LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON SOUND

[MR DRUMS]

First of all I`m new on this forum, so hello everybody!!
I`ve been playing drums for around 19 years now, and started playing bass and taking lessons just a year ago, now that I have quite a decent technique I like some advice on sound, currently I`m using Ampeg SVT3 Pro and a Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 1x15" cabinet (with no pedal or rack fx) and Ibanez SR1000 (made in japan in 1998 according to serial number) which sound awesome!
been playing some Toto, Eagles, Boston, Styx tunes since these are my favorites bands, so the question is how should I Eq both my bass and amp to sound like these bands which actually they all sound kind of similar, should I get a Compressor, Chorus pedals or racks? the amp has a 7 bands EQ but I haven`t used yet since I`m more focused on technique, my bass has active PU and Eq I think?, also haven`t change strings in about two years since I bought the bass.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Regards!!!

 

[FunkMetalBass]

New strings for starters.

I can't comment on the exact EQ-ing, but I have a feeling that there is a boost in the bass, low mids, and treble, while the upper mids are cut.

 

[MR DRUMS]

New strings for starters.

I can't comment on the exact EQ-ing, but I have a feeling that there is a boost in the bass, low mids, and treble, while the upper mids are cut.

Great! I`ll try that setting.

thanks a lot!

anybody else?????

 

[FunkyLemz]

watch videos of these bands and observe these bassists' technique. playin near the bridge/neck makes a huge difference.....your approach and positioning is significant. change your strings and research to see if maybe some of the bands play w/ flats

 

[MIJ-VI]

First of all I`m new on this forum, so hello everybody!!
I`ve been playing drums for around 19 years now, and started playing bass and taking lessons just a year ago, now that I have quite a decent technique I like some advice on sound, currently I`m using Ampeg SVT3 Pro and a Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 1x15" cabinet (with no pedal or rack fx) and Ibanez SR1000 (made in japan in 1998 according to serial number) which sound awesome!
been playing some Toto, Eagles, Boston, Styx tunes since these are my favorites bands, so the question is how should I Eq both my bass and amp to sound like these bands which actually they all sound kind of similar, should I get a Compressor, Chorus pedals or racks? the amp has a 7 bands EQ but I haven`t used yet since I`m more focused on technique, my bass has active PU and Eq I think?, also haven`t change strings in about two years since I bought the bass.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Regards!!!

Welcome to TalkBass MR DRUMS!

Lessons, a focus on technique, AND you've been playing drums for 19 years? Man, if you've got an ear you're going to be one h3ll of a bass player!

You may wish to learn more about your bass. If it uses an active circuit then understanding how to exploit its EQ will be useful in avoiding on-board EQ abuse-related sound problems. Also, one day its battery will die. These are good:

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As others have mentioned, new strings are in order (if you're using any kind but flat-wounds). If you're using flats then keep them (and make sure that you have spares no matter what kind of strings you use).

As for EQ? A good rule of thumb is to set the amp's (and active bass') EQ flat, turn up the rig so that it's loud enough to blend with the band and allow you to play with a dynamic touch, then tweak the EQ slightly to compensate for adverse room acoustics and/or competition from other instruments.

This approach will amplify your bass' full frequency spectrum in a roughly equal manner (few bass amps yield a perfectly flat response) thus ensuring that it will define well in a mix.

BTW. Most recordings are extensively processed in the studio. IMO you might want to give effects pedals a pass until you can play so well that you don't really need them.

An example: how to make your bass sound a lot like it's being played through a flanger.

While playing a repetitive part, slowly move your plucking/picking hand closer to the bridge until you're plucking the strings near the saddles. Now gradually work your way towards the neck, and then back to the bridge. Repeat this cycle for as long as desired.

As with drums, the core of good bass playing is where it's always been: in one's head, heart, and hands.

Have fun!

 

[bassbenj]

First of all I`m new on this forum, so hello everybody!!
I`ve been playing drums for around 19 years now, and started playing bass and taking lessons just a year ago, now that I have quite a decent technique I like some advice on sound, currently I`m using Ampeg SVT3 Pro and a Mesa Boogie Powerhouse 1x15" cabinet (with no pedal or rack fx) and Ibanez SR1000 (made in japan in 1998 according to serial number) which sound awesome!
been playing some Toto, Eagles, Boston, Styx tunes since these are my favorites bands, so the question is how should I Eq both my bass and amp to sound like these bands which actually they all sound kind of similar, should I get a Compressor, Chorus pedals or racks? the amp has a 7 bands EQ but I haven`t used yet since I`m more focused on technique, my bass has active PU and Eq I think?, also haven`t change strings in about two years since I bought the bass.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Regards!!!

My advice is to start leaning to be a bass player. So. When you play drums do you have someone to tune them for you before you play? Do you use the factory heads because, well, you are more focused on learning rhythms and fills than on how a drum set works? I hope you don't! Point is that if you want to play bass you have to learn what everything does because you want to KNOW what every thing does. There is a difference between flatwound and round wound strings just as there is a difference between hydraulic and Diplomat drumheads. You should KNOW what different string types sound like! You should KNOW what each and every knob on your bass does to the sound. And you should certainly know after playing bass for a year if it takes a battery or not! Read the manuals to your gear. Understand it all. THEN when you hear a certain sound you'll know that if you do this or that you can get that sound! You may have heard "it's all in the fingers", but in truth SOME of it is between the ears!

To get you started I'll note here that basses generally come in two types (No, not "P" and "J") that would be "old school" and "modern". Generally "old school" refers to Fender basses and Fender clone basses. They were widely used on most early rock records of the early era. They still continue to be used but the sound is still pretty much the same. Another thread of bass tone development would be called "modern" This tone is typified by Ibanez models and many more of the soapbar, 5 and 6 string, basses with fancy looks and brighter tone. That places you in the "modern" camp.

That's OK. For example the bass player for the Eagles used to endorse Carvin which would be considered a "modern" bass. But you'll have some difficulty trying to get that "old time" rock and roll sound out of your Ibanez. A bass player I know here in my town does gigs with two basses. He has a cheap Ibanez and Fender Squirer. With those two he covers it all and rocks the house. Why? Because he knows exactly what it takes to get any kind of sound going. He picks the bass, he picks the settings, he picks the playing style and then rocks. Think about this. How is a jazz drum kit, different from a metal kit? What is needed in the various styles? How loud? What pitch? How much ring? And what are the differences in how you PLAY them? All tops and no kick won't work in rock! It all matters and DOES make a difference! EXACTLY the same thing applies when playing bass. Which stated as simply as possible is just "learn to use your ears!"

That's my advice. (Yeah, I play bass and drums...but not at the same time! And by the way, the guy I was talking about above also happens to be a killer drummer as well) Which makes me leave you with my personal note which is that you'll find that playing bass will make you a much better drummer and playing drums will make you a better bassist. The two instruments reinforce each other such that by playing both makes you better at each than you'd be if you only played one of them. At least that was my experience. Good Luck!