Double Bass how to unmud my bass

[basic74]

my bass sounds great, but it´s a bit muddy in the low register (too much bass) and has a strong wolf on Ab, with the A octave harmonic not responding very nicely.
I have tried all kinds of strings in the last year (evah medium & weich, obligato, spirocore medium & weich, flexocor deluxe, eudoxa, efrano, permanent). I love guts.
I have tried a wolf eliminator and it helps moving the wolf up or down depending on mounting location, but I feel it´s not the perfect solution because it just moves the problems and depending on the key I play in it´s better with or without.... I can live with a wolf it´s just a fact of life.
but is there a way to get rid of the mud?

 

[Jeff Bonny]

high pass filter

 

[Michael Eisenman]

OP didn't state that it occurred while amplified. His profile doesn't indicate that he owns an amp.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

hmm, you're quite right....a setup by an experienced luthier with good ears then. The variables of the basic sound of the body plus bridge, soundpost, tailpiece/tailgut/afterlength, endpin, string choice probably present far too complex an interaction for much specific internet advice to be very useful.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Braided steel tailgut, lighter tailpiece and soundpost adjustment. You can adjust the afterlength and maybe try a compensated tailpiece, mode matching.............................Some basses are just wolfy (mine included) and defy all efforts to be tamed.

 

[360guy]

I'd try adjusting the Soundpost first.

 

[neilG]

Try the easy things first, like the soundpost ^^, and try a different bow.

 

[drurb]

...a setup by an experienced luthier with good ears then. The variables of the basic sound of the body plus bridge, soundpost, tailpiece/tailgut/afterlength, endpin, string choice probably present far too complex an interaction for much specific internet advice to be very useful.

Precisely. To the OP: I sure wouldn't suggest that the you try a soundpost adjustment yourself. This is why luthiers are the experts that they are. Take your bass to a reputable luthier and let him/her have at it. I suspect that, as 360guy says, the first place to go is the soundpost but, of course, I'd let a luthier decide that.

 

[codycon96]

Maybe raise the treble?

 

[robobass]

Can you describe your bass a bit? Might be helpful.

 

[drurb]

Maybe raise the treble?

I've never found the "treble" knob on my DB.

 

[robobass]

I've never found the "treble" knob on my DB.

Oh Geez, it's just behind the pickguard!

 

[drurb]

Oh Geez, it's just behind the pickguard!

Wait! Is there a "bass" knob too?

 

[Feral Feline]

The only knob on my bass is... me.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Oh, I am so stealing that line.

 

[Feral Feline]

Actually... Two of my basses are knobless (apart from me), but my Shen has both a treble knob and a bass knob. I adjusted them both and I don't hear much of a difference. However, when I turn them up to 11, my strings feel funny.

 

[basic74]

wow this was nice
I will let a luthier see it and adjust the soundpost as a start.

 

[iiipopes]

As set forth above, have you worked with a luthier to experiment with soundpost locations, among other elements of setup?

 

[robobass]

Again, it would be helpful to know what you have. If this were an auto repair forum you wouldn't simply write: My car runs rough. What should I do?" Forum members would start by asking what kind of car it is.

 

[drurb]

Again, it would be helpful to know what you have. If this were an auto repair forum you wouldn't simply write: My car runs rough. What should I do?" Forum members would start by asking what kind of car it is.

True, but details of how and when it runs roughly and under what circumstances often point to common sources regardless of who built the vehicle. I agree that knowing more about the actual bass (as would be true for a car) can lead to substantially more insight. Seems the OP has left the building.