My tone at lower volumes

[PeaveyPlayer]

So EQing should be done at higher volumes rather than the low?

 

[Passinwind]

So EQing should be done at higher volumes rather than the low?

If needed, it should be done at whatever volume you are actually playing at. Link Removed

 

[TMARK]

So EQing should be done at higher volumes rather than the low?

That's what I do, but I really only have b/m/t and gain.

 

[ZenG]

I run into that all the time at home.

First off the room/room size/ room materials you're playing in makes quite a difference.

I can set all the EQ knobs to where I want them practising/soloing....then I put a recording on and crank the volume 1/2 half increment on the dial (say 3 to 3 1/2) and it all goes out the window sonically.

I can often get a fatter lusher tone at low volumes....but any slight increase in volume changes it considerably.

 

[CatSquare]

I didn't like the power section on my previous amplifier, sounded really harsh, I opted to run the pre from that amp into a different power amp and the results were far far better.

 

[deathness]

This is the bizarro world version of my volume issues: my tone doesnt sound right till my amps are cranked.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I'm running a crown xls2500 and Marcus Miller pre amp

 

[spaz21387]

I cant find a tone i like at low volumes only because my svt/810 doesnt really do quiet... even at its lowest setting with the volume on my bass low its still pretty loud!

 

[rtslinger]

I think at lower volume you get less of the bass guitar's natural over tunes, once you start bringing up the volume these start to become more prevalent in your tone.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Tone is subjective, as is your hearing as you age.
What is "you" is how it feels...that is you, your "sound" is as much your feel....you will always "sound like you no matter what amp or bass you use.
Go to any show where front of house is being used...that tone is the enginner, but the feel of it is you.

 

[Steve Dallman]

The bandwidth of some speakers narrows when the speakers are pushed hard. I have not had this happen with bass speakers that I've noticed, but it's rather common with guitar speakers. Fender used Fender branded Eminence Legends in many popular guitar amps, like the Hot Rod Deluxes, Blues Deluxes, DRRI's and many others. These speakers have classic, Jensen/Fender tones. However, when the speakers are pushed to speaker breakup, the bandwidth narrows and they can get "spitty." For this reason they got a bad reputation. I was never able to drive them that loud, and still love them.

This could be happening to some extent.

Another guitar amp phenomenon, common with blackface and silverface Fenders is that they get woofy when the volume is turned up. This is because of the F-M curve. Set them up for full tone at lower volumes, and as you turn up, and your ears are more sensitive to low end, the bass has to be reduced to match the tone at lower volumes. Perfectly normal.

 

[Doner Designs]

Our ears hear differently at higher volumes vs low. At low volumes we don't hear lows and highs as well and therefore a mid scoop sounds better at low volumes.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

So EQing should be done at higher volumes rather than the low?

You need to EQ it at the level you will be playing and in the room you will be playing in. Typically at low levels, your ear doesn't hear the bass and treble as well and people often like a mid-scooped sound at "bedroom" levels. When playing with a group though at higher levels that scooped-mids sound gets you lost in the mix and you can easily hear the lows and highs. At higher levels, I'd suggest running your bass and treble EQ at flat (usually 12 o'clock, straight up) and boost up your low-mids a bit.

Now different rooms will either suck out or reinforce different frequencies. I've played rooms where I had to cut the bass and pull my amp away from the back wall and corner because the stage and the room reinforced the lows. So I moved my amp and cut the bass EQ a bit. Then in another room that had no curtains, drapes or much of anything to absorb sound, I had to cut both my high-mids and my treble.

So, unfortunately a lot depends upon where you are playing and the volume you are playing.