unhappy with my tone

[godofthunder59]

If you are trying to cop Dirnt don't forget to use a pick!

 

[Yaralag]

Man this post has got some legs! Could you all do me a favor and stop using the term EB-0? It's one of my alert words and I am getting a thousand emails! Seriously though, I think we've solved this kids problem already.
1. Get a P Bass and play with a pick
2. Get another amp
Nothing more to say people!

Cheers, love ya, peace out ( and remember, if you do feel the need to make another comment, stop saying EB-0)

 

[Billy Lowe]

I don't know the EB-0 really at all, but I can tell you Curtis Novak makes really good pickups. Installing some of his took me from liking the idea of a Fender VI to actually liking the thing. If you are happy with the feel of your current bass and are just finding the tone lacking, then I'd point you to looking in to new pickup(s) and/or amp. The amplifier will probably get you the biggest bang for your buck. It's said a lot here and elsewhere that a good guitar through a lousy amp will sound awful, but a good amplifier can give you mileage out of even mediocre instruments.

Before doing that, maybe new strings and having someone give you a sanity check on your setup and pickup height? Maybe you can tweak what you've got to get you closer to where you want to be.

Personally, I've been having some fun playing around with something like amplitube that gives me the option of getting virtualized amplifiers that I can screw around with on my own. It's worth it to me to pay $25 or $30 (after buying the initial program of course) to have a chance to sample several thousand dollars worth of gear. It might not be super accurate to the last nuance, but it gets me awfully close and I don't have to try to hear myself over whatever else is going on in the store.

so amplitube gives samples of new amps and stuff? sounds good to me, cheers.

 

[Billy Lowe]

Don't go throwing your equipment out yet. Sometimes the player hasn't found the right combination of settings or listened from the right spot in the room.

First, know what sound you're looking for.

Then, set all your pots flat (12:00 noon), on both bass and amp. If your amp has gain and volume controls and it sounds boomy, turn the gain way down and then gradually up to a spot where you get the sound you're looking for.

Then start with the bass setting on your amp -- turn it down all the way, then up all the way, and find the spot somewhere in between where the speaker sounds best without distorting. Do the same with the treble, and then with the mids. Mids are the trickiest, so I wouldn't stray much from that high-noon setting if I were you. Then sit about 10 feet in front of the amp and listen -- this is close to what an audience hears. You'll find it's a very different sound than what you hear when you're right on top of the amp. Use your instrument pots for fine-tuning. And remember, you'll have to make changes for every venue you play in, so start by repeating the above in at least a couple different rooms in your dwelling -- one small, and one larger, preferably-- just to get used to the sonic differences. Practice makes perfect with amp settings, too.

If you change equipment, I like Klonk's recommendations, and you really can't go wrong with a Fender P bass no matter where it's made (unless you're looking more for the Jazz bass sound), but those amps are fairly pricey (and Genz Benz is out of business, so if you go that route, make sure you have a qualified repair guy nearby). I'm plenty impressed with my Fender Rumble 100, and so are my bandmates, and they're $299 new. I bought mine primarily because I'm old and it weighs only 22 lbs., but it's really a great amp for the price.

Take your time and good luck.

my amp doesn't have a switch for treble;( or is there another word for it on the amp?

 

[Billy Lowe]

Your amp is perfect for where you are. As a beginner it gives you enough power to play with other musicians. If you are not getting the tone you want out of your amp try some pedals to shape your sound.

Joyo American or California ~$35
Zoom B1ON ~$50
Hartke VXL ~$100
Zoom MS60B ~$100

Any of those will give you some tone shaping options that may work better than the EQ on your amp. Plus they won't break the bank.

I've owned an Epiphone EB-0 and EB-3. Love the look but don't care for them. Try an Ibanez or Squier and see what you think. They will be more versatile than and EB-0.

cheers buddy

 

[Billy Lowe]

Your amp is perfect for where you are. As a beginner it gives you enough power to play with other musicians. If you are not getting the tone you want out of your amp try some pedals to shape your sound.

Joyo American or California ~$35
Zoom B1ON ~$50
Hartke VXL ~$100
Zoom MS60B ~$100

Any of those will give you some tone shaping options that may work better than the EQ on your amp. Plus they won't break the bank.

I've owned an Epiphone EB-0 and EB-3. Love the look but don't care for them. Try an Ibanez or Squier and see what you think. They will be more versatile than and EB-0.

is the california good?

 

[bearfoot]

2 more cents:

Bring your bass with you to try out a few amps in a store, giving yourself time.
Then, plug in a P or P/J style bass to the same amps.

This should help narrow down which bass you prefer, and which way to go in your quest.
If you do decide on getting a new bass, I suggest trying to keep the old one. You can then set up the Gibson with different strings, and have a very wide tonal palette , say between a Gibson w flats and a P/J with rounds.

