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unhappy with my tone
- Thread starter Billy Lowe
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Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Exactly. You can change the sound of a bass dramatically with technique. I get all kinds of sounds out of bass guitars that aren't supposed to sound like I get 'em to sound. Thump from a Thunderbird and snarl from an EB-2, for example. I generally play Gibson bass guitars and Gibson style bass guitars, and I have never had a problem getting a usable tone from them. It's a technique thing, and if you can get a variety of sounds out of an Epi EB-0, then you will be well served no matter what you end up with later on.
I beg to differ with those suggesting upgrading the amp first. Crate amps are OK, it's the EB-0 that's the problem. That Gibson design has super muddy pickups. Get a Fender style bass and you'll be happier. Take your EB0 to a store and try it against some Fender-style basses and I think you will hear what you are looking for.
If you have the money just buy a Squier Mike Dirnt bass (used about $300) and be done with it
Lots of good advice in this thread, but I think this is the best answer. Get yourself a good Squier P-bass and some bright strings. Leave the amp alone for now until you decide you need something BIGGER.
Didn't read all the comments,and advice,but I have been playing bass guitar,for over 39 years. I will have to say,it is the technique,and the player,that sets the tone. Believe me,I have tried a lot of different bass guitars,and amps searching for the tone,I wanted to hear. After all the searching,I came to the conclusion,it is all about technique. Take Care!
- Apr 20, 2009
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Don't spend any more money without first adjusting your EQ and changing strings. These two things will work wonders. After that I would look into some of the multi-effects with amp and cabinet simulation, these would be much cheaper and more flexible than buying a new bass and amp. Play some different basses and amps at your local music store and get a feel for what you like and what you don't. Pay attention to the things that get the sound you like, what style of pickups, what EQ settings. These will guide you going forward. Many bass players get most or all of their tone from the bass and their fingers, plugging directly into a PA system, so the amp and cabinet may not be that important.
It would be nice for every three-month bass player to have pro gear, but it's not realistic. And your taste in tone will evolve as you progress as a bass player, so plunking down money for a new bass and amp and effects may not be the right thing to do right now. There are many other reasons to upgrade equipment besides tone, and there is plenty of time to spend money during the course of your bass-playing lifetime.
I hope this helps. Please keep us updated on your efforts.
It would be nice for every three-month bass player to have pro gear, but it's not realistic. And your taste in tone will evolve as you progress as a bass player, so plunking down money for a new bass and amp and effects may not be the right thing to do right now. There are many other reasons to upgrade equipment besides tone, and there is plenty of time to spend money during the course of your bass-playing lifetime.
I hope this helps. Please keep us updated on your efforts.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Truth. I always sound pretty much the same no matter what I play, unless there's a deliberate effort to make different sounds.
Best advice I've read in this thread so far.
Some people in here (you know who you are) are just on their regular "Buy A P bass" Crusade.
If you want to keep at it with your current gear my suggestion would be. Keep the volume and tone on the Bass full up 100%. On the amp cut the lows a little bit (11oclock). Boost low mids (1oclock) and then boost the treble and hi mids to 2 o'clock. Fresh strings and a pick will help.
If you can try another bass, try out pbasses and jazz basses or even pj basses (if price is an issue, get a copy)
If you can try another bass, try out pbasses and jazz basses or even pj basses (if price is an issue, get a copy)
I'd suggest a Sire bass ($299 USD (M3) to $399 USD (V7)), and any combo not called Crate; a Fender Rumble would be a good moderate choice in the $300 to $400 range. You might find a good combo used for less. Thus for $600 to $800 USD (420 to 560 GBP), minus whatever you sell the old stuff for, you have a good-sounding bass and rig with some crispness available to you. Not sure if that's in your budget, but by general standards that's very modest; if it is in your range, that would be a great set-up to grow with. You have to order Sires online, no brick-and-mortardealers... Thomann carries them for Europe.
before you go spending money consider doing the best you can with that rig. look for some youtube videos on adjusting bass pickup height. try different picking techniques. could also be possible that it has old strings
If it sounds good in the store, buy the bass, the cable, the amp, and everything else you were using when trying the bass
.. actually it probably has more to do with the acoustics in the store than anything. your home likely has poopie acoustics
In my case it was my craptastic Peavey Vypyr amp at home, which is fine for guitar, but pretty crap for bass.
Im sorry but he has an Epiphone EB-0 and he specifically wants the Mike Dirnt P bass sound. That will never happen, just as you will never get a signature Strat tone out of Les Paul. They are two different animals.
I'm referring to several members who pretty much always respond with "get a P bass", regardless of the situation. It gets rather old, and takes their credibility away, IMO.
Anyway, the OP is a beginner so he should focus more on his playing right now. I think getting brighter strings and adjusting EQ (cut bass, boost treble) is better for him at this point in time than buying new gear. I didn't read the whole thread, but are we sure he even wants the P bass era Dirnt tone istead of the G3?
Not sure. I just know he mention Dirnt's sound specifically in his OP. I own an EB-0 and there is no amount of EQ that will make it sound like Dirnt's tone, at least not with that stock pickup. Its much more suited for metal/stoner rock.
Please reread the last two words of my post. You and other may like them, and that is fine. But I, personally, have never found a Gibson or Epi that I liked the tone of.
It took me a lot of years and a lot of gear to get the tone I always wanted.
Good luck.
for me it was active EMG's pickups, active electronics, and Ampeg tube heads to get the tone I wanted.
For you, sounds like you need a P bass, try a Squier classic vibe P, they are great for the money, and maybe a pickup swap to what ever Dirnt uses. he has a really clanky tone from what I remember, so bright strings, and boosted mids/treble should get you close.
Should have no trouble finding those basses locally.
Good luck.
for me it was active EMG's pickups, active electronics, and Ampeg tube heads to get the tone I wanted.
For you, sounds like you need a P bass, try a Squier classic vibe P, they are great for the money, and maybe a pickup swap to what ever Dirnt uses. he has a really clanky tone from what I remember, so bright strings, and boosted mids/treble should get you close.
Should have no trouble finding those basses locally.
