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SUB Ray4 too dark

#21
Lobster11 said:
Since you already have a HPF I would at least give that a try: It's free and simple. Maybe getting rid of some of the low lows will help balance out the tone.
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It does help clean up the low bass but then there's the dullness of the E string. I could boost the treble to compensate but I feel that these are just band-aids to a problem I could fix.
 
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#22
socknroll1 said:
I have a modded Ray4 from several years back. Mine took a little work to get a tone I like. Here's what I do:

Volume 100%
Bass knob 100%
Treble knob 50-100% depending on song

Amp gain turned all the way back to 0% (to prevent clipping) - and/or use a -10dB pad if your amp has one
EQ on amp to taste, such as cutting low frequencies here

Definitely a different animal than passive and Fender-style basses, but it sounds great in its own way.
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Thanks but I think cutting the treble in relation to the bass would only make the tone darker. I keep the volume at 100% then bass at 50% / treble at 50%.
This bass produces so much low end already that it's pure dub if I boost the bass even a little on the pre amp. Then it's even more lows to cut at the amp.
 
#24
Iristone said:
Sounds like the strings themselves aren't consistent? May I suggest some Rotoaound 66's to try, they are nice and bright, with a remarkably even tone across all strings.
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Thanks nit it feels like it's every set of strings, I can't imagine that the same problem would be so consistent across different brands/gauges/etc.
 
#25
tpaul said:
You could also check the pot values. Generally, I'd use 500k rather than 250k for a humbucker. Raising the resistance lets more highs through.

I'm not implying that your bass has the wrong pots, I have no idea what was used in these. Just something to check.
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Hadn't thought of that, definitely worth a look. Maybe they are wrong, I bought it second hand, maybe the previous guy did some DIY.
 
#26
Five or Six said:
Sorry for the problems! I bought a 5 HH Sub a couple of weeks ago out of curiosity and, it definitely holds it's own. I did my usual 2 day setup, checking every screw (especially the bridge & neck) to include new strings, as usual. It runs right in the pack with my big dogs. Plenty of output! I was surprised at what I heard. I'm gigging it for the next 3 nights. I have no qualms about it whatsoever. Make sure you check your blend.

Tap the pickup with a metal object to make sure both sides are working? Adjust accordingly. If you don't have a solution, can you return it for another one slating output issues? Maybe I got a fluke, dunno but, I'm satisfied.
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They usually have a good rep so I jumped on one when I got the chance.
I've done my set up like usual, everything looks good and depending on the song it has it's moments but it just doesn't do the aggressive sound everyone talks about.
 
#28
bigdaddybass12 said:
Does the headstock say "SUB" or Ray4? The sun is the early version, ray 4 is the current. My ray4 i bought new in 2019. I lowered the 4th string side of the P/U. I use Ernie ball regular slinky's, both tones at 75%. I do drop the mids down on the amp.
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It says SUB on the headstock, it's one of the older ones. I've lower the pickup, the last set of strings were EB Slinkys as well.
 
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