Bass is TOO loud!

[EarnestTBass]

every sized venue I play at someone ie: club owner, BL (he actually wants me to turn my bass amp a GK1001 Mark11 into GK 115 neo (with G&L L-2000) away from him.

You can be as loud as you want when you're at home, practicing alone.

In public settings- where you are playing for pay- if your employer thinks you are too loud, then you are, in fact, too loud.

I started getting more gigs, and better paying gigs, when I figured out who the boss is. Try to accommodate the needs of the venue, not your personal preferences.

 

[Hans Gruber]

If the boom doesn't go away when you drop out, it's the guitar as much as you.

It's tough, I sometimes play with acoustic players who often compensate playing solo and leave the same low end EQ settings and it doesn't play well adding a bass. And they're understandably used to having that kind of huge acoustic tone. But I'm not bothered by it, I just go with it.

 

[Bob McAlister]

You were likely dealing with a lot of low end from the other members along with yours, however, I suggest you post the settings of the GK head into this thread and let us know what you are doing on the bass too. Loud bass is one thing, but boomy bass that people repeatedly tell you is too loud is an EQ problem on YOUR end. It can be fixed though, just make sure you actually listen to your fellow bass players.

Ok, here goes; My eq on the Gk head is...see photo (it was rightside up??)
My G&L 2000 settings are; Treble knob 1/2 way up, bass knob I turn all the way up then back it down a quarter distance down, both pups on, center switch forward, treble boost switch in the middle and clicked forward if I want more high end for a particular song. all going thru a GK neo 15". Larger venues I'll break out my GK neo 410". Help!

 

[DWBass]

Yep, looks like a bit too much bass boost.

 

[Bob McAlister]

Acoustic guitar players always want to hear their guitar as a super full with all the low end of a solo acoustic sound. Most acoustic guitars mixed in recordings are EQed incredibly thin and function more as a rhythmic element than thick chordal.

This acoustic guitar player does a lot of solo gigs. He's an amazing 'fingerstyle player' and is endorsed by Martin.
He plays some custom size Martin bigger than a D-35 maybe a D-42....big box. I took a look at his amp settings (has an SWR 'California Blonde') after the gig last night and he had the bass at 3 o'clock, his mids down to 9 o'clock and his treble down to about 10:30. Seems pretty bassey to me. probably sounds good solo?? He also fiddles around with the guitars' built-in EQ as well, so I don't know what he's doing there. Often when we goth hit a low G it really booms! My thought is that we both probably need to adjust both our sounds. But, he's the big acoustic expert and BL, so I'd have to tread lightly on his ego.

 

[Bob McAlister]

Yep, looks like a bit too much bass boost.

So, what do you recommend? 12 o'clock on bass boost?

 

[DWBass]

So, what do you recommend? 12 o'clock?

Don't boost bass on your bass. Keep flat. Bring the contour down and also the boost down on the amp.

 

[Stumbo]

So, what do you recommend? 12 o'clock?

I recommend adding an adjustable HPF to your signal chain. It will control the boom and still allow you to adjust your bass tone control.

Your guitarist's bass tone control should be around 9am.

Any way you can make a recordings of your rehearsals or gigs?

 

[Bob McAlister]

I recommend adding an adjustable HPF to your signal chain. It will control the boom and still allow you to adjust your bass tone control.

Your guitarist's bass tone control should be around 9am.

Any way you can make a recordings of your rehearsals or gigs?

Hi Stumbo, I'm 68 yrs old and have to admit, I don't know what an HPF is. We've had people video us at a couple gigs and the sound and video quality was crap.
We don't have access to a studio.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Acoustic guitar players always want to hear their guitar as a super full with all the low end of a solo acoustic sound. Most acoustic guitars mixed in recordings are EQed incredibly thin and function more as a rhythmic element than thick chordal.

One insta fix is the high pass button on the guitar channel when he isn't looking. So long as you are both playing he probably will only notice that it cleans up.

Did that one time with a non ego driven guitarist. Insta fix I tell ya! Little grey button between fader and eq usually.

 

[Stumbo]

Hi Stumbo, I'm 68 yrs old and have to admit, I don't know what an HPF is. We've had people video us at a couple gigs and the sound and video quality was crap.
We don't have access to a studio.

Check out the link in my sig! It's eazy peazy.

A filter that clears the boom.

 

[Chickenwheels]

One insta fix is the high pass button on the guitar channel when he isn't looking. So long as you are both playing he probably will only notice that it cleans up.

Did that one time with a non ego driven guitarist. Insta fix I tell ya! Little grey button between fader and eq usually.

Lol! This is exactly what I do to an acoustic player I duo with.

 

[Chickenwheels]

View attachment 3398301
Ok, here goes; My eq on the Gk head is...see photo (it was rightside up??)
My G&L 2000 settings are; Treble knob 1/2 way up, bass knob I turn all the way up then back it down a quarter distance down, both pups on, center switch forward, treble boost switch in the middle and clicked forward if I want more high end for a particular song. all going thru a GK neo 15". Larger venues I'll break out my GK neo 410". Help!

I’ve used GK amps for decades, and this is a bass heavy setting.
Try contour down/off, treble between 9-10 o’clock, high mid and low mid between 1-2 o’clock, Bass 10 o’clock.
Always go easy on the treble and bass knobs. Keeping the treble down in GK amps help them sound fuller without turning up other stuff.
Hope this helps!

