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Should I change my setup?
- Thread starter Ishmael_22
- Start date
Why do you believe that this is necessary to get a more thumpy deep sound...rather than eq'ing a more thumpy sound in your current rig?
15's do NOT automatically have more low end then 10's.
In fact, many 4X10's go lower and get louder then most 15's.
In fact, many 4X10's go lower and get louder then most 15's.
The only reason i would dump a 410 is because i can’t move it. ( or blown speakers of course)
EQ will not make something sound like something it’s not.
Maybe some can go lower, but in reality it’s the exception rather than the rule.
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OP, what is your definition of "thump"? Is it 50's through 70's old school bass thump with flatwound strings? Or is it a thick tone with a bunch of subwoofer boom? There is no harm in trying to achieve that with the rig you have. What are your settings on the head and on your bass? Is there a specific genre/artist you are trying to emulate? This could be a simple as changing your strings to flatwounds.
I can get a thumpy Motown tone out of my Marshall c50 guitar amp. String choice is a very important element to achieving that tone (La Bella is king in this department, but you can persuade most brands to give some essence of thump). Like the poster above said, some setups (like round-wounds) will give a nice, low bloom that is sooo smooth whereas flats, generally, are punch-in-the-gut thump with quick decay.
Technique is crucial as well. A string setup could help you get the tone you want, but I can make a bass thump whether high or low action by changing my attack from an upwards pull to a more horizontal pull. I try to channel Jamerson’s hook by pulling the string and immediately (very quickly) releasing it from the tips of my fingers. After awhile you get the feel for what makes the bass go thump.
High, low action...doesn’t seem to matter unless you are one of those super low action guys then, yes, you might need to raise the strings a bit to avoid fret rattle, but you don’t need some crazy setup to achieve a thumpy bass.
Technique is crucial as well. A string setup could help you get the tone you want, but I can make a bass thump whether high or low action by changing my attack from an upwards pull to a more horizontal pull. I try to channel Jamerson’s hook by pulling the string and immediately (very quickly) releasing it from the tips of my fingers. After awhile you get the feel for what makes the bass go thump.
High, low action...doesn’t seem to matter unless you are one of those super low action guys then, yes, you might need to raise the strings a bit to avoid fret rattle, but you don’t need some crazy setup to achieve a thumpy bass.
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What bass do you play and with what strings? Those can at least as big a factor as your amp (especially strings).
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Changing from more, 1/2 aluminum speakers, to less 1/2 aluminum speakers isn't going to do that for you. You want thumps? Go on guitar center, and by that used k115. It's designed as a fundamental bass cabinet. As in, it's voiced to add pretty much nothing but thump as an extension cab.
If you just want more low end than you're getting, get another hd410.
Hartke isn't really known for "thump," but maybe just cut some of the treble? Those amps put out plenty to spare.
I'd put flats on your bass first and see if that's thumpy enough.
15's won't necessarily get you more low end or thump than a good 410. My Epifani 410 had more low end than the SWR 410 I had and it was clean low end which made it easier to hear. It had way more low end than my Ampeg 115 which was woolly, less clear and didn't go as low, which made it more difficult to hear, and more low end than my Mesa Boogie 115 EV powerhouse cab.
This is could cost you a lot of cash without getting you the right result so I'd stick with your current rig until you try flats.
I'd suggest GHS or Labella flats.
I'm using the D'Addario ETB92-5 Medium Black Nylon Tapewound strings on my 5 string Squier Classic Vibe '70 Jazz bass.
