any good amp with the ability to defeat the EQ section?

[gtirard]

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.

In fact, I also have boutique tube amp with the same option, it's called "Pure", and it removes the EQ section all together. Like for you, it's a different sound (it doesn't sound like when all is EQ knobs are at noon, or 0 or max, and it's louder). That because the EQ section is passive.

I think what OP has in mind is different: in the case of the GR Bass amps, with active boost/cut EQ, I think the option to defeat the EQ section sounds like when all EQ knobs are at noon.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

My peavey tour 700 has a 7 band EQ bypass

 

[factory presets]

I was gonna say the FX return as well. But then you bypass the gain control. Which can be a useful little saturation knob.

You could just set the amp EQ to the same settings every time and tune your onboard preamp to make that nominally flat sound work for you. Centre detents would be easily repeatable but might not be the ideal gain structure.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Euphonic Audio iAmps have an EQ defeat button.

 

[burgerdj]

Eden WT330/390/405

 

[agedhorse]

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.

This is actually the recommended approach as described in the manual too.

 

[Drop1]

I almost feel like you'd be better off with a pa or hi fi amp and a pre amp of your choice.

 

[lowdownbp5]

This is actually the recommended approach as described in the manual too.

This is exactly how I run my shuttle 6.0 and my Streamliner 600. Awesome tone

 

[Drop1]

This is exactly how I run my shuttle 6.0 and my Streamliner 600. Awesome tone

I LOVE the shuttle 6.0. Selling mine was one of rhe worst decisions I ever made.

 

[SOUTH PAW]

I think some of the amps mentioned as having an eq bypass, are like my Carvin BX500 that have a graphic eq that is being bypassed, not any other tone controls of the preamp section.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I remember playing a benefit show with The Presidents of USA's backline. Big cabs with heads with one vol knob only.

sounded nice

 

[mcnach]

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.

I also have a D800+. It's funny that I chose the D800+ over the D800 partly because of the more tweakable EQ... and in the end I barely touch it

I could get by easily just with the voicing control, the adjustable HPF and the actual bass EQ control (plus input gain, and master volume, of course). The rest is the proverbial cherry on top.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Same here, but it is nice to also have the deep and bright switches for lower volume situations.

 

[Pop C]

Phil Jones Bass M-500 has both parametric and graphic, with on/off switches for both. Not sure if this is still in production and not everybody's cup of tea at around 2k and 45 lbs, but I love mine, even though it's not the amp I take out all the time.

 

[groooooove]

this is one of those things that seems logical and you think you want it, but i don't think it will give the result you want.

as others have said,

setting controls to noon/eqing for neutral is likely a better idea.

most bass players out there with active basses - and i mean most - are getting eq both on the active bass and the amp. and often pedals as well.

 

[DuluthDank]

Ashdown amps have it

True, but at least on my Ashdown setup, this isn't a particularly flat or transparent sound.

My suggestion would be EBS.

 

[shwashwa]

quilter bass block 800 is flat with controls at noon

 

[logdrum]

Just verify what is the input impedance of the fx return. If instrument, plug there directly. If line, get a Saturn Works passive or active impedance switcher and bypass the preamp completely and plug to the return. This is important because wrong pickup loadin will alter your tone.

 

[CaptainGreen]

I don't think that it's been mentioned yet, but the MarkBass Little Mark Vintage as a defeatable EQ via foot switch.

 

[tchristian]

True, but at least on my Ashdown setup, this isn't a particularly flat or transparent sound.

My suggestion would be EBS.

Nor mine. It's an older ABM500 that's been on the shelf for awhile now. It's a very colored amp imho with or without the EQ section. My Eden WT405 also has an EQ bypass switch. I'm thinking it's not a rare feature overall.