Unsatisfactory Tone HELP HELP HELP!

[TJ_VT]

Hey guys, so this is my first TB thread but ive been lurking for a little bit and havent seen any threads regarding this topic. i have recently aquired a washburn idol

and ever since ive had it i cant, seem to find a tone that even comes close to sounding crisp and clean, as a result i play with both the neck and bride pup tone knobs completely off so i get just that more rumble bass sound rather than the clean smooth defined note sound i am more fond of, the bass is set up correct, plays well and i love the body style so ideally id like to be able to remedy this rather that get rid of the bass. i run through an ampeg svt 4 pro and even with the graphic eq i cant seem to make the bass stop sounding so "boing-ey"... (if that makes any kind of sense). lately ive been toying with the notion of replacing the pickups with humbuckers of some kind to get a nice hot tone; but ive heard from friends that it may not make a big enough difference, and whats more im not really sure what to look for in replacing pups. so if anyone can help a noob brotha out it would be much appreciated

 

[Mikeyd74]

Do you have a sound clip?

 

[Ampeg SVT]

Wait so you want a bright tone but you turn the treble down???
If you want a really crisp sound get some new strings, also that bass comes with "Eden" Humbuckers (Eh just a marketing scheme since Eden is owned by the same company). If you want really crisp sound go with an EMG set of humbuckers.

 

[TJ_VT]

Wait so you want a bright tone but you turn the treble down???

yeah i WANT a bright tone but i cant reach a desired tone with this bass so i have to put my preference aside to accommodate the way this bass sounds best.

If you want a really crisp sound get some new strings,

i say that ive recently acquired this bass, but in actuality ive gone through about 3 sets so far. (still a pretty new bass in my book)

also that bass comes with "Eden" Humbuckers (Eh just a marketing scheme since Eden is owned by the same company). If you want really crisp sound go with an EMG set of humbuckers.

thanks for the recommendation. EMG's were my first instinct (i was in metal bands for a long time so you can imagine....) but it helps to have that vote of confidence.


ill try and get a sound clip going to help clarify

 

[allexcosta]

You need another bass. Even a SX jazz with new stainless steel strings will give you what you're looking for.

 

[alexit]

Cut/Scoop the mids on your eq.

 

[TJ_VT]

Cut/Scoop the mids on your eq.

interesting idea!

I've always been told that the 'smiley face' is a bad way to go but it was more referring to guitar. being such an easy thing to test out ill at least give it a shot and let you know how i end up

 

[badboy1984]

if you looking for clean tone and the growl, you can try use the bridge pickup more and play on top of the bridge pickup for that tone

 

[BillyRay]

Is it shortscale ? And cutting the mids is the worse idea ever, unless all you do is play by yourself. You'll get swallowed in the mix.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Don't cut mids, cut everything else and just boost a little at a time, 1 slider at a time.

 

[PasdaBeer]

IMO

you need a solid body, full scale bass.........sorry

 

[bradjonesbass]

yeah, that bass is designed for Allen Woody type rumble, not crisp, clear, bright tones. Sounds like you need a j-bass or j-bass copy of some sort - but keep that bass for doing other things. It's a nice bass, but you're probably never going to be able to make it sound like you want it to. Wasn't designed for it. It's like trying to turn a 4x4 pickup into a sports car. If you want a sports car, buy a corvette. If you want a 4x4, buy a 4x4. Know what I mean?