Search for Sound -- How do you set your preamp controls?

[Doogels]

I'm always changing my controls around on my SR5, looking for the perfect sound. Usually I am at the mid point on the bass, the mids slightly below the midpoint, and the highs cut significantly, sometimes completely. My SWR amp is a 5-band, set (from bass to high, scale of -5 to 5) 1, 3, -2, 1, 0.

On a whim, I recently set all three onboard controls all the way open and was darn near knocked out with the new power and punch. That got me to thinking how other Ray players set their controls and EQs.

So the two questions are:

1. How are your on-board controls set?

2. How do you set your amp's EQ?

 

[Mobay45]

My BBE EQ is set flat. On the bass, the treble is flat, the mids boosted a little and the bass is about a quarter turn boosted.

 

[AnthonyD]

I sometimes move the switch on my Sterling, but all three tone controls are ALWAYS left flat on their indents. I have never been a fan of on-board controls... Just me...

My amp's EQ is also flat and I rely mainly on a Hartke VXL to dial-in my tone, including use of Hartke's "shape" circuitry.

 

[whamonkey]

I tried setting the bass all the way up, mid up about a quarter and treble down about a quarter.....FAT. (Oh...switch towards the bridge) Eden Metro EQ flat all the way on the tube side, I likle to EQ from my bass....same with my Lakland. Whoa........

 

[skabassist13]

my bass(a modified squier p) is all ways flat, thats because theres only a volume knob.

 

[mike jewels]

On my Stingray 4: (black w/rosewood board)

On a scale of 1 - 10

Bass ---- 7
Mids ---- 6
Treble -- 2 usually, never past 5

Amp: Ampeg B100R

All tone controls set at 6, unless I want super chunky mids, then boosted to 8.

I find the above settings give a nice, well balanced Stingray tone. If I put the treble past 5, the bass has much too much snap for me, as I tend to like more of an Old-School sound than a modern one. I had flats on it for about 8 months last year, which added a little thump. Now, I have DR Highbeams on.

It's fun to experiment with strings.

Mike

 

[whamonkey]

I'm trying DR Sunbeams on my Lakland now, and I may just try a set on the Ray; they're that good. I do love the Slinky sound and feel....it will take some special kind of string to knock them off. Sorry to hijack the thread.......back to tone settings folks....

 

[xcental34x]

Treble and mids flat, bass boosted all the way.

 

[phatduckk]

i turn everything on the bass all the way up ... i think i might be the only one here that does that.

 

[StingRayzor]

On My SR4: Bass all the way up, Mids at 6-8 and treble at 3-4.

Fretless Sterling: Bass 9-10, Mids 6-9, treble 2-4. I primarily play the three way toward the neck, but I will play in the other positions as well. It all depends on what the song needs. Add in the Piezo and it gets real confusing.

 

[Joshua]

2 band fretted SR 4:

Bass - Just above halfway up
Treble - Either halfway up or a hair below

Alembic F1X - "flat" as per Mica at Alembic's instructions, and sometimes I flip the bass filter up.

The above settings produce the most ridiculous slap tone I've ever heard, and a helluva fingerstyle tone too...

 

[armybass]

all amps and basses set flat except the 2 band Ray which gets the bass boosted about 80% and the treb at about 50-60%.

 

[amper]

Bass and Treble maxed, Mids at min.

 

[funkycarnivore]

I just cut some treble.

 

[LeftyLB]

Treble and mids flat, bass boosted all the way.

+1

 

[Doogels]

Cool answers. Thanks, everyone. It looks like it's common to cut the trebs. I thought that was just me, but now I see I'm in good company.

 

[Mobay45]

Cool answers. Thanks, everyone. It looks like it's common to cut the trebs. I thought that was just me, but now I see I'm in good company.

Either that or you and everyone else here is doing it wrong.

Don't be startin' nuthin'. We don't want no treble around here.

 

[cgworkman]

I'm always changing my controls around on my SR5, looking for the perfect sound. Usually I am at the mid point on the bass, the mids slightly below the midpoint, and the highs cut significantly, sometimes completely. My SWR amp is a 5-band, set (from bass to high, scale of -5 to 5) 1, 3, -2, 1, 0.

On a whim, I recently set all three onboard controls all the way open and was darn near knocked out with the new power and punch. That got me to thinking how other Ray players set their controls and EQs.

So the two questions are:

1. How are your on-board controls set?

2. How do you set your amp's EQ?

I set my SR5's controls flat and then set the amp to the tone I like. This way I can adjust the controls if I want more or less of something - but flat is the default setting. This way I hardly ever have to touch the amp.

 

[whamonkey]

I set my SR5's controls flat and then set the amp to the tone I like. This way I can adjust the controls if I want more or less of something - but flat is the default setting. This way I hardly ever have to touch the amp.

See that's funny....I do the opposite(amp EQ flat) because I don't want my amp coloring the SR tone. I just find it easier to control my tone from the onboard preamp/EQ....different strokes I guess.

 

[tkarter]

I set mine as does Mobay. We do play different amps and I will generally play most things flat except the low pyramid on the amp goes to the bottom freq. and gain goes about 1 Oclock. Then if I don't like the sound from out front I work on my SR5.

I play TI jazz flats and don't really do much more than boost the bass if I don't like the out front sound. That is not my bass or amp it is the sound guy that makes me have to change anything. I found my sound and will get my sound.

Like racing. AJ probably knows what a spark plugged gapped narrower than what is standard will do that is not in the book. He knows because he has tried it.

The SR5 is the one solid thing you have. Yes you can set it as I do and it will sound like mine does if you have the same strings and amp and cabs I do. Do we match that way? I doubt it.

A notebook is the best way to figure your setup out. Write it down for each place you play. Write down when you don't feel good and or are sick and play because that will sound different on that day.

Note taking on your settings will help you get where you want and what you want.
A voltmeter will tell you what battery life remains. Although, I haven't established in my notes at just what voltage the battery is when it dies. It will reach a recordable voltage that it will no longer work.

IMHO

tk