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EQ for pop, rock, and general fingerstyle.

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Flatty Banks, Jul 20, 2009.

  1. Jul 20, 2009 #1
    Flatty Banks

    Flatty Banks

    Oct 26, 2008
    California
    Okay, since it's impossible for me to make decisions; I'm asking you guys. I play a mixture between pop and rock for this band I'm playing with, but I don't know how to set my 10-switch EQ on my head.

    I've been fiddling around all day and I've finally given up. Also- flat just doesn't do it for me.

    How should I set it for:
    • Pop (Jack Johnson, etc)
    • Soft Rock (John Mayer)
    • Ska (Reel Big Fish)
    • R&B (TLC)

    Thanks everybody!
     
  2. Jul 20, 2009 #2
    Gearhead17

    Gearhead17 Supporting Member

    May 4, 2006
    Mount Prospect, IL
    That's a loaded question. You are better off learning what each of those sliders does tone wise and go from there. Once you understand what certain frequencies sound like, you can start adjusting your tone to what you need it to be. There are no settings out there that work in every situation you will be in and every stage/venue presents a entirely different acoustic response. You most likely will not have the same tone night to night.

    Start with your bass controls flat and start your amp flat - read the manual for setting the gain control. Turn all bright switches and any other switches off completely. Then turn up the Master volume to the usual gig level and start adjusting the amp in small increments. Listen to the changes in tone and you will soon figure out what you need to adjust for certain music you play.

    Honestly though - if you are playing all of that music live in the same night, it will be easiest to use just one tone for everything. Utilizing a pick and the pickup blend control is the easiest way to adjust your tone live without radically changing your tone for every song. Trust me, most people in the audience will not care one bit if your bass tone is not exactly the same as the album.
     
  3. Jul 20, 2009 #3
    greenboy

    greenboy

    Dec 18, 2000
    remote mountain cabin Montana
    greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
    Unless you have programmability ; }

    Actually changing your fingerstyle techniques (like what part of the pad/tip hits the string at what angle ferinstance) and moving your hand position, is remarkably efficacious as well. The bass is just an awesome instrument for dynamic tonal variability!
     
  4. Jul 20, 2009 #4
    MNAirHead

    MNAirHead

    Nov 22, 2008
    Minnesota - Twin Cities
    VERY wide open question for credible replies.

    Start with your strings, bass and amp setup.

    T.
     
  5. Jul 20, 2009 #5
    Gearhead17

    Gearhead17 Supporting Member

    May 4, 2006
    Mount Prospect, IL
    Actually changing your fingerstyle techniques (like what part of the pad/tip hits the string at what angle ferinstance) and moving your hand position, is remarkably efficacious as well. The bass is just an awesome instrument for dynamic tonal variability![/QUOTE]

    Thanks for the reminder! Playing near the neck of the bass and near the bridge will give you different sounds. Experiment!