Hi Talk Bass, loving this forum and this is my first post.
A little background, I'm an upright bassist (orchestra, jazz, folk, etc.) who recently accepted a gig for a musical which uses both upright and electric. I own an electric and I am fairly competent so I figured go for it, there is no time like the present! The show is a typical musical with some latin, jazz, rock and funky grooves.
Anyway, I am coming to you all for some advice on how to improve the sound I am getting with my equipment. I am not getting enough high range, the sound is kind of dull and the front of the note is fuzzy, not articulate. No pop.
Bass: 1982 Peavey t-40, the 3 way toggle is snapped off and I intend to replace it. I know which part to use thanks to this forum! From reading I believe the 3 way toggle allows me to choose the pickup. It's possible that it is stuck in the bridge pickup-only mode and I might get some more high end out of the neck pickup. I have read that it can be a fairly versatile instrument but the only two options I can coax out of the pots and toggles are 1) a little bit country and 2) a little bit rock n' roll.
Amp: a Crate B160xl with EQ sliders, a pre-shape control and both a high and low boost setting. (Here's the manual with full details Link Removed). Even EQing it up, I am not getting enough treble, it is way too thumpy and boomy.
Strings: round-wound steel, they are about 10 years old and hardly played. I am very willing to get some new strings.
Can anyone offer some advice working with the equipment I currently have? The show is in a month, then I intend to reevaluate my need for electric bass and I would be willing to invest in some different equipment at that point.
I look forward to your advice and I hope you're not laughing at me!
A little background, I'm an upright bassist (orchestra, jazz, folk, etc.) who recently accepted a gig for a musical which uses both upright and electric. I own an electric and I am fairly competent so I figured go for it, there is no time like the present! The show is a typical musical with some latin, jazz, rock and funky grooves.
Anyway, I am coming to you all for some advice on how to improve the sound I am getting with my equipment. I am not getting enough high range, the sound is kind of dull and the front of the note is fuzzy, not articulate. No pop.
Bass: 1982 Peavey t-40, the 3 way toggle is snapped off and I intend to replace it. I know which part to use thanks to this forum! From reading I believe the 3 way toggle allows me to choose the pickup. It's possible that it is stuck in the bridge pickup-only mode and I might get some more high end out of the neck pickup. I have read that it can be a fairly versatile instrument but the only two options I can coax out of the pots and toggles are 1) a little bit country and 2) a little bit rock n' roll.
Amp: a Crate B160xl with EQ sliders, a pre-shape control and both a high and low boost setting. (Here's the manual with full details Link Removed). Even EQing it up, I am not getting enough treble, it is way too thumpy and boomy.
Strings: round-wound steel, they are about 10 years old and hardly played. I am very willing to get some new strings.
Can anyone offer some advice working with the equipment I currently have? The show is in a month, then I intend to reevaluate my need for electric bass and I would be willing to invest in some different equipment at that point.
I look forward to your advice and I hope you're not laughing at me!