 

[Billy Lowe]

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.

thanks for your advice! yeah i will use all of this advice in the future when i have practised further for sure, i am going to purchase some new strings and possibly a pedal instead of spending a lot on new gear until i have practised further! any advice on what strings i get?

 

[Billy Lowe]

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?

i think thats what i'll do!

 

[Tanner5382]

i think thats what i'll do!

Sounds good, man. I really think it's the right choice for you for now. Work with it for a little while, it times to learn how to really EQ well and it's different for every bass and amp. Don't be afraid to turn the knobs contrary to what other people or your gut feelings say. Do it till it sounds good! After you do that for a while (more than just one or two days ), if you still find yourself wanting something else, THAT is when you can start looking at other options. Again though, focusing on your playing is the most important thing at this point in time.

Regarding strings, I'm not sure what you have readily available locally. Strings are also a very personal thing. What is bright to one guy is dark to another. I'm sure you have Rotosounds, which are regarded as THE bright string, but I find them rather inconsistent these days. I've had many issues and my last pack was dead as a doornail right out of the bag. I am fond of DR Highbeams and SIT strings, particularly. However, there are many quality options available. If you are gonna buy them locally, tell the guys at the shop you are looking for the brightest strings they have.

 

[Sid the Kid]

Get yourself to any music store and just try a P bass with a pick. Report back and let us all know how that was the sound you were looking for. With rounds P basses do growly, aggressive, and punchy with a pick like nobody's business.

A sansamp or a clone of sansamp (dr. J sparrow, boss bb1x, behringer BDI) will give you some grind and snap that will give any bass a good punchy sound for the very small price of some midrange content.



EB-0

 

[Billy Lowe]

Sounds good, man. I really think it's the right choice for you for now. Work with it for a little while, it times to learn how to really EQ well and it's different for every bass and amp. Don't be afraid to turn the knobs contrary to what other people or your gut feelings say. Do it till it sounds good! After you do that for a while (more than just one or two days ), if you still find yourself wanting something else, THAT is when you can start looking at other options. Again though, focusing on your playing is the most important thing at this point in time.

Regarding strings, I'm not sure what you have readily available locally. Strings are also a very personal thing. What is bright to one guy is dark to another. I'm sure you have Rotosounds, which are regarded as THE bright string, but I find them rather inconsistent these days. I've had many issues and my last pack was dead as a doornail right out of the bag. I am fond of DR Highbeams and SIT strings, particularly. However, there are many quality options available. If you are gonna buy them locally, tell the guys at the shop you are looking for the brightest strings they have.

i have heard good things about the d'addario strings!

 

[Billy Lowe]

thanks for all of your help guys, big thread!

 

[Tanner5382]

i have heard good things about the d'addario strings!

They're very popular and relatively inexpensive. I'm not crazy about them but that doesn't mean you won't be! They're worth a shot.

 

[Drucifer]

thanks for your advice! yeah i will use all of this advice in the future when i have practised further for sure, i am going to purchase some new strings and possibly a pedal instead of spending a lot on new gear until i have practised further! any advice on what strings i get?

Any new strings should sound brighter than older strings. Roundwound strings are much brighter. There are lots of good guides on the Internet on choosing strings. Invalid Link Removed's some info on what Mr. Dirnt uses. Keep it up and welcome to talkbass, where people are always happy to tell you how to spend your money .

 

[Yaralag]

Get yourself to any music store and just try a P bass with a pick. Report back and let us all know how that was the sound you were looking for. With rounds P basses do growly, aggressive, and punchy with a pick like nobody's business.

A sansamp or a clone of sansamp (dr. J sparrow, boss bb1x, behringer BDI) will give you some grind and snap that will give any bass a good punchy sound for the very small price of some midrange content.



EB-0

Funny

 

[matty1039]

is the california good?

I don't have that one but it is on my list. I've got two other Joyo pedals and they are pretty solid, physically and tone wise. The American is based on a Fender and California is a Mesa Boogie.

From what I've seen online the California sounds pretty good.

 

[DerekW]

This thread would be a lot shorter if someone would just mention that tone is in the fingers, and he should probably get a P bass.

 

[Billy Lowe]

Any new strings should sound brighter than older strings. Roundwound strings are much brighter. There are lots of good guides on the Internet on choosing strings. Invalid Link Removed's some info on what Mr. Dirnt uses. Keep it up and welcome to talkbass, where people are always happy to tell you how to spend your money .

thankyou!

 

[Billy Lowe]

which strings do you guys think?
1.) Invalid Link Removed

2.) D'Addario EXL170TP Round Wound Bass Guitar Strings 2-Pack

3.) Black Diamond Medium Gauge Black Coated Roundwound Long Scale Bass Strings