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Do I need an equipment change?

flojob

flojob

Oct 15, 2011
1,699
2,864
#1
Started playing some RnB stuff, like from the 60's and 70's. I'm just not pleased with the sound I'm getting, and think maybe I should look in another direction. Here's what I have
Carvin SB5000
Peavey Minimega
Fearful 12/6/1 and sub
I'm not really looking to change cabs, but feel like a different amp or bass might help.
I should also say I'm a serious hobbyist, so wouldn't be interested in boutique stuff...more toward accessible off the shelf brands.
Feel free to tell me tone is in the fingers so it shouldn't matter! Save me some trouble and money
Thanks yall
 
#3
Been thinking that too. I had a 75 p that I hated the neck on, so I'm a little gun shy about the p neck. The new ones have the neck as 63 C, and I can't find exactly what that means. Folks say that the profile is thicker. Can't find a 5 string P pro to try locally.
 
#4
flojob said:
Started playing some RnB stuff, like from the 60's and 70's. I'm just not pleased with the sound I'm getting, and think maybe I should look in another direction. Here's what I have
Carvin SB5000
Peavey Minimega
Fearful 12/6/1 and sub
I'm not really looking to change cabs, but feel like a different amp or bass might help.
I should also say I'm a serious hobbyist, so wouldn't be interested in boutique stuff...more toward accessible off the shelf brands.
Feel free to tell me tone is in the fingers so it shouldn't matter! Save me some trouble and money
Thanks yall
Click to expand...

This is Talkbass.
Of course you need a change in equipment!!!!!

In all seriousness, for off the shelf brands, Fender has everything you need for that sound, both basses and amps (and I say that as a proud member of the Pedulla Club). I play my P bass just as much.
 
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#5
guitarflinger said:
This is Talkbass.
Of course you need a change in equipment!!!!!

In all seriousness, for off the shelf brands, Fender has everything you need for that sound, both basses and amps (and I say that as a proud member of the Pedulla Club). I play my P bass just as much.
Click to expand...
You know I never considered fender amps...maybe I should. Since i read those cabs take power, I've always looked at 8-1k amps. I've been thinking of getting a P, but I need a 5 string. Wish I could play one.
I'm gonna research some fender amps
 
#7

guitarflinger said:
In all seriousness, for off the shelf brands, Fender has everything you need for that sound, both basses and amps (and I say that as a proud member of the Pedulla Club). I play my P bass just as much.
Click to expand...

Wait. You mean the P bass isn’t a Pedulla?
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Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45


 
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#9
Keep the Carvin if you like it.
Set your amp and you bass's preamp to flat.....that should cover it.

For decades I was a firm believer of passive pickups and active electronics and nickle strings. And I always played a 4 string Jazz Bass with boutique amps and cabs.
Then, I was struck by lightning and now I'm 100% passive. I switched to Fender Rumbles, set everything flat and it works in every situation. I do boost the treble when a pic tone is needed but thats it.
I kept the nickle strings.

Bass, cable, amp, no effects, direct to house. Never had a bad night.....well, I never have a bad night.
 
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#11
flojob said:
Started playing some RnB stuff, like from the 60's and 70's. I'm just not pleased with the sound I'm getting, and think maybe I should look in another direction. Here's what I have
Carvin SB5000
Peavey Minimega
Fearful 12/6/1 and sub
I'm not really looking to change cabs, but feel like a different amp or bass might help.
I should also say I'm a serious hobbyist, so wouldn't be interested in boutique stuff...more toward accessible off the shelf brands.
Feel free to tell me tone is in the fingers so it shouldn't matter! Save me some trouble and money
Thanks yall
Click to expand...


You could just get a pedal for those sounds. Maybe something like a Tech21 Blonde.

 
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#13
instrumentlevel said:
Biggest change, tone wise, would be changing your stings to flatwounds, if you haven't done so already. They'll bring the thump you need. And no eq on an instrument or amp can get you to that sound.

Nite, though, that they tend to be stiffer than other strings at the same gague. I use LaBella Low Tension Flexible Flats on my main bass.
Click to expand...
You know, I tried flats on this carvin, and it didn't sound right at all. Tried some cobalt flats and another brand. I think those pickups and preamp just don't work well with it
 
#15
allotabass said:
Keep the Carvin if you like it.
Set your amp and you bass's preamp to flat.....that should cover it.

For decades I was a firm believer of passive pickups and active electronics and nickle strings. And I always played a 4 string Jazz Bass with boutique amps and cabs.
Then, I was struck by lightning and now I'm 100% passive. I switched to Fender Rumbles, set everything flat and it works in every situation. I do boost the treble when a pic tone is needed but thats it.
I kept the nickle strings.

Bass, cable, amp, no effects, direct to house. Never had a bad night.....well, I never have a bad night.
Click to expand...
I love the neck...nice slim profile. I usually start flat, and almost always passive unless I'm using lots of B string. Just doesn't sound great. Just not thick. Plenty 9f bass frequecies, but thin highs and midrange that doesnt really stand out...eq'ing in midrange accentuates unpleasantness. Maybe I need someone to twist knobs while I play. I try getting the eq right, but still no punch, for lack of a better term.
 
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#16
flojob said:
You know, I tried flats on this carvin, and it didn't sound right at all. Tried some cobalt flats and another brand. I think those pickups and preamp just don't work well with it
Click to expand...

I had the same issue in reverse. I had an Ibanez EDB800 - one of the ones made out of luthite instead of wood - and couldn't get a sound I liked out of it. Sold it to my friend for a song, he puts flats on it and it sounds great.

I also think a P bass will get you right where you want to be. They ruled the 60s and 70s RnB scene. You can always get a P Bass Special. They have a Jazz neck and a PJ config that will offer you some tonal versatility.
 
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#17
FugaziBomb said:
I had the same issue in reverse. I had an Ibanez EDB800 - one of the ones made out of luthite instead of wood - and couldn't get a sound I liked out of it. Sold it to my friend for a song, he puts flats on it and it sounds great.

I also think a P bass will get you right where you want to be. They ruled the 60s and 70s RnB scene. You can always get a P Bass Special. They have a Jazz neck and a PJ config that will offer you some tonal versatility.
Click to expand...
I had one and loved the neck.
 
#19
Flats could help a lot, and maybe a slightly better amp like a Mesa Subway or Aguilar TH500 depending on taste. Or even a Quilter BassBlock, those are cool amps, or a Trickfish or the Genzler Magellan, which is a very nice amp.

There some effect pedals that might help too, like a Solid Gold FX Beta, which many describe as Motown in a box.
 
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#20
Gruv gear fret wrap. Nice to be able to mute, in mute quickly. If it is 1 bass I would string with flats. Chrome lights will do nicely.

Ideally it would be two similar basses, 1 with rounds as well. Keep the 5 it's what you are comfy with. Do not boost with the on board preamp. You would also add in an AB switcher of some kind to facilitate quick changes if you are gigging.

Dial the highs down on the 12.6.1. Add an HPF into your rig - or cut some very deep bass if your amp allows. The fEarful goes a lot deeper than what we typically heard back then. We heard a lot of 80 hz and not much 40...

Listen to a lot of material from the period. I mean really listen closely to the sound of the bass. Tonally it is not typically overstated until you get to Bootsy, Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, Verdine White... pretty much that is where the rounds and lead funk bass came into play.
 
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