 

[mikeoso]

This acoustic guitar player does a lot of solo gigs. He's an amazing 'fingerstyle player' and is endorsed by Martin.
He plays some custom size Martin bigger than a D-35 maybe a D-42....big box. But, he's the big acoustic expert and BL, so I'd have to tread lightly on his ego.

ok, this will sound harsh...but, when the BL tells you what to do, you do it or he gets someone who will.

Couple minor points. Martin doesnt endorse musicians. Neither does anyone else. In an endorsement deal, the musician endorses the maker, and maybe gets free gear. Martin doesnt do that either. Martin also doesnt build "custom" sizes. D is a size. Maybe it's a J or a Grand J? In any case, if he's plugged in, the body size is irrelevant.

One major point. The BL gets to choose what the band sounds like. If you want to play "your sound", start your own...that's how the business works.

 

[Bob McAlister]

ok, this will sound harsh...but, when the BL tells you what to do, you do it or he gets someone who will.

Couple minor points. Martin doesnt endorse musicians. Neither does anyone else. In an endorsement deal, the musician endorses the maker, and maybe gets free gear. Martin doesnt do that either. Martin also doesnt build "custom" sizes. D is a size. Maybe it's a J or a Grand J? In any case, if he's plugged in, the body size is irrelevant.

One major point. The BL gets to choose what the band sounds like. If you want to play "your sound", start your own...that's how the business works.

Ok, here's the deal as I know it. He was employed by Martin for many years. I'm not sure the "legal" term for their relationship, but he traveled the US paid Martin was on their payroll)to make sure Martin Guitars were maintained and gave fingerstyle performances/seminars at said G.C.'s. When (up until recently) Martin have live performances at NAMM- my guy would be the guy you'd see performing/demonstrating their guitars. He recently told me that the guitar he uses is a 'custom' size. Don't know what to tell you bro. I've been to the Martin booth at NAMM and he knows everybody and they know him. He told me his guitar is a performing Artist series body style model 42 custom shop. I guess 'K' is for Koa.
Look man, I am definitely a team player, I've spent thousands of dollars to try to get the right combination in order to get the best bass sound I can afford and to make this duo sound as good as it can....My sound!!! I don't need your attitude.

 

[mikeoso]

Look man, I am definitely a team player, I've spent thousands of dollars to try to get the right combination in order to get the best bass sound I can afford and to make this duo sound as good as it can....My sound!!! I don't need your attitude.

Cool. You dont want advice, dont ask.

 

[Turnaround]

Sometimes it’s not the bass player.

About 10 years ago during rehearsal the lead singer kept complaining that I was too loud. I turned the bass off for the next run through and he still complained I was too loud.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Weird. People usually tell me to turn up.

 

[Luckydog]

Ok, I wanna hear from you guys/gals. Is it just me, but every sized venue I play at someone ie: club owner, BL (he actually wants me to turn my bass amp a GK1001 Mark11 into GK 115 neo (with G&L L-2000) away from him. Will the parking lot do? He has a deeper than a Martin D-28 acoustic (imho-very bassey on the low end) and we do compete for the bottom end say on low G. He plays a lot of solo gigs, so I see why he needs a guitar with more range, .....but jeeez. Jammed with some old friends last Saturday in a small studio (1 car garage size-4 of us, drums, bass electric guitar and keys) and the keys guy says please turn that amp another direction....what again! Afterwards I ask the drummer/multi-instrumentalist if he thought i was too loud and he said "it was a bit boomy". Every time I'm thinkin' I't's just right. Correct me if I'm wrong, but bass is supposed to be noticed in Rock n' roll....yes? Are we the 'Rodney Danderfields of the band...."No respect"?

Havent read all the posts, but I experienced what you describe in your first post. Had a singer with a full bodied Martin who did a lot of solo gigs. He was used to having the entire spectrum for his guitar in the mains, and would not share space in the spectrum at all. Our sound was just a complete unintelligible roar. We could adjust the mains, but he insisted on using two large amps and had this rumbling low sound on stage all the time. We tried many times to get him to cut his lows, and very politely showed him the advantages. Nothing worked...all we got from him was a wide-eyed deer in the headlights look as a response, as if he was shocked that we would ask him to adjust his mix. I think he believed that you simply dont question the front guy. By majority decision, he is no longer with us. Sad because he was a great singer and very good guitar player. But he was simply best suited for solo gigs. Sort of the poster boy for “doesnt play well with others”.

 

[two fingers]

View attachment 3398301
Ok, here goes; My eq on the Gk head is...see photo (it was rightside up??)
My G&L 2000 settings are; Treble knob 1/2 way up, bass knob I turn all the way up then back it down a quarter distance down, both pups on, center switch forward, treble boost switch in the middle and clicked forward if I want more high end for a particular song. all going thru a GK neo 15". Larger venues I'll break out my GK neo 410". Help!

Um..... yeah. I think you're way too boomy. You have the bass about 3/4 up on your bass AND on your amp.

Also, you're scooped. If you boost the bass and treble on your bass, AND boost the bass and treble on your amp, the mids are gone. As such, to hear yourself you have to turn up louder. Scooped bass tones get buried in a mix.

Try this. Start "flat". Start with no boost on anything. (Different amps are "flat" at different settings. You may have to look up what settings those are on your bass.) FORGET your favorite bedroom tone. I run sound as well as any bass. I say it all the time here. Your favorite bedroom tone might just sound like garbage in a mix. Then play flat for a minute. After that, ask your self what your really need. Use your EARS, not your usual settings.

But, yeah. You're boosting the ever loving crap out of your bass and treble when you combine your bass and amp settings.