Do I hate my amp?

[BarkerBass]

Hi all,

Just got back from a band practice and I think I might hate my amp! It's an old trace elliot 300 watt combo with a 15" speaker and 7band graphic eq, I used a couple of basses including my trusted jazz bass (my default tone) but was never happy with my tone. The amp seems to rumble and boom but I couldn't find a pleasing punchy tone for the life of me.

When I play at home (alone) I rarely eq my bass at all and through my crappy Laney 50 watt 10" speaker amp it has clarity and punch and articulation but my larger Trace amp seems to mush this into a wall of sound, my technique and attempts to produce articulation just got lost.

Is this a common occurance/tone with larger speaker amps and cabs?

i can't afford anything atm so no upgrades in sight *sigh* but would you reccomend anything to try and tighten up and focus my tone with or without this combo?

thanks for reading my rant, input greatly appreciated

 

[Jeff Scott]

Try placing the TE on a milk crate (JimmyM will love this one! ) or a chair, etc., to get the amp off the floor, that may help tame the boominess.

 

[greenboy]

Gold or chrome plate a milk crate and put an Ampeg badge on it. Makes all the difference.

 

[riotorgun]

when i used a trace elliot i found it very hi fi and clean must be the speaker cab..

 

[tangentmusic]

Try placing the TE on a milk crate (JimmyM will love this one! ) or a chair, etc., to get the amp off the floor, that may help tame the boominess.

This. Also drop out some lows, bring up the hi-mids & add a touch more treble.
In other words, Work That EQ.

 

[Korladis]

As tangentmusic says, EQ can do a lot for you. Maybe cut out some of the lowest EQ slider. Experiment.

 

[greenboy]

Go figure. EQ knobs having an actual purpose. Next you'll be saying piercings come in handy for towel racks ; }

 

[capnjim]

I had a TE combo and found the same thing. I got rid of it. I think they are "The best amps for metal!!!!"
The one I had was just insanely powerful and I could not tame it and get rid of the booming.

 

[My name is Mudd]

EQ EQ EQ...and not a smiley face, either.

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

High mids, less bass in the EQ. On the crate and facing the wall, preferably the corner. Put it in time out. If it has 2 inputs, try using #2. Also you can try standing further away from it. The waves of the bass fequencies may be to close together for you to hear the articulation, but from a few more feet away, the waves may smooth out into a more stabalized pattern, thus sounding better to your ears.

 

[BurningSkies]

I find they sound better when switched into the 'off' position.

 

[Korladis]

High mids, less bass in the EQ. On the crate and facing the wall, preferably the corner. Put it in time out. If it has 2 inputs, try using #2. Also you can try standing further away from it. The waves of the bass fequencies may be to close together for you to hear the articulation, but from a few more feet away, the waves may smooth out into a more stabalized pattern, thus sounding better to your ears.

 

[greenboy]

You caught that too, Satori? ; }

Hey, put your amp in a closet on top of a hamper and cover it up with all your dirty laundry would make just as much sense.

 

[BurningSkies]

Try this. This will help.

Link Removed

Link Removed

 

[greenboy]

Put this in the Levis first:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[will33]

Where do you guys come up with all these wildass pictures? Everybody knows a dirty sock over the dustcap will fix whatever your ailment may be.

 

[GregC]

Gold or chrome plate a milk crate and put an Ampeg badge on it. Makes all the difference.

This must be sigged.

 

[Jeff Scott]

High mids, less bass in the EQ. On the crate and facing the wall, preferably the corner. Put it in time out. If it has 2 inputs, try using #2. Also you can try standing further away from it. The waves of the bass fequencies may be to close together for you to hear the articulation, but from a few more feet away, the waves may smooth out into a more stabalized pattern, thus sounding better to your ears.

Ignorance is bliss.

 

[greenboy]

 

[My name is Mudd]

Try this. This will help.

Link Removed

Link Removed

...omg...they're serious, aren't they?