my multiple active basses are a pain to dial in when there is onboard EQ, especially with the midrange band. I have a boogie big block 750 and i have reached out to mesa to see if there is any kind of mod or some product in the pipeline with the ability to defeat the EQ section. Anybody know of anything out there? Tried a Crown power amp and it sounded surprisingly good but I need more back panel functions
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any good amp with the ability to defeat the EQ section?
- Thread starter deegan
- Start date
GR Bass One amps have a "pure" switch to defeat the EQ section.
My understanding was that if you notch the onboard controls you're at a neutral setting but I could be wrong. I have been toying with the idea of a 7 band eq pedal, but the rig is copacetic so that might be a moot expenditure. The active 6 has an EMG BQS, but the passive JB might benefit a smidgen.
thank you that's quite a find. GR completely off my radar
Any amp with send/return jacks will usually defeat the amp EQ by simply plugging into the return jack. The only exception to this that I am aware of is some Markbass amps.
Glockenklang has defeatable EQ, but then it's pretty much as non-Mesa-like as one can get...
Yeah as above, enter in the return of the loop.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,047
- 5
- 221,002
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
No plans for a mid to defeat the EQ on the Big Block.
There are 2 things at play here, native voicing and the specific eq controls/section. The Walkabout and WD-800 have a footswitchable parametric mid eq section but the bass/treble and passive mid eq are not switched.
On the D-350/800/800+, placing the eq controls in the center (flat) position effectively bypasses the eq leaving only the amp’s voicing active.
Mon the Shuttle and ShuttleMax amps, setting the eq to center (flat) also effectively bypasses the eq resulting in essentially a flat response (with the voicing switches off).
There are 2 things at play here, native voicing and the specific eq controls/section. The Walkabout and WD-800 have a footswitchable parametric mid eq section but the bass/treble and passive mid eq are not switched.
On the D-350/800/800+, placing the eq controls in the center (flat) position effectively bypasses the eq leaving only the amp’s voicing active.
Mon the Shuttle and ShuttleMax amps, setting the eq to center (flat) also effectively bypasses the eq resulting in essentially a flat response (with the voicing switches off).
I never played on an amp with defeatable EQ, but I'd like to see this on every amp, it would help while working on the EQ settings by using the EQ defeat to compare "with/without EQ". And you made a good point, you can use it to alternate between 2 basses. It's too bad so few amp have this feature IMO.
Ampeg amps use Baxandall eq, which is flat when the knobs are at mid rotation.
Bergantino B|Amp. +1 on Glockenklang (at least the Soul head IME).
I went through a phase of zero EQ on those heads, until I realized I actually prefer them with a little bass, lo mid & treble boost.
I've found I can manage fine with amp tone controls that are mostly flat w/ everything @ noon. They don't have to test perfect with pink noise & a visualizer or anything like that. Long as they sound good & are intuitive to adjust if needed.
The Fender style tone stacks could sound sublime for me sometimes, but when they didn't, the interactivity of the controls used to drive me nuts.
I went through a phase of zero EQ on those heads, until I realized I actually prefer them with a little bass, lo mid & treble boost.
I've found I can manage fine with amp tone controls that are mostly flat w/ everything @ noon. They don't have to test perfect with pink noise & a visualizer or anything like that. Long as they sound good & are intuitive to adjust if needed.
The Fender style tone stacks could sound sublime for me sometimes, but when they didn't, the interactivity of the controls used to drive me nuts.
ebs reidmar (depress the 'filter active' button so it doesn't glow)
I have the D800+ and that is what I did. Placed at noon and just used voicing to dial in tone. This works very well with the cab I have. My basses are active with very versatile and powerful EQ. Most of the time l have to use very small amounts of additional EQ from on board eq. D800+ is an awesome head with tons of EQ on tap if you need it, but dialed back to essentially flat sounds fantastic.
Why not get one that doesn't have an EQ section to defeat?
https://www.frenzeltubeamps.com/mpx-50-power-amp
Boutique
Or at least search out one with a James/Baxandall type tone stack which is supposed to be flat at the mid-point of the pot's sweep.
https://www.frenzeltubeamps.com/mpx-50-power-amp
Boutique
Or at least search out one with a James/Baxandall type tone stack which is supposed to be flat at the mid-point of the pot's sweep.
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One of my guitar amps (victory Duchess) has defeatable EQ, and I really dig it. EQ is there if you want it, but when removed from the signal chain, it's a different sound, and definitely changes the response.
