EQing double bass

[lowlandtrees]

Interested in some guidance on EQing double bass. I have only just started playing DB. Have a Kania Da Gamba contra through a Roland cube 100. Seems so different to E bass. I intend to get a Fishman plat pre when one comes up (always looking for a bargain if one is out there looking for a home). I assume that the lows and highs are cut and mids boosted? At the moment I have the amp set to flat but getting alot of feedack at high volumes. Been told that a bit of reverb is a good thing but not really too keen on that sound myself. Seems that 10/12 inch speakers are favoured over 15. I am a fan of tube amps over solid state. Any comment on that?

[zero9]

It's difficult to simplify when ot comes to eq'ing double bass, as there are so many variables and each situation is unique.

You don't mention the type of pickup you're using and presuming from your post, you don't use a pre-amp between the DB and the Roland. The Roland cube is designed for electric bass and if you're not using a pre-amp in front of it, the Roland will struggle with the impedance from the DB pickup, which could contribute to feedback.

I wouldn't worry about speaker size, as this is not an important factor when it comes to feedback. Personally, I wouldn't use reverb, as I've found this creates more, rather than less feedback. Also, there is no benefit to using a solid state or tube amp to controlling feedback. Go for whichever sound you prefer. Some people use Class D amps and I've seen people use Ampeg rigs.

It's not as simple as boosting mids etc, it depends on your whole set-up. You can only experiment and find out what suits your set-up best. A lot of feedback is caused by low frequencies which resonate back through the body of the DB. I would start with cutting the lows first, to see if this controls the feedback. If it doesn't, you'll need to look in more detail at the DB set-up, in particular the pickup arrangement.

[BassBus]

John Patitucci gives an explanation of how he works EQ in this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNQclaAmyX8

[lowlandtrees]

Hi Thanks for the f/b. I am using a Realist pup. Flat metal thing that fits under the bridge.............very nice tone.Seems to me that the E string sound does not have the same body as the others but that may my noobie technique. Not sure if I like the roland or not. It is ok at low vols and nice with the ebass. Am on look out for something better.

[ChrisF]

Kingforaday had a Fishman Plat Pro for sale a few weeks back. Might be worth asking if he still has it. ( I love mine by the way )

[fatback]

I wouldn't try to control feedback with EQ apart from using it as a notch filter. You want EQ to give you the right sound and then deal with feedback other ways.

For sound quality, I found that, apart from cutting the extreme lows, the best EQ depended on the pickup/bass combination. When i had a Bassmax I couldn't cut enough mids to get a decent sound. With a Full Circle, much less mid cut required, and through a PA it sounds perfect flat.

Gigging without a PA obviously needs more mids to be able to cut through.

about the weak E, I wonder if moving the Realist to the other side might be worth trying? Could be the strings, though, i suppose. Some folks use a different E to get more oomph. Not something I know anything about, being too lazy to try.

Edited March 6, 2013 by fatback

[lowlandtrees]

The Full Circle looks good but I am not sure if you know the Kania Da Gamba. It is a very small bodied instrument so it may not pick the sound required. I like the idea of trying another E string but not sure where to start. Could spend the rest of this years pocket money on that. The Realist is sited under the bridge at the E and A strings strings. Getting a F/man PlatinumPro on friday. Lets see what that says.