• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

MUDDY BASS..

#4
What kind of bass do you have? What amp?
Your strings could be "dead". The pick-up height may need adjusted upwards.
Your amp settings may be too bassy. Possible pick-up and/or pot problems.
You need to be a little more specific.
 
#7
I'm having mud problems too. I run a MIM Fender Jazz though a mesa boogie walkabout scout . I just put new custom shop 60s jazz pickups and Marcus miller dr strings on the bass. How should I set my tone/mod my bass?
 
#8

Muddy sound is often the result of an abnormal peak in response. It can be caused by the speaker, the room, the particular instrument, or a combination of all three.

The best way to deal with it is with a parametric EQ. First set all EQ on your pre amp to flat, then dial in a 1/3-octave filter on the parametric EQ, and boost ~6 to 8 dB. Strike a note on the bass – an open E string or fretted at G, for instance, and sweep the EQ’s frequency knob from 30 Hz upwards. When the frequency knob hits the right spot, you’ll hear the sound really “jump” out in a big way.

If this happens, you’ve found the “hot spot” that’s probably causing the muddy sound (it will probably be somewhere below 200 Hz). Adjust the EQ gain knob for back down to a negative value, just enough to stop the “boom” and tighten up the sound. It’ll probably be somewhere in -6dB range, although it could well be more or less than that. It might also help to experiment with the bandwidth setting as well.

This excercise can also be accomplished with a graphic EQ, but not nearly as accurately.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Tobias Club
Pedulla Club #45
Big Cabs Club #23
Tobias Club

 
#9
WayneP said:

Muddy sound is often the result of an abnormal peak in response. It can be caused by the speaker, the room, the particular instrument, or a combination of all three.

The best way to deal with it is with a parametric EQ. First set all EQ on your pre amp to flat, then dial in a 1/3-octave filter on the parametric EQ, and boost ~6 to 8 dB. Strike a note on the bass – an open E string or fretted at G, for instance, and sweep the EQ’s frequency knob from 30 Hz upwards. When the frequency knob hits the right spot, you’ll hear the sound really “jump” out in a big way.

If this happens, you’ve found the “hot spot” that’s probably causing the muddy sound (it will probably be somewhere below 200 Hz). Adjust the EQ gain knob for back down to a negative value, just enough to stop the “boom” and tighten up the sound. It’ll probably be somewhere in -6dB range, although it could well be more or less than that. It might also help to experiment with the bandwidth setting as well.

This excercise can also be accomplished with a graphic EQ, but not nearly as accurately.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Tobias Club
Pedulla Club #45
Big Cabs Club #23
Tobias Club
Click to expand...
+1000. there's no faster way to find it and fix it than a parametric eq.

Randy
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back