** Musicman bass suggested settings thread **

[jlepre]

Ok I'm gonna say it. There are way too many variables

1. Amp/Cab type & size
2. Room size etc.
3. Strings (flats or rounds)

Just too many unknowns

 

[Mrrstrat]

Ok I'm gonna say it. There are way too many variables

1. Amp/Cab type & size
2. Room size etc.
3. Strings (flats or rounds)

Just too many unknowns

True: but knowing what pickup configuration and boost/cut combos are being used to get certain types of sounds is a big help to know where to start.

If this was a F$&der Jass Bass forum, I could give various settings I use for country, rock, jazz, blues because I know the jazz bass. I will eventually figure out my SR5 in the same way, but I know there are pros who are using the MM basses and already figured out those shortcuts to get different sounds out of their basses.

I get what you are saying about amps: I have a 200 watt clubbing rig with a single 15" and a 1500 watt rig with a 4x12" cab - totally different - but I can dial in the the amps to match what my bass wants to do easy enough.

In a band like the bands I typically play for, you play a wide variety of tunes and the bass sound for "tequilla makes her clothes fall off" is not the same as "the Breakup song by Greg Kihn". One is more 'hollow and doinky' and the other is full and powerful.

Ultimately, it would,be nice to get settings for:

(1) Classic country
(2) Modern Country
(3) Classic rock
(4) Modern rock
(5) Blues
(6) Jazz

 

[73jbass]

Everything flat on the bass always. Eq at the amp,use the 5 way selector on the bass for different tones. Can't go wrong.

 

[Bass Control]

I run my bass' EQ flat, too. Depending on the space or how many people I'm playing with, I use very little EQ at the amp as well. Sometimes my amp is also set flat.

 

[Farley]

For the current band I'm in, with my Classic 5, I generally run the volume at 80 - 100% Since there's no center detent on the treble or bass control I eyeball it. From, what I precieve, as a center point I will usually keep the treble flat and boost the bass approximately 25 or 30%.

 

[Golem]

T....................
".......... One is more 'hollow and doinky' and the other is full and powerful.

Ultimately, it would,be nice to get settings for:

(1) Classic country
(2) Modern Country
(3) Classic rock
(4) Modern rock
(5) Blues
(6) Jazz

I can understand that different EQ settings would be need to
switch from 'hollow-doinky' to 'full-powerful'. I cannot OTOH
understand how specific settings would need to be assigned
to the six genres above, or any genres at all for that matter.

There's your ears, your hands, some knobs, and a whole big
steaming heap of variables. Your ears instruct your hands
and the deal is done. Since you seem to persue some kinda
"starting point", I can recommend one that fits every genre,
band, room, etc: Start with everything turned way down and
only add something if it results in an improvement. What will
constitute "improvement" is up to you, but the procedure is
pretty much foolproof.

 

[five7]

pertyman does a good job of showing different tone possibilities.
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/59128-per-ernie-ball-1982-stingray-demo.html

 

[Mrrstrat]

Great points made here: I will try it out tomorrow at practice instead of on my practice/clubbing rig in my studio.

 

[Mrrstrat]

Practice results:

Bass was great! I ended up using the advice given here: I put everything flat, volume at 75%, increased the bass and mid as needed. I never seem to use the humbucked bridge position, just middle and front.

Its obvious to me that it has its own nuances and the key seems to start with everything flat and then add/take away from that for your sounds. There are really four main sounds I tried to dial in and by mid practice was close. Only a couple times did I have to fiddle with knobs to get a good sound.

My SR5 is a keeper!

 

[uOpt]

Free Jazz - volume at 0, rest doesn't matter.

 

[Golem]

Free Jazz - volume at 0, rest doesn't matter.

Zkewz me sir, I bleeb you dropped sumptin ....

Ooopzez-oh .... year tiz: '1'

;-)

 

[DirtyHippie]

I play with my amp's eq set dead flat, and 99 days out of 100 the bass' eq is also flat. I play with the bass' volume wide open as well.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Too many variables. Venues, amps and instruments are all different.

Set instrument controls as flat as possible. Set power amp to best you can get. Then use instrument controls to add to tone.

Edit. As to volume control, about 80% to allow for adjustable light and shade.

 

[liverbird]

Too many variables. Venues, amps and instruments are all different.

Set instrument controls as flat as possible. Set power amp to best you can get. Then use instrument controls to add to tone.

Edit. As to volume control, about 80% to allow for adjustable light and shade.

Very much agree on the flat EQ. However, I still haven't quite worked out where that is on a 2-band Stingray...

 

[sanderhermans]

Very much agree on the flat EQ. However, I still haven't quite worked out where that is on a 2-band Stingray...

Take the knobs of the tone pots off. Then find the max and min point of the tone pot. Then put the tone pot dead center of those 2 points. Then put the knob back on with the screw facing right up. Be carefull not to move the pot when putting it back on.

Now you know center is when the screw is facing up.

 

[uOpt]

Looks like a flat EQ is more in the 6/6 setting, not right in the middle.

Might be better to make a middle mark using a multimeter, not optical.

 

[sanderhermans]

Looks like a flat EQ is more in the 6/6 setting, not right in the middle.

Might be better to make a middle mark using a multimeter, not optical.

when the pot is sitting right between full open and full closed, then the eq should be pretty flat, no need to use a multimeter... when its in the middle its in the middle, a slight bit of boost or cut is not noticeable. + even when facing the pot screws straight up you will never set them 100% correct to zero.

 

[uOpt]

when the pot is sitting right between full open and full closed, then the eq should be pretty flat, no need to use a multimeter... when its in the middle its in the middle, a slight bit of boost or cut is not noticeable. + even when facing the pot screws straight up you will never set them 100% correct to zero.

No, I just measured this morning, 60%/60% is closer to linear than 50/50. The latter still has a mid-bump. That is by distance, not measured with an ohmmeter, though.

The 2-band SR classic pickup always cuts the lowest bass and highest treble, it's part of the game. This EQ is very different from the other ones.

 

[Golem]

`

Moderate mid-bump is MY version of flat, I mean
according to my ears. That is to say, it makes the
strings sound like strings ... . IOW "flat" is a tech
term and is measureable by metering. "Realistic"
is a human perception, and I kinda think that it's
what most players actually want when they go
seeking after "flat". IOOW, if it sounds natural or
uncolored, then we can call that "neutral", which
would be a more practical goal than "flat".

I'm not saying we should all PLAY in "neutral" ...
just that the [subjective] neutral setting is most
likely the best starting point from which to do
any tweaking to our sound.

 

[liverbird]

Is the bass knob actually cut/boost or is it boost only?