Low B not cutting through

[Beton_Soldat]

Hey guys!

I had a show the other day and anytime I played my low B string it didn't 'boom' as much as I wanted it too. Are there and EQ settings I could adjust to help?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

more info required: Bass / amp would help.

 

[CapnSev]

more info required: Bass / amp would help.

+1

It's on of these, or it's the setup of your bass, or your strings.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Going to need more info....

For example:

1. What bass?
2. What amp/cab?
3. What kind of venue/room/stage/etc?

Edit: wow, you guys are quick!

 

[nostatic]

bah - clearly another phase-of-the-moon issue. Very overlooked here on TB...

 

[Hugh Jass]

bah - clearly another phase-of-the-moon issue. Very overlooked here on TB...

Oh I see, like the tides! He must have been playing the show during a new moon thereby making the low notes thin and anemic.

Makes perfect sense.

 

[Rockmusician]

Low B is tough because the frequencies are so low that not only can they be difficult to hear, but some amps and cabinets are not designed to handle those frequencies. There are many pro bassists who do not play 5 strings basses for this reason. They feel that it doesn't cut through. Try boosting your highs and mids.

 

[Beton_Soldat]

I play an sr505fbm through a 400h head and a traynor cab. Can't member the name but it gas one 15 inch and two 10 inch speakers

 

[Ric5]

Hey guys!

I had a show the other day and anytime I played my low B string it didn't 'boom' as much as I wanted it too. Are there and EQ settings I could adjust to help?

The room was large enough for the low frequencies to develop.

And if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.



Yes this post is a joke!!!

 

[nostatic]

There are many pro bassists who do not play 5 strings basses for this reason. They feel that it doesn't cut through. Try boosting your highs and mids.

uh. Right.

 

[jsingles]

While a larger room means theres room for the bass to develop and reach far back, it does also mean that you mean not hear that so well on stage so well. Your bass may have sounded wonderful in the crowd but weak on the stage.

 

[Beton_Soldat]

It was a very small space. Not big in the least.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

It was a very small space. Not big in the least.

Ric5 was joking- bass doesn't take any distance to "develop." If it did, headphones wouldn't work.
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=999

 

[Beton_Soldat]

Oh lol. I didn't think it did I just wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or playing off my ignorance aha.

 

[elgecko]

Does the pickup-to-string spacing on the B-side and the G-side differ much?

 

[Sundogue]

Sometimes less is more. There are times when in a given room the acoustics play with your sound and you will actually gain more tone and cutting ability on the low B by playing it lighter than usual.

I find the low B to be a string that sings when plucked lighter relative to the other strings and absolutely suffocates itself when played the same or harder in an attempt to be heard better.

Just a thought.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

You could have in fact been in a spot where you wouldn't have heard the bass well.

 

[Beton_Soldat]

I was infrint of the amp lol

 

[Munjibunga]

Low B is tough because the frequencies are so low that not only can they be difficult to hear, but some amps and cabinets are not designed to handle those frequencies. There are many pro bassists who do not play 5 strings basses for this reason. They feel that it doesn't cut through. Try boosting your highs and mids.

Actually most pro bassists are moving away from fours and going to fives. In fact, I can't think of a single pro bassist who is playing a four-string any more. I'm not a pro, yet even my B strings cut through. It's about knowing how to EQ your gear.

 

[Beton_Soldat]

I know that's what I'm asking aha. I don't know how to EQ really.