lacking presence

[Bodeeni]

agree to try clicking off the compressor. Make sure the pickups are up close to the strings. Use the bridge pickup more and play over it more when you need a punchier tone.

 

[bassbully]

Hate to break it to you, but if you’ve ever recorded an album or played a gig using a digital console...there’s a 99% chance your signal had some element of compression on it

Very true didn’t like it in the studio but that was beyond my control.

 

[pedroims]

Send a pre eq signal to mixer and tell the sound guy to bring your bass alive.

 

[RichardW]

Lacking, uh, wedding presence is not going to make the bride and groom very happy.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Both pickups open full gives you a significant treble boost.

Nope. On passive basses it cuts the mids, which gives the perception of a bass and treble boost.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

If you read the original post you may notice a clue here.
He states that the D, D# and E on the A string die off quickly.
This sounds to me like a classic Fender dead spot issue.
Yes, it occurs more commonly on the same frets of the G string,
but it can happen on any frets of any string.

Different strings might change that to a different spot.
They might add presence.
A low mid boost may help.

Or we can go the spend money/feed GAS route...
try a maple FB P bass with RS66s.

 

[bassfreakah]

A good passive DI box direct from your bass is a good starting point.
The sound man should be able to get you close, then tweek from their.
A good cable from bass to box is important also!!!

 

[Ric5]

I play a 2002 Fender Jazz with flat wounds. I use an Ampeg 2x10 combo with an Aguilar compression pedal.

The sound guy for my wedding/bar/cover band has been complaining that my bass lacks "presence". Low end is no problem, but anything over the D/D#/E on the A string loses punch. I can hear it myself... there's not a lot of attack and it just kinda dies in the mix.

I know some of it is a result of my flat wounds, and my amp only has a 3-band EQ. Wondering if anyone has any advice for this problem?

Thanks!

Technically presence is the high treble range …


Invalid Link Removed

 

[lz4005]

He states that the D, D# and E on the A string die off quickly.
This sounds to me like a classic Fender dead spot issue.
Yes, it occurs more commonly on the same frets of the G string,
but it can happen on any frets of any string.

That's not how dead spots work. They're frequency dependent, not location dependent. A bass with a bad dead spot at the C on the G string might also have a weak C at other fret locations, but not the 5th fret across the board.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I play a 2002 Fender Jazz with flat wounds. I use an Ampeg 2x10 combo with an Aguilar compression pedal.

The sound guy for my wedding/bar/cover band has been complaining that my bass lacks "presence". Low end is no problem, but anything over the D/D#/E on the A string loses punch. I can hear it myself... there's not a lot of attack and it just kinda dies in the mix.

I know some of it is a result of my flat wounds, and my amp only has a 3-band EQ. Wondering if anyone has any advice for this problem?

Thanks!

Buy a P bass! That’s what it was designed for!

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Full disclosed, haven’t read the whole thread. But based on the original post, your higher NOTES are getting lost in the mix, and your soundman wants there to be more presence (in terms of those higher notes are more present in the mix). If that’s the case, I would actually suggest using the compressor MORE, to help level out the low notes and let the overall volume be even across the board. You might want to check out different strings too, and possibly some pickups with individually adjustable pole pieces so you can lower the E string and raise the others. Also check that the setup is good and those higher notes aren’t choking out, and then you can adjust your technique to allow you to dig in a little more for the higher notes and play lighter on the lower notes.

 

[Steadfast]

If you’re like me and you prefer the feel of flatwound strings, you might want to try the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. They are nearly as bright as roundwounds but they’re actually flats.

Totally agree. They rock.

 

[slobake]

The room also has a huge influence on your sound. Played one place that required a lot of work to avoid having my bass sound like mud and disappear. It sounded great from the stage but disappeared in the audience.
Your sound guy might get you dialed in at one place but need to start over again at another venue.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

So....no one is going to tell him he simply has a dead spot?

 

[sikamikanico]

Hard to diagnose what exactly is the problem, but I'd consider all the little tweaks. Not necessarily in order of importance:

• Strings - what flats? I find some SS flats very mid-shy, thumpy. Maybe get some bright ones as suggested, or I'd go with more middy ones, like TI flats. Or darker roundwounds. Either way, chances are nickel would help...
• Setup - are all frets level? Sometimes they can choke some notes. Make sure all strings ring all over the neck, adjust relief and action accordingly (and to your preference). Then dial in the pickup height.
• Pickup balance - as suggested, both on full creates a mid scoop, and can make you disappear. While it can be noisy with single coils, try favoring either pickup. If noise is unbearable/untolerable, consider getting noiseless jazz pickups, or work around the scoop of both pickups on.
• Technique - try playing more towards the bridge. Maybe even with a pick. Try harder and softer, etc... whatever it takes. And, try it in combination with different pickup settings.
• EQ - all of the above, I'd try first with flat EQ (typically at "12 o'clock"). Then I'd adjust by cutting lows and/or boosting mids. Depending on EQ frequencies, treble can help or just add hiss...
• Compressor - I'd try all of the above first without the compressor on, or in the chain. But perhaps it can help? I don't know enough about compression to suggest improvement, but I know too much compression can kill the sound.
• Cab - with a 210 arrangement, are the speakers side by side (horizontal)? Try tilting to the side, so that they are vertical. It may look goofy, but I heard a difference when I had a 210 cab/combo...
• Edit: Dead spots - while I hardly believe that's what's going on, try pressing the head of your bass against a wall or something massive. If that resolves it, look into adding weight to your neck. I think there's a thread somewhere on TB by someone adding weights under the tuners...

Most of these are free, but best bang for buck is probably finding the right strings.

 

[saabfender]

So....no one is going to tell him he simply has a dead spot?

Nope, ‘cause that would be incorrect.

 

[Nevada Pete]

That's not how dead spots work. They're frequency dependent, not location dependent. A bass with a bad dead spot at the C on the G string might also have a weak C at other fret locations, but not the 5th fret across the board.

My Fender American Standard Precision V has the classic Fender dead spot on the 7th fret / G string. The same note played on the 12th fret / D string rings true.

 

[lz4005]

My Fender American Standard Precision V has the classic Fender dead spot on the 7th fret / G string. The same note played on the 12th fret / D string rings true.

See there where I said "might also"?

 

[Nevada Pete]

After you work out the setup issues with your bass including pickup height and favoring one pickup (usually the neck pickup), I strongly recommend a pre-EQ feed to FOH. Either that, or a direct box right from the bass itself. Your sound guy can't EQ your bass properly otherwise. Adjust your amp to taste on stage so you can hear yourself distinctly. Point the speakers at your head.

I would hold off on changing strings until you know you have made the most of what you have.

 

[Nevada Pete]

See there where I said "might also"?

Now I do!

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Try using just the neck pickup. Both at 100% can easily get muddy.

And double check that it really does sound the same without the compressor. The comp shouldn't be the issue, since it is only above a certain frequency, but still good to make sure.

In my experience (Played Jazz Bass since 1966) turning off the bridge pickup and turning on the neck pickup will give a mellower more P-Bass type of sound. Turn it off and run the bridge pick-up only (like Jaco did) will give you a much more treble sound. Possibly turn down the neck pickup a bit, but not the bridge pickup.

I actually far prefer both volume knobs dimed as well as the tone knob. It is far from a muddy sound. Then on my amp (Eden WT500/800) I boost the low mids at ~250Hz and run everything else flat. Sometimes I'll drop the bass EQ by one or two clicks.