?

SteveC · #1 11-08-2009, 03:21 PM

I have a very sweet sounding Sadowsky RV-4. Sounds great, plays great, has basically replaced my Yamaha BB605 with Bartolini electronics. However, when I was listening to some Tom Kennedy the other day, I kinda missed being able to get that kind of tone which I could from my Yamaha, but not quite as much from my Sadowsky.

I am wondering if an EQ pedal would help for those times when I want to get that more "nasal" or "burpy" kind of tone that I get from the Yamaha by boosting mids and favoring the bridge pup. Or does anyone make a mid boost pedal? Maybe a parametric EQ Pedal to dial in what I need.

I have also debated a "DI" board (see another thread) and maybe an EQ (along with my tuner, compressor and DI) would be a good board.

RickenBoogie · #2 11-08-2009, 04:31 PM

Amp and cab?

SteveC · #3 11-08-2009, 07:03 PM

Well, I mostly play with FOH support so I don't like/need/want "my sound" to be dependent on my rig. I use a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T combo and sometimes a 110 extension cab.

bongomania · #4 11-08-2009, 09:14 PM

I don't think an EQ pedal is always a ticket to better tone, but I do think it is always worth a try! There have definitely been times when a bit of EQ experimentation made me realize that I didn't actually hate the sound of a given bass, preamp, or string set--it just needed an extra little bump in the low mids, or a little cut in the high mids. It's a relatively inexpensive way to suss out and possibly improve the strengths and weaknesses of a rig/instrument setup.

SteveC · #5 11-08-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I don't think an EQ pedal is always a ticket to better tone, but I do think it is always worth a try! There have definitely been times when a bit of EQ experimentation made me realize that I didn't actually hate the sound of a given bass, preamp, or string set--it just needed an extra little bump in the low mids, or a little cut in the high mids. It's a relatively inexpensive way to suss out and possibly improve the strengths and weaknesses of a rig/instrument setup.

Kind of what I was thinking with all of my threads and questions. This ties in with my "DI Board" tread/question. Try the compressor again, get an inexpensive EQ and see what it does. I mean, the Sadowsky is a killer bass, but like any bass, it can't do EVERYTHING well. Once in a while I'd like a little mid from the no mid preamp.

JimmyM · #6 11-09-2009, 12:51 AM

What happens when you run the Sadowsky preamp flat? You should have plenty of mids that way.

Munjibunga · #7 11-09-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

What happens when you run the Sadowsky preamp flat? You should have plenty of mids that way.

Keeping in mind that "flat" on a Sadowsky is with both tone knobs all the way down ... the treble and bass controls are boost only. (I know you know that, Jimmy.)

JimmyM · #8 11-09-2009, 01:11 AM

Actually I didn't, but thanks for telling me...now I can scratch a Sadowsky off my Christmas list

SteveC · #9 11-09-2009, 07:42 AM

I am aware of the boost only and VTC operation. It's not that I don't like the tone - I do. I tend to run it with just a touch of bass boost and the VTC rolled off about 50%.

The Sadowsky preamp (in my experience) doesn't lend itself to a real "burpy" kind of mid thing that I can get with my other bass with jazz pups and a Bartolini preamp with mid control. It's not a tone I use often, I was just thinking if I decide to go with a little board (tuner/comp/DI) adding an eq would be an easy way for me to get some more options.

I prefer the Sadowsky and 4 strings to my other bass and was just wondering about getting that tone - or others - when I want to change it up a little. I am assuming it's mostly an EQ thing as both basses are active jazz types but with the different preamp/EQ.

Just thinking out loud as it helps me clear the cobwebs sometimes and keeps me from doing/buying things that aren't necessary.

NortyFiner · #10 11-09-2009, 08:13 AM

A used Boss GEB-7 EQ pedal should be pretty easy to find cheap for an experiment.

SteveC · #11 11-09-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

A used Boss GEB-7 EQ pedal should be pretty easy to find cheap for an experiment.

That's what I was thinking. It would probably be nice to have a parametric in a pedal but they are hard to find. I suppose that it would be nice to have the other frequency's available if needed.

Pitbull Growl · #12 11-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Ironically I have a parametric preamp pedal I was considering getting rid of because I have a 3 band parametric preamp now on my main bass and having the 2 together seems redundant.

bongomania · #13 11-09-2009, 09:52 AM

You sure you mean parametric? http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/eqtypes.shtml

Pitbull Growl · #14 11-09-2009, 10:01 AM

Yep.... The pedal is the CM PP/DI, and the onboard pre is that Noll TCM-3P.

btw... I'd strongly recommend EITHER for anyone looking to enhance their tone and finding that traditional EQs just aren't cutting it for 'em.

bongomania · #15 11-09-2009, 10:04 AM

Ooh--I didn't know about the Noll. Sorry!

Pitbull Growl · #16 11-09-2009, 10:14 AM

Yeah... the Noll ROCKS!!! Using the 2 together tho really overdrives my amp too easily due to the excessive boosting. (Mesa tube amp) The thing I really love about the Noll is that the controls are right there in reach for changes on the fly.

I guess technically they're both semi-parametric (fixed Q)... but that's about as parametric as one can get w/o using something rack mounted. (Yeah, I know there's the Empress, but even it's variable Q is just 3 fixed points, so I consider it semi-para too)

Marill · #17 11-09-2009, 05:42 PM

you can try the aguilar tone hammer, which has 2 knobs for mids control. one knob that sweep selects the frequency you want to affect (200Hz to 1000Hz, i think) and the other knob to boost or cut.

scotch · #18 11-09-2009, 09:34 PM

Normally, I wouldn't recommend a simple eq pedal for someone desiring a 'different' inherent tone from their instrument. However, given the op is only looking for an occasional change to 'approximate' a different sound, I think an eq pedal would work perfectly!

There's lot's of eq options available in a pedal format. I'd recommend either the Boss GEB-7 or Empress ParaEQ (depending on whether you are more comfortable with a graphic or a parametric...)

All_¥our_Bass · #19 11-11-2009, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I don't think an EQ pedal is always a ticket to better tone, but I do think it is always worth a try! There have definitely been times when a bit of EQ experimentation made me realize that I didn't actually hate the sound of a given bass, preamp, or string set--it just needed an extra little bump in the low mids, or a little cut in the high mids. It's a relatively inexpensive way to suss out and possibly improve the strengths and weaknesses of a rig/instrument setup.

+1 to this.
I usually love the way a piece of gear sounds, but it needs a bit of fine tuning. I run a BOSS GE-7 eq BEFORE my dirt box to boost my mids so I get plenty of pick attack in with my gritty fuzz.

Munjibunga · #20 11-14-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

I am aware of the boost only and VTC operation. It's not that I don't like the tone - I do. I tend to run it with just a touch of bass boost and the VTC rolled off about 50%.

The Sadowsky preamp (in my experience) doesn't lend itself to a real "burpy" kind of mid thing that I can get with my other bass with jazz pups and a Bartolini preamp with mid control. It's not a tone I use often, I was just thinking if I decide to go with a little board (tuner/comp/DI) adding an eq would be an easy way for me to get some more options.

I prefer the Sadowsky and 4 strings to my other bass and was just wondering about getting that tone - or others - when I want to change it up a little. I am assuming it's mostly an EQ thing as both basses are active jazz types but with the different preamp/EQ.

Just thinking out loud as it helps me clear the cobwebs sometimes and keeps me from doing/buying things that aren't necessary.

You need to try a Modern 5-24. They are burpier than a baby with lactose intolerance.