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The search for tighter bass?

ric4682

ric4682

Supporting Member
Jul 2, 2008
1,558
1,781
#1
So I play a 4003 through a PF800 and two PF115LF's. I love the huge thick tone I get. So warm and manly.. But it seems like it's..slow.
I want huge low end since I play in a power trio jam band sort of thing and need to take up a lot of space and fill out the bottom but I also want definition. Sometimes my tone is a little slow and unresponsive.
I usually play with a lot of mids and cut just a little bass since my bass itself provides a baddy tone, slightly scooped tone.
I guess what I'm asking is: Is the PF800 a punchy amp or a warmer, slower amp? Same for the cabs.
 
#2
I would say that the PF-500/800 is a pretty versitle amp. You might try cutting the bass, and boosting some upper mids. What are your settings like? Gain, comp, eq? The PF-115LF isnt the brightest cab, but should be able to give you some presence if you boost the mids.
 
#3
I've got the bass at 11:00, mids at 3:00 or a little more, treble at about 1:00 or 2:00 depending on stuff.
I keep going back and forth between the 2nd and 3rd setting on the mid selector trying to decide which one I like better.
 
#5
I find my ShuttleMax 9.2 to have the tightest low end control I've ever gotten from an amp. There are a lot of variables that go into getting that though. I'm not saying you should swap amps by any means. Sometimes a good compressor can tighten up the lows. Also maybe look into an F-Deck HPF.
 
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#9
Mr. Foxen said:
Rick has the rick-o-sound. Put the neck pup through the rig you have, and bridge one through a guitar combo for definition.
Click to expand...

I guess the issue isn't that I don't have enough high end, my Ric dishes out plenty of high end, its in the low end. It feels syrupy or something. It's hard to describe.
It gets *a little* better when I roll the tone all the down.
 
#11
Perhaps you should also be looking for string recommendations. The right strings and gauges will help balance your tone and help with definition. I use TI JF344's flats on my 4003. They are good for my needs, maybe not yours.
 
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#12
I've used the TI's and while I love the tone they're just a hair too light since my band plays half a step down. I'm currently using GHS round core boomers since they are easy to play, but more importantly have a strong midrange presence.
I've tried everything from heavies to super lights. Flats, nickel and stainless rounds.
I do appreciate the tip though. And those flats are sooooo nice.
 
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#14
ric4682 said:
I guess the issue isn't that I don't have enough high end, my Ric dishes out plenty of high end, its in the low end. It feels syrupy or something. It's hard to describe.
It gets *a little* better when I roll the tone all the down.
Click to expand...

Definition is all in the midrange. With both pickups on into same amp, its scooping some mids. So you have highs that's mostly string noise, and lows, but the middle bit has a hole that gives the slow sound.
 
#15
I keep my mids knob at least 3/4 of the way up all the time. There's DEFINITELY midrange in my tone. You're super right about midrange being the key to definition. My tone used to be 10x worse when I was using a BDDI. It's almost perfect, I just need to tighten it up and I'll be a happy boy.
 

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