I'm coming from a Precision/Jazz where the sound of the basses is very round. I never found myself twitching the EQ. However with the StingRay, I have no clue what to do, it's crazy! What are your methods to EQ this bass properly in a loud rock band?
- Thread starter BullHorn
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OldManMusic
Well-known member
Turn the guitar player down, that's step one. Turn you up, that's step two. Your band will immediately win a Grammy.
It changes from venue to venue... My own gear is an Ampeg SVT7Pro through a PN4x10 SVT cabinet. At rehearsal I either use a Hartke 350 head through Hartke 4x10+1x15 stack or a Hartke 550 head through Gallien Krueger 4x10 + Hartke 1x15. We play loud rock so I usually try to have a slightly compressed tone, occupying the low-end and a bit of clank/string-noise around the high-mids and high. With the Precision and Jazz this type of sound comes naturally with flat 12 o'clock EQ. I find the StingRay's output is lower so I raise my master volume quite a bit but then the highs and high-mids are too harsh - when I cut them, I become muddy and inaccurate.
pudgychef
Well-known member
are you using the padded input or 'active switch'? I have found that most of my basses sound better without the pad -
is your pickup height set properly? This can (imho) greatly the 'live' and 'at volume' tone....
is your pickup height set properly? This can (imho) greatly the 'live' and 'at volume' tone....
JayDawg
Well-known member
I start out by setting everything on both the bass and the amp at 50% and then make slight adjustments from there but in all honesty, I have found that very little adjustment is needed and my basses sit great in the mix. They give me a nice distinct sound that is clearly heard in the mix without being overpowering
drTStingray
Well-known member
+1 on the active pad. I only use it with my Bongo which has too hot an output for the passive pad - and I tend to find my input gain with a Ray is OK at about 11 to 12 o clock- just clipping on very loud notes. Also, it's useful not to dime your bass guitar volume control but to control from your amp output volume.
jlepre
Well-known member
That IS weird. A trip to a qualified EBMM luthier may be in order, or call EBMM Customer Service.
MrMusashi
Well-known member
pickup height is important. too low and you will lose bottom end and volume. too high and the magnetic pull will affect sustain and intonation. and probably a lot of other little details 
pickup height is discussed in this thread:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...tup-clarification-music-man-instructions.html
you should be able to find the information you need there
hth!
MrM
pickup height is discussed in this thread:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...tup-clarification-music-man-instructions.html
you should be able to find the information you need there
hth!
MrM
I just started learning GCS' Hair and it just sounded bad to me. I recorded a comparison (Don't mind the sloppy playing) Of the Ray and my P. Both basses went directly into my soundcard with no EQ or compression. The Ray with full volume and all EQ knobs in the middle, the P with the Tone knob open 100%.
EBMM-SR4-vs-MIJ-P by BullHorn on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
Is it supposed to sound so gnarly/nasal/muddy or am I doing something wrong?
EBMM-SR4-vs-MIJ-P by BullHorn on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
Is it supposed to sound so gnarly/nasal/muddy or am I doing something wrong?
EBMM-SR4-Bassboost by BullHorn on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
I did what you suggested. It sounds better but still muddy in the low-mids. I guess I have to get used to it?
I did what you suggested. It sounds better but still muddy in the low-mids. I guess I have to get used to it?
Manfloozy
Well-known member
Have you tried replacing the battery? If not its worth a try, an old battery can give similar symptoms.
Here is the email for customer service: [email protected]
Good luck!
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
Wow...strange problem that a Ray has lower output..with any backline I usually have to lower the volume on the amp, as with the Ray, I can hear the mix better without the massive amount of volume needed for a passive bass. Are you using a 3 band or 2 Band Ray? That's two different animals right there.
Need more info too...though internet surgery on tone is difficult at best!..Flats or Rounds, Pick or Fingers, Coke or Pepsi?
Need more info too...though internet surgery on tone is difficult at best!..Flats or Rounds, Pick or Fingers, Coke or Pepsi?
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
Yeas, I do!
For me, and both of my Rays...the 4 and 5...I'm usually setting the mids at 75% from full on.....Bass..usually a smidge past Center...I don't touch the treble..that stays flat....my live Rigs are SVT III/Mesa 15 or TC Electronic 15..however, I'm never without the Tech21 VT ...so I'm keeping any amp flat, setting the Bass first, then final tweaking done on the Tech21 stuff.
Again, I get to keep my stage volume much lower then with a passive bass. Now...I use a 12 String alot as well..that's passive, and the pickups are Hot as hell...I switch back and forth between the two.
For me, and both of my Rays...the 4 and 5...I'm usually setting the mids at 75% from full on.....Bass..usually a smidge past Center...I don't touch the treble..that stays flat....my live Rigs are SVT III/Mesa 15 or TC Electronic 15..however, I'm never without the Tech21 VT ...so I'm keeping any amp flat, setting the Bass first, then final tweaking done on the Tech21 stuff.
Again, I get to keep my stage volume much lower then with a passive bass. Now...I use a 12 String alot as well..that's passive, and the pickups are Hot as hell...I switch back and forth between the two.
I hear where you're coming from as I went from Ps and Js to Rays and Als but haven't looked back. It takes some getting used to sonically but once you find your sound you will find the path. I'm also a finger player, and hand positioning should be considered from my experience. I move from resting my thumb on the neck, to floating, to resting on the pickup dependent on sound. Near the neck you get a fat booming sound to much more articulated on the pick up. Try playing around with that and see what it yields.
As for sound, on my 3 band ray, I usually have the bass up to about 80%, the mids just a hair back from center and the highs just above or at center.
From what you say for your desired sound, I would suggest moving the mids up a bit past center, and a pinch more on the treble. Leave the bass though, I find it sits nicely there, and the treble and mids can be boosted a bit to add some clarity.
As for sound, on my 3 band ray, I usually have the bass up to about 80%, the mids just a hair back from center and the highs just above or at center.
From what you say for your desired sound, I would suggest moving the mids up a bit past center, and a pinch more on the treble. Leave the bass though, I find it sits nicely there, and the treble and mids can be boosted a bit to add some clarity.
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