Hi. New here, and I'm a hobby bassist. I've had an old fender music master bass short scale for years. Really the only bass I had ever really played on. Recently acquired a Sterling ray4 and am trying to find the right strings for the sound I want. The active electronics are a new thing for me. Have a Fender Rumble 100 amp. No matter how I set the eq, bass and amp, it just isn't bass-ey enough. Can anyone recommend a set of strings that are warm and dry that will give me a deeper tone, with less punch? I got the bass in July, and have already tried 3 different sets, and everything is twangy. Do I need to add an eq pedal or something to tone it down a bit. I am at a loss. Never added a pedal for bass before. Is this a common problem with the active electronics?
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Looking for suggestions.
- Thread starter Brian Nealon
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Welcome to TB 
Active electronics typically (and this is the case with your sterling) refers to having an internal preamplifier which allows you to boost or cut particular frequency ranges (so an EQ essentially). The pickup itself is passive. Your bass has a 2-band active EQ so you can boost/cut in the bass and the treble. Those knobs should have a middle detent which is the zero spot (no boost or cut). Sweep the knob around and you should feel the center point (the volume knob will not have that).
How are you setting the controls now? Usually the EQ knobs are not meant to be turned all the way up or down, but to make gentle shaping adjustments. Sounds like you might want to cut the treble a bit, and boost the bass. I'd start with the EQ knobs centered and experiment from there.
I hope that helps, I've been really impressed with the value for money those Sterling basses give you.
Active electronics typically (and this is the case with your sterling) refers to having an internal preamplifier which allows you to boost or cut particular frequency ranges (so an EQ essentially). The pickup itself is passive. Your bass has a 2-band active EQ so you can boost/cut in the bass and the treble. Those knobs should have a middle detent which is the zero spot (no boost or cut). Sweep the knob around and you should feel the center point (the volume knob will not have that).
How are you setting the controls now? Usually the EQ knobs are not meant to be turned all the way up or down, but to make gentle shaping adjustments. Sounds like you might want to cut the treble a bit, and boost the bass. I'd start with the EQ knobs centered and experiment from there.
I hope that helps, I've been really impressed with the value for money those Sterling basses give you.
Last edited:
Welcome!
some thoughts:
-engage the contour and/or vintage button.
-drop the treble on the amp & bass, hi-mid on the amp.
-pluck up towards the neck
-what are the strings? May be time for a treatment...
Eucerin Skin Cream Kills Strings DEAD!!!
Good luck!
some thoughts:
-engage the contour and/or vintage button.
-drop the treble on the amp & bass, hi-mid on the amp.
-pluck up towards the neck
-what are the strings? May be time for a treatment...
Eucerin Skin Cream Kills Strings DEAD!!!
Good luck!
Thanks. I'll give that a shot. Already almost bottoming out the treble on both and the high miss on the amp. I'll give the buttons a shot. I don't use skin cream. My hands laugh at any lotion. Right now I have Curt Mangin strings on. Had hybrid slinky's before that and before that whatever was on it when I got it. Any string suggestions, that aren't flat wound that'll deaden the sound a bit?
Probably GHS Pressurewounds for a “broken in round” sound. And don’t neglect playing over the neck- that’s my go-to spot for a round, warm sound with very little string attack to it.
I've played flats with foam under the strings at the bridge forever.
Stuff a sock under the strings, at the bridge, and see if that gets you close to what you want. If so go flats with foam.
All I got......
Stuff a sock under the strings, at the bridge, and see if that gets you close to what you want. If so go flats with foam.
All I got......
