Cranking The Bass Knob

[cdwthunderfoot]

for me, It depends entirely on who I play with. If I can get away with it, I love cranking that bass control.

 

[Mechayoshi]

Depends on equipment because if it’s not the right kind you’re in boomy muddy city. Unless of course that’s what you’re into... Also we’re failing the mention the rest of the eq. Cranked bass with no mids and cranked bass with mids are two different things.

Source: Has owned an amp that had muddy bass. Currently has one that doesn’t.

 

[mapleglo]

Up the bass

• mapleglo
• Mar 20, 2018

turning up the bass

But Officer, JimmyM said it was ok...

 

[phillipkregg]

This is the first I've heard that you're not supposed to turn up the bass. I've always been under the impression that you adjust the EQ to whatever sounds right.

 

[scuzzy]

shine on you crazy diamond.

 

[BadExample]

But Jimmy is Badassed.

 

[DavC]

isn't that why we have Compressors / Limiters .. ??

 

[Fun Size Nick]

I’m sure that HPF you’ve got helps contain the boom though!

 

[Gizmot]

I use a small bit of bass boost - about 1 o’clock on the knob. I have enough amp power and acoustic output capability to use more, but I don’t think I need it. As you point out, in many rooms it gets muddy when the sound gets bounced around.
I like a clean, well defined sound.

 

[Bim1959]

When you crank the bass @JimmyM , is that with the ultra lows engaged or not? I like ultra lows pushed when Im using cabinets that can handle it.

 

[five7]

I love this kind of talk, I am going to start cranking the bass on everything. Screw treble.

 

[Al Kraft]

I feel better about cranking the bass knob when I have a HPF in the circuit somewhere. There are simply some amps where this would not be a good idea IME (e.g. GK RB with 5+ string button engaged, older SWR gear, etc.).

 

[SactoBass]

I am going to admit something that may get me raked over the coals...I love cranking the bass knob! Didn't always...took me a long time to warm up to the idea. But now I'll turn the bass up all the way if I need to. Gotta be judicious about it sometimes...don't want to overcrank the lows in a dark sounding room with a lot of natural reverb or anything dumb like that. And mids are still important if you want some note definition as well. But over the past years, I've gotten less shy about warming up the room real good, and I think it's working out great, and I don't get why so many people on here tell bass players not to do it. The lows are what people mostly hear out of your bass in a mix. Might as well let them have it.

There. I said it. I do something considered wrong by conventional TB wisdom, and I do so unapologetically. Take that.

Me likey da bass knob too!

 

[SactoBass]

Years ago Marantz stereo systems had a Loudness Button that would turn thin into full.

LOL! I had a Marantz stereo in the early 70's that had the "loudness" button. And you are correct......at low volumes, that loudness button made the stereo sound much better!

 

[JimmyM]

If you're talking about the bass on the amp, which I assume you are cuz I'm pretty certain you play mostly a P, I honestly don't know how that's possible. I never tried it, but there ain't no way that's happening on my amp. If I push the bass past 1:00 it starts getting boomy as all hell. I've played through a lot of Ampegs too, and almost always have to dial back the bass.

I believe you, but I think I'm missing something somehow.

This is from a while ago, but it's the only vid I have of me playing through an Ampeg. I used to keep my Bongo set pretty flat, and I know I had that amp set flat or less than. I can't imagine what the bass would sound like if I turned the lows on that amp to 10.

And thanks, cuz I now have a reason to post this video . Which I like, and never really get a good reason to post. I only played with this band for about a year.

Sounded good to me. Gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[JimmyM]

I guess I assumed we were talking about the controls on the bass, not amp. If I'm wrong, my bad.....

No worries. I meant on the amp since as Joe Nerve said, I use a P or PJ most of the time these days.

 

[JimmyM]

This is the first I've heard that you're not supposed to turn up the bass. I've always been under the impression that you adjust the EQ to whatever sounds right.

That's surprising. There is a ton of people who say not to turn your bass knob up. And while it's true that you CAN blow speakers if your amp is too loud while you crank the bass knob, that possibility simply doesn't exist with me.

 

[JimmyM]

isn't that why we have Compressors / Limiters .. ??

I briefly tried having one again after 10 years without, and it just didn't work out for me.

 

[JimmyM]

I’m sure that HPF you’ve got helps contain the boom though!

It cuts those lows below what an SVT 810e can do, definitely, but I still go for the boom.

When you crank the bass @JimmyM , is that with the ultra lows engaged or not? I like ultra lows pushed when Im using cabinets that can handle it.

Nah, I don't use the ultra-low. That's more of a mid scoop button on Ampegs.

 

[BadExample]

LOL! I had a Marantz stereo in the early 70's that had the "loudness" button. And you are correct......at low volumes, that loudness button made the stereo sound much better!

HAD as in past tense? Why? Your only defenses are fire, flood or theft

The loudness button was magic. If well implemented, like in the Marantz amps, it only boosted the bass at lower volumes to compensate for our hearing. It was good on all the medium priced gear, Pioneer, Sansui, etc. etc...