My overly bright bass

[Big Jelly]

This morning during a church set of 4 somewhat mellow songs, I really struggled with string noise from my fingers as I changed chords.

My bass just seemed really bright. It’s an active,jazz looking ESP/LTD. I used a compressor for the first time live, with everything set to 12 noon. There are passive and active input jacks on the amp, and I used the passive in an attempt to soften the sound. Just felt like I was battling the instrument the whole time.

It’s got round wounds on it, so I’m going to try half rounds, which I have seen lots of love and hate for around here. Apart from changing strings and adjusting the tone knobs on the bass itself, are there any other things that I should try? Maybe with the compressor or technique?

Any and all ideas appreciated. I’m new at performing in front of people; it’s much easier to make mistakes and adjustments in my home! Thanks in advance...

 

[murmur70]

You need to plug into the active input of your amp. It cuts your signal by ~15db depending on the amp. That is what it is for to keep your signal from being too hot. Your thinking on using the passive input is backwards.

 

[Big Jelly]

I will definitely do that. Thank you!

 

[ddnidd1]

Compressor settings at Noon mean nothing.

You need to understand how the compressor functions in order to get desirable results..

 

[Killed_by_Death]

flats

 

[saabfender]

I don’t love the idea of abandoning rounds if that’s your playing preference for the sake of defeating your brightness dragon.

I’m going to take a stab and suggest you sink the pickups as low as you can into the body. My observation is most folks buying the ESP/LTD instruments are playing metal so it makes sense that they’d be set up to favor that style.

To that point, I’d lower the action if it’s not all the way down now. Higher action accentuates brightness.

Maybe even crack open the back and see if there’s some sort of trim pot on the electronics.

If all that fails, accept that as the sound of the bass and twist some knobs on the amp.

I personally find flats that aren’t new and clean absolutely disgusting.

 

[jd56hawk]

Or tapewounds.
Your ears will love them , so will your fingers.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...Apart from ..... adjusting the tone knobs on the bass itself, are there any other things that I should try?..

Did you actually roll down the tone control? Does it work? Did you hear anything change?

 

[Trouztrouz]

Where's that guy who would shellac his strings when you need him?

Edit: here we are Aging your strings

 

[Rob Martinez]

Sounds like you may have the wrong bass for the gig. But if it is what it is, turn the treble down on your amp, and turn your tone knob down on your bass, and use the pick up closest to the neck. And play up near the neck. Good luck!

 

[Stumbo]

Check this out before you do anything:
Broughton HPF + LPF - wow!

 

[Stumbo]

I personally find flats that aren’t new and clean absolutely disgusting.

Tell us how you really feel!

Phobia much?

 

[saabfender]

Phobia much?

If someone is unnerved by the sensation of their hand in a bowl of wet spaghetti, is it because they are afraid of something?

 

[roller]

+1 on rolling the tone back.

 

[trevcda]

....I used a compressor for the first time live...

And yet everybody's solution to fix the issue is to change anything and everything, except the compressor.

You need to understand how the compressor functions in order to get desirable results..

This. First define exactly what you are expecting it to do. Second learn how to dial it in so it has no affect (neutral) on your signal. Third learn what each control does and how it interacts with the other controls and then adjust it to achieve the desired results. Presets and "suggested settings" rarely get you where you want to be. Even less so if you don't know where it is exactly that you want to be. Your make up gain is likely the culprit. If you really want help, you might want to provide specific information about the equipment you are using.

 

[mpdd]

old dunlop nickels

 

[saabfender]

And yet everybody's solution to fix the issue is to change anything and everything, except the compressor.

I'm aware of no compressor that makes the tone brighter, esp. to point of being overly-bright. Not being a jerk but if you know one that does, what is it so I can look into it. Compressors shave off transients, which is where most of the high frequency content lives. Ones that minimize this loss or downplay it in attractive ways are typically "good" compressors. Ones that minimize it ways characterized as dull or cloudy are typically "Behringer" compressors.

Seriously, I'd like to find one that makes a bass guitar tone bright.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Compressor is only going to make that string noise louder. Roll back the tone knob, try some flats, ditch or dial back the compressor.

 

[toowrongfoo]

flats

Except for one problem, many upon many Gospel greats use roundwounds. I'm of the mind that I don't have enough information but I feel that the compressor (which I don't even know which one) is over emphasizing. That can be almost like a gain addition if used incorrectly.

 

[toowrongfoo]

I'm aware of no compressor that makes the tone brighter, esp. to point of being overly-bright. Not being a jerk but if you know one that does, what is it so I can look into it. Compressors shave off transients, which is where most of the high frequency content lives. Ones that minimize this loss or downplay it in attractive ways are typically "good" compressors. Ones that minimize it ways characterized as dull or cloudy are typically "Behringer" compressors.

Seriously, I'd like to find one that makes a bass guitar tone bright.

I hear you, but like I said it overly "emphasis" things in many cases.

My suggestion, FWIW, is please tell (with pics if possible) what you are using and your settings. Can give a world of information.