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The P doesn't cut through anymore

N

Noot

Guest
Dec 17, 2012
243
50
Romania (Eastern Europe)
#1
Hello,

I'm a die-hard fan of the P bass and we've done very well together. But recently I'm playing in a band with two guitarists who are getting comfortable with their playing in the band, thus have become not necessarily louder, but more prominent. Where I used to hear myself loud and clear, I now get drowned in the mix and I feel like I'm just making mud.

Besides the Fender P I have a 5-string Hohner B Bass V, which has a JJ configuration and a maple body. It is a budget bass, sounds very scooped (maybe partly due to the maple body), but when I play it I can actually cut through much better. Since the Hohner is a second bass and not very nice sounding and I love my Fender P, what should I do to cut through better? EQ down the mids so I give more room to guitars? Get brighter sounding strings? Or should I do what I always feared and change the P for a Jazz Bass :bawl:?
 
#2
Don't give up on your bass. Adjust your EQ, maybe a little chorus. Find your frequency spot and don't be afraid to tell the guitarists to adjust their EQ a little too. If they are in your zone, they are doing a disservice to your band. I had that convo with my guitarist in my last band and it worked.
 
#5
EQ is the best friend of your band. Assuming that FOH is ok , then your band need to work on stage, nothing worst when everybody wants to have their sound not matter what and happens that everybody are on the same sound spectrum.

Check how the guitars sound, maybe they are to bassy, if that the case I would suggest to boost the mids in your amp so you can hear you better.

Tell to the guitarrists the problem and work together in benefit of the band.
 
#6
You can try everything you have listed...EQ the bass to cut into the mix better, change the strings can assist you with the tone, try adding some chorus, etc. You can also switch between the P and a J depending on the sound/tone that your needing between the songs you play...check the classified section!
 
#7
If using the P, try a boost at about 250Hz and another at 3800Hz (or as close as your EQ will get to those freqs). I've heard some players say they cut through well with stainless steel rounds though those can be tough on frets. Others swear by stainless flats (I'm in that group) that emphasize finger attack and the low fundimental spectrum. Other variables include type of amp, speaker config and room resonance.

With the Hohner, try to build up those scooped mids so that the response is again essentially flat -- you can do this by ear, or get ahold of a spectrum analyzer that will show you on a graphic display what your instrument's EQ "looks" like. Then boost again around 250Hz and probably 4000 to 4500Hz. Take 80Hz and below and shelve these freqs...there's not much down there that will allow you to be "heard" better, and you'll just be adding to the mud already in the room.

These are just examples of things I've done, or others have relayed to me via their own experiences. Hope this at least provides you with a starting point.
 
#10
For many years I played in a band with two guitars AND a prominent keyboard player, and never got "lost in the mix."
...and, I played a Jazz; then a Ric; and FINALLY, the Mother of ALL basses... The Precision bass (a sweet-sounding '78).

So... +1 on ALL the above-listed EQing suggestions.

Of all the basses one might experience issues such as these on; the P-Bass is one of the last instruments I'd have expected to hear about.

I mean, I played two gigs with the aforementioned band on an Epiphone Rivoli once; and kicked that thing to the curb QUICKLY! ...talk about a bass that can't be heard, and sounds like mud!

...but, a P-Bass? You should definitely tweak your rig, my friend.

By the way... I have to go back and reread; but, did you ever tell us what you're playing through? ...and, do you have a regular, seasoned sound guy/gal? ...someone who really knows your group? That ABSOLUTELY makes a difference.

Let us know... and, good luck!
 
#11
I recently joined a punk band and found that I was covering up the entire mix with my bass unless I cut my EQ in the 200-800 Hz range. Sometimes scooped tone helps. I find the high end of the low mids in the 200-400 Hz range can really muddy things up if the mix is already heavy.
 
#13
Fuzzbass said:
That's the main reason I prefer not to play in bands with two guitarists. It's hard enough to find one guitarist who isn't too loud and gobbling up all the sonic space. The chances of finding two like that are practically nil. :ninja:
Click to expand...

Agreed! Power trio is the way to go. I used to hide behind the rhythm guitarist, now I'm always prominent. You might ask the guitar players to eq out some of the bottom end as well and leave some space for you. What style/genre are you playing?
 
#14
To the OP, what pickup do you have on your P bass?

Appropriate EQing and workng with your guitarists and soundman would definitely make a big difference. At the same time, if you dont mind laying out some cash, you could further take the bull by the horn by installing a pickup with higher output. Or better yet, trade for a G&L SB2, which posseses fundamentals so prominent that it could shatter the self-esteem of any guitarist.

It'll make your guitarists go :crying:, while you :bassist:
 
#15
By my experience this is a musician/band issue and not an instrument issue. Tell your guitarists not to be so bassy and all of you must be aware of the final mix and not of each instrument's sound seperately.
 
#17
The only time I have to spend more time EQ'ing my rig with a Precision is when my numbskull guitarists decide to both use humbucker equipped Les Paul/PRS guitars. They were both also using Marshall as well for a bit until I finally gave my "You're only allowed to use single coils and a blackface when the other guy is using buckers and a Marshall...please and thank you." speech. All kidding aside, it's almost never an issue with a Precision and is the main reason its about the only bass I'll play anymore (for now).
 
#18
Thanks guys, this is very useful stuff! As for the details, there are two rehearsal rooms, one has a SWR Working Pro 700 and two Hartke 410 cabinets, the other has an Ampeg SVT-4 Pro with an Ampeg 410 and an Ampeg 115. We play classic rock covers and are working on originals which also have a classic sound to them. One guitarist has a Squier Strat which is impossible to EQ, has massive bass on one pick-up and thin sound on the other two. He uses a Peavey tube head with Marshall cabinet. I tell him to turn down the bass and up the mids on each rehearsal... The other guitarist uses either a Gibson SG or a Fender Strat and a Marshall half stack. I will try all of your suggestions, except for getting a Jazz just yet :)

L.E. I have a Seymour Duncan SPB-1 Vintage pick-up
 
#20
just dont listen "cut the bass and boost the mids" especially if you re playing against two guitarist. tell THEM to cut lows. change the strings. play with more attack.
I am sure that would work.
 

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