Anyone scoop mids for rock??

[MCS4]

Technically yes. I like a very flat overall sound, but my bass (walnut Carvin LB70) and cabs (Markbass 104HR's) both are somewhat mids-dominant, so I tend to have my amp set slightly scooped. Between the bass and cabs I still cut through the mix perfectly fine, and this setup allows for a good sound out of all types of playing (typical two-finger-style, pick, upper register chords and melodies, distortion, etc.). If I'm in a playing situation where I know I'm mostly only going to play straight finger-style basslines, I'll bump the mids back up.

That being said, knowledge is power... I overly scooped for a while before I learned how to properly operate the Fender tone stack on my amp, and I still see local rock bassists struggling to be heard due in large part to a crazily exaggerated "smiley face" on their EQs.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

They didn't. Their producers didn't. The millions of people who bought them didn't. Not my ideal tone either but can't argue with the success rate.

People in mass do not appreciate a good mix, we just like to think they do, and a good mix will not sell an album or stop an album from selling. Just look at Metallica's Death Magnetic, it sold piles of copies while people still panned the hell out of that awful mix.

Also in regards to Fieldy, his tone/style doesn't actually work live. Fieldy is actually triggered with the kick drum, it makes it really easy to always hit the one...

 

[Korladis]

Still, many bassists like his tone. I think it works good, not my cup of tea though. Nothing wrong with using an ultra scooped sound combined with lots of volume if you play with down tuned and broad range guitars. It's basically your only option.

I completely disagree.

 

[Bassdude15]

No. Hex core pure stainless steel rounds are really bright.

 

[Bassdude15]

I crank my tone knob and bridge pickup on my Modified Jazz Squier. I turn the neck pickup off and compensate by turning lows way up on the amp. Then I turn the mids on the amp up and turn the treble way down.
Usually gets an awesome sound. I always utilize the midrange.

I'm guessing your music is more modern than classic?

 

[Bassdude15]

But I don't use a hyper-clean signal or particularly bright rounds. Unless nickel XLs are considered really bright.

That is just what I would suggest if you want a good modern(non-indie) rock tone