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The search for tighter bass?
- Thread starter ric4682
- Start date
That was my first thought, too. A switch to a smaller cab would require less time and air to push, hence, should sort your problem out.
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
Start at the start by addressing the mid scoop from using both pickups at once, they'll always be out of phase somewhere in the mids.
This is false. Small cabs/drivers can be just as flubby as larg ones.
I'm located in northern Michigan...pretty desolate. I can't goose the mids much more than I am now. I'm also already cutting some bass and if I cut anymore it'll sound empty. I will try the compressor out though this weekend.
Probably the amp design. It's supposed to be a little more vintage right? Have you played with boosting low mids much? They punch more.
If you want to experience an amp with rapid low end plug into a Carbine if you ever have the opportunity.
If you want to experience an amp with rapid low end plug into a Carbine if you ever have the opportunity.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Have you tried not playing a 4003 through the rig? If I was looking for "huge low end" that would not be my first option.
Don't buy into the notion that 10" speakers are going to make the low end any tighter. It sounds logical on the surface, but with modern speaker design, any size can sound like just about anything.
You may even like sealed cabs. Try a lot of different cabs if possible.
You may even like sealed cabs. Try a lot of different cabs if possible.
I haven't tried a any other basses with my amp. But that's my only bass..and I love it with a burning passion. It may be the bass but I believe people have gotten big punchy tones from Rics before. (Geddy?)
I don't think I've tried sealed cabs before, I never thought of that. That's definitely an option.
I don't think I've tried sealed cabs before, I never thought of that. That's definitely an option.
Well no design, whether ported or sealed, nor speaker size dependent is going to be a cookie cutter solution, because there are so many variables in this equation.
Still, I think checking your EQ points, gain stage and compression is worth looking into as it may be a simpler solution. When you boost the lows but increase compression the lows will tighten up, by design.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Geddy's tone was big and punchy, but it lacked low-end when he was using the Rick. I wouldn't call it "huge low end." If you are going to try changing the amp or cab, you should at least consider it might not be the rig. I would imagine if you pumped a Stingray through that thing you would be rolling the bass knock back (on the bass and the amp.)
Do you listen to Spock's Beard? Dave Meros is a huge Rick guy with a very distinct tone. During their song "At the end of the day" Dave uses three basses. Primarily his Rick, and a DB for one section. But when he needs big low-end for a funk breakdown, he tosses the Rick. I cannot remember what he uses, but I think you get my point. I actually thought it was the absolute funkiest I had ever heard a Rick be, just a huge low end without losing definition... then I was told he used three basses on the track and it really made sense.
I am not saying tossing the Rick. It is fantastic and very deserving of your love. I am saying get more basses.
Oh, I know the Ric is no perfect creation. (Weird bridge design among other things)
But it's been my only bass for 7 years and I've only been paying for 13 so over half of my playing career has been on this instrument. I'm scared I'll find something I like more, it's stupid.
But it's been my only bass for 7 years and I've only been paying for 13 so over half of my playing career has been on this instrument. I'm scared I'll find something I like more, it's stupid.
Any "Open Mics" in your area? Around here, you bring your bass and plug into their rig. May be a way for you to sample some gear. And, as a bonus, it is in a live setting rather than a store somewhere.
This is about where I am on my PF-800 (I user the #3 with the mid at 2:00) and a little more bass like 1:30. I don't notice any "slowness" or unresponsiveness.
- May 9, 2008
- 4,081
- 1,236
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Springvale Studios
It might be very useful to try an Fdeck, That can take out a lot of uncontrolled fubbyness.
I used a Ricky for years but I was more your clanking upper mid tone with very little real low bass I was after, I tended to go for sealed Hiwatt 4x12 cabs with ev12l's in, a la mode Steve Harris.
But that was a long while back and Hiwatt Dr 201's where cheap as chips.
I used a Ricky for years but I was more your clanking upper mid tone with very little real low bass I was after, I tended to go for sealed Hiwatt 4x12 cabs with ev12l's in, a la mode Steve Harris.
But that was a long while back and Hiwatt Dr 201's where cheap as chips.
If you haven't already, you might try Fender 9050M strings. On a Fender Jazz bass, at least, I found the tone "big and punchy".
Rics have a distinct tone that folks kind of either like or don't like.
+1 to messing with pickup balance. Biased one way or the other but not both the exact same level.
Try something that adds a hint of grit/dirt/upper harmonics to the tone. Will still sound "clean" in a band mix even though it's a little "hairy" on it's own.
Sealed cabs?
+1 to messing with pickup balance. Biased one way or the other but not both the exact same level.
Try something that adds a hint of grit/dirt/upper harmonics to the tone. Will still sound "clean" in a band mix even though it's a little "hairy" on it's own.
Sealed cabs?
- May 9, 2008
- 4,081
- 1,236
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Springvale Studios
Well that's just cheating! but yeah that's sort of where I ended up after Rickenbacker, except mines a Doug Wilks copy with a sexy sliding Nordstrand pickup and an Aguillar pre.
