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What are the best EQ bass settings for rock?

robchorz

robchorz

Apr 7, 2011
22
2
Lake Forest CA
#1
I have always had a hard time dialing in my EQ when I play. I do know what i like though when i listen to music. My favorites are John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and Geddy Lee of Rush. Does anyone have suggested EQ settings for attaining these two sounds? I play Fender Jazz and Rickenbacker 4003 basses through Apeg SVT CL and Fender Bassman 300 Pro all tube 300 watt amps. Thanks.
 
#2
Simple answer: Mids. Lots of.

Complex answer: What cab? Ported or sealed? What venue? Effects? What is the composition of your band? How do you want to be relative to the mix (ie in front of, sitting in, buried)? etc, etc, etc.

Start with everything flat. Dial from there. Don't be afraid to cut. On the SVT-CL stay away from the high and low boost switches.
 
#5
There is no one EQ setting that works in all situations. It is rig/room dependent. Every room will require different EQ settings to work in each room.

Just get to leanr and understand how to EQ. Over time you'll know what works and what doesn't.

Sorry, but there is no simple answer.
 
#6
Sundogue said:
There is no one EQ setting that works in all situations. It is rig/room dependent. Every room will require different EQ settings to work in each room.

Just get to learn and understand how to EQ. Over time you'll know what works and what doesn't.

Sorry, but there is no simple answer.
Click to expand...

+1000

Every room is going to give you a different version of your tone. Read the manuals and understand how your tone controls operate - try out different knob positions when playing alone and when playing with a band to hear how it all works.

If we gave you EQ settings - you would complain it sounds bad for you even though we think it is awesome. Try moving your hands around and pluck/pick different places on the bass. You will be surprised by how much an "EQ" change you will hear just by doing that.
 
#8
JPJ and his acoustic sound very different from Geddy. Acoustic - very deep reggae ish tone with some distortion. Geddy much brighter and dirtier sound. not sure how you can have one setting for both without external help

i alway start with a scooped setting and adjust from there depending on the venue..
 
#9
Sundogue said:
There is no one EQ setting that works in all situations. It is rig/room dependent. Every room will require different EQ settings to work in each room.

Just get to leanr and understand how to EQ. Over time you'll know what works and what doesn't.

Sorry, but there is no simple answer.
Click to expand...

Absolutely true. EQ, while sometimes powerful, is only one small part of the puzzle. The "correct" EQ settings will depend on (in no particular order):

Your bass
Your strings
Your amp
Your speaker cabinet(s)
Room acoustics
Your bandmates (how you want to sit in the mix)
Your technique
Your personal preference
etc, etc

As noted: experiment with EQ... learn how to use it by trial and error
 
#10
I'm not sure where, but there are some great threads on EQ usage on this forum. Learning which frequencies do what is a great place to start learning about your tone and how to control it. For example, if your low end feels flabby, you try cutting around 40 or 50hz. If you want more low-mid punch and fullness, boost around 250hz. 1.5khz or thereabouts is a great place to cut clank... or ADD it if you're going for a Geddy or Chris Squire kind of tone.
 
#12
Lakland55 said:
Don't scoop your EQ...its a common mistake that many bassists make. Truth of the matter is your EQ should comfortably fit in the spectrum of sound that drums and guitars are not in when playing together as a band.
Click to expand...

-1. I find that a little scoop helps my sound out quite a bit. Do whatever sound right. Start flat (or "flat") and just kinda mess around. Write down your settings that you use so you don't forget them!!
 
#13
Lakland55 said:
Don't scoop your EQ...its a common mistake that many bassists make. Truth of the matter is your EQ should comfortably fit in the spectrum of sound that drums and guitars are not in when playing together as a band.
Click to expand...

Absolutely +1. Rule #1 of good audio production is to get some spectral slots for each instrument so they complement, not obscure, each other.
 
#14
Lakland55 said:
Don't scoop your EQ...its a common mistake that many bassists make. Truth of the matter is your EQ should comfortably fit in the spectrum of sound that drums and guitars are not in when playing together as a band.
Click to expand...

+1 and -1.

I would say it as "don't AUTOMATICALLY scoop your EQ". It may be necessary, but listen, then decide before you slide. Heh, I like that - "Decide before you slide".
 
#15
What everyone has said thus far is pretty much spot on, even though it's different approaches. Even though I don't know what JPJ and Geddy use for equipment (Acoustic yada yada), you have to take in account that there is a whole lot more in the equation then just an amp when it comes to records.

Personally... flat your eq. Play what you normally play and make adjustments from there. You don't want to eq for funky solo bass when all you're doing is the blues all night.

Oh and remember, the controls on your bass also make a difference too!
 
#16
ajota_di said:
-1. I find that a little scoop helps my sound out quite a bit. Do whatever sound right. Start flat (or "flat") and just kinda mess around. Write down your settings that you use so you don't forget them!!
Click to expand...

Scooping out the midrange on the bass can be helpful when the guitars are heavily centered in the midrange and not so much in the low end. This allows the bass player to push the low end (everything below 150hz) up a little further and have the high end cut through much easier. Unfortunately, this is not always the situation I have come across. But if it works for you, use it!
 
#17
Rock is not a generic genre where bass tone is concerned. All kinds of tones are used. Pick snarl rock, bloomy boomy gooey bass, etc. It's all there.

If I had to pick a typical case I'd say boost your low mids, cut your high mids, let your amp do the rest :)
 
#18
Gearhead17 said:
Scooping out the midrange on the bass can be helpful when the guitars are heavily centered in the midrange and not so much in the low end. This allows the bass player to push the low end (everything below 150hz) up a little further and have the high end cut through much easier. Unfortunately, this is not always the situation I have come across. But if it works for you, use it!
Click to expand...

Yeah, a scooped tone is just another flavor. I generally like a lot of mids in my tone, but I'm not playing under a wall of distorted guitar either.

Also, learn how your amp's EQ controls work and interact. We can all recommend setting your rig flat, but some amps aren't exactly "flat" even when all the controls are set to noon. Do a little exploring into the frequencies being effected by each knob, and maybe search through TB to see if anyone discusses EQ for your particular amp. But generally speaking: start with it set flat, and tweak slowly.... Another good general rule, if there's something you don't like about your tone, try cutting that frequency. If, after cutting, it sounds too quiet or thin, try turning up your amp a little. Cutting the offending frequency often works better than boosting the frequencies you like. That said, it's ok to boost too if you think it needs it.
 

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