Head with most powerful EQ?

[Pearl_jammin]

Just wondering, which head have you used that has really impressed youw with it's EQ. I'm on the lookout for a new head and I'd like to be able to get something close to an active tone from a passive, if that's even possible just using EQ.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Without a doubt, the Mesa MPulse line has one of the best eq sections ever. From the Walkabout, and MPulse 600, you have virtually unlimited eq control. I'm sure there are others, and of course, tons of amps with a graphic eq, but I prefer knobs to sliders, and the knobs on the Mesa's are extremely useful.

 

[projectMalamute]

SWR stuff is pretty comprehensive. The SM series amps have bass and treble shelving, a high frequency 'presence' knob and 4 midranges, each with frequency and gain. I think Eden stuff is laid out pretty much the same way. I like the SM400 better than the SM500, for what it's worth.

 

[joegeezer]

Eden is my choice.

 

[projectMalamute]

While on the subject, anybody know of a head with a couple of bands of parametric EQ? I remember an old Yamaha something or other that had one band, but it doesn't seem to be a very common feature.

 

[Steve]

I'm thinkin' one of the Trace Elliots that had the 12 band graphic.

 

[bongomania]

I'd like to be able to get something close to an active tone from a passive, if that's even possible just using EQ.

Just as a side note, most EQ's are active in exactly the same way that an onboard bass preamp is active. "Active" just means "uses a power supply". So it really is going to be a question of "which EQ is most powerful", as in has the deepest range of boost or cut, or the most flexibility of control, as opposed to "which one will sound like an active bass". Not all onboard bass preamps sound alike or have the same controls or amount of control.

 

[dcr]

The EA iAmp 800/600/500 have basically 4 bands of parametric EQ. As well as 4 very useful preset/contour switches

Very powerful. Also very confusing if you're not careful. Takes a while to get used to it.




dcr

 

[projectMalamute]

The EA iAmp 800/600/500 have basically 4 bands of parametric EQ. As well as 4 very useful preset/contour switches

Very powerful. Also very confusing if you're not careful. Takes a while to get used to it.




dcr

Looks like it has 2 bands of almost parametric EQ, in that you get a two position switch for Q on the two middle bands. Not that this isn't a ton of flexible EQ.

 

[C-60 Bass]

Aguilar db680 pre has a great parametric EQ. I couldnt imagine needing more.

 

[4Mal]

cautionary note - rig's with extemely comprehensive EQ, can take equally extreme amounts of time to get setup and sounding good...

I recently switch from an Eden Pre to GK head for that reason. On stage - simpler might be better for you - it is for me to a point. IMO - if the bass sounds good and the cabinet sounds good on their own - you won't need a whole lot of EQ. Basically it's there to adjust for the room and dial in the mild scoop I prefer.

Another option that you might consider is external EQ.

Trace Elliot SM-7 EQ which is a wonderful box that gives me 3 different EQ combinations at my feet. That one is long discontinued but if you find one - buy it...

The new'ish Boss digital EQ pedal looks interesting - I gather there is memory for something like 20 EQ curves to be stored and recalled at your foot in the Boss 2 pedal sized format. That could be a pretty hip device.

Radial Bassbone. B/M/T controls on channel B, Channel A had flat, or 2 pre-selected 'shapes'. This is pedal I never leave home without. Period...

So there's other ways to get powerful EQ going to consider as well... I really like plugging in at my feet and having some gain and EQ options right there - in some small and awkward rooms, I'll put my rig on the other side of the drummer so I can get away from it and hear it well. Having the BassBone and maybe the SM-7 at my feet is pretty helpful for minor adjustments through the night.

 

[greenboy]

cautionary note - rig's with extemely comprehensive EQ, can take equally extreme amounts of time to get setup and sounding good...

Kinda falls into the Knowledge Is Power category. Understanding EQ principles and a good ear and you can pretty much get any decent head's EQ section sounding - surprise - decent, or great even. I've seen a lot of people ready to trash a head because they themselves do bad EQ, and a couple/few knob twists could change things. But knowing which twists, well, that's voodoo ; }

Doesn't help that there's often a lot of hidden EQ "voicing" built into a lot of products that confuses some people. If that default voicing isn't in the ballpark their ears and cabs do well with, it stands in the way of making sense of it all.

 

[bassmodder]

The Ampeg SVT 6 pro is ALL parametric if that is what you are looking for.

 

[projectMalamute]

The Ampeg SVT 6 pro is ALL parametric if that is what you are looking for.

no, no it is not. Although that trick with the Q sweeping along with frequency is novel.

 

[SoLongJake]

+1 on the aguilar db 680, the parametric eq on this is great, and its nearly impossible to get a bad sound out of this unit.

 

[bongomania]

Here is a pedantic blurb I wrote about parametric EQ's, it may clear up some confusion:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5100595&postcount=21
Also a big +1 to GB's comment about many amps and cabs being "pre-voiced", which makes it hella difficult to apply logic and other people's advice to EQ'ing a specific rig.

 

[Lia_G]

Looks like it has 2 bands of almost parametric EQ, in that you get a two position switch for Q on the two middle bands. Not that this isn't a ton of flexible EQ.

Yep, it's 4 band semiparametric ... but with two of the bands having a bandwidth switch. It's by far the most flexible EQ I've ever used. On electric, I mostly used it pretty flat. With upright, though, the EQ made it very easy to deal with feedback issues and the weirdness that comes along with piezo pickups and the big acoustic.

My iAmp had a bad hiss, and I finally got tired of it when I realized that I really just couldn't use it in the studio (I was working on a project where the artist wanted everything live, mic'd in the studio). But I miss that EQ section for sure.

Hard to learn, though! Took some time and dedication.

Cheers

 

[CoffeeBass]

I don't know if it is your thing but I am looking at the Carvin bx1200 head and it seems to have crazy eq options and is reported to have a really clean (read: unvoiced) signal at flat. The bx600 has the same eq but only one channel at 600W(2ohm). I am buying one when the good old IRS ponies up my dough, and will leave feedback then. A search will get you all of what you need too though.

Here is the link.
Link Removed

 

[John D Harris]

The EA iAmp 800/600/500 have basically 4 bands of parametric EQ. As well as 4 very useful preset/contour switches

Very powerful. Also very confusing if you're not careful. Takes a while to get used to it.




dcr

I'd agree that the iAmps have a lot of flexibility -- though since I have an active bass guitar and the iAmp-600 sounds so good set flat (at least with the input level set to 8 or 9) I just do any EQing from my StingRay 5.

The discontinued Mesa Boogie M2000 would get my vote for the most versatile bass amp ever made and the Genz Benz GBE750 and GBE1200 as runners up.

 

[dcr]

I'd agree that the iAmps have a lot of flexibility -- though since I have an active bass guitar and the iAmp-600 sounds so good set flat (at least with the input level set to 8 or 9) I just do any EQing from my StingRay 5.

Just for grins.....what cabs do you use with your iAmp 600? I'm running a pair of CxL-112s and I find that I get a TON more volume out of mine if I crank the knobs up equally to about +5 instead of 0. Mostly active basses as well.


dcr