Low E is too bassy/boomy on clean channel...

cvogue

cvogue

Yes, that's Oolong. :)
So my bass player has been bitching about this for a while, my low E (and A to some extent) are really bassy and can "bloom" on the clean channel of my amp. It happens on both my PRS CE 24 and my Les Paul. It's happened with different amps too.

If he gets mad I'll switch to the bridge pickup which helps but I'd like to keep the tone

So, what to do... the clean channel on my amp only has one tone control (Blackstar HT-40) so I can't dial the bass down.

I have an MXR 10 band EQ in the loop and I could cut the bass frequencies which would probably solve the problem but I'd lose the "oomph" and chug on the dirty channel... don't really want to do that.

I'm going to try lowering the pickup height on the bass side today, see if that helps.

And finally... need a sanity check here... I've read that having very low action and a very flat neck (almost no relief) can cause this problem. I have my guitars set up that way and I like the action as such. Any truth to this?

Thanks for any insight.
 
I've noticed something similar (if I am understanding what you are explaining) when the low strings don't have enough tension. Some string manufacturers make sets with a heavy bottom to give the lower strings more tension. It's the reason I switched to a reverse headstock. To give the lower strings a little more string length.
 
Chad said:
I've noticed something similar (if I am understanding what you are explaining) when the low strings don't have enough tension. Some string manufacturers make sets with a heavy bottom to give the lower strings more tension. It's the reason I switched to a reverse headstock. To give the lower strings a little more string length.
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Interesting... I use EB 9-42's, they make a hybrid set that goes 9-46 hmmm...
 
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Pickup height has a lot to do with this. Stack two nickels on top of the low poles and lower it until the string barely touches the nickels when you fret the last fret. Do the same with one nickel on the high side. Also, adjust the pickup poles so they rise slightly toward the middle to match the neck radius and lower the bass on your amp.
 
I agree that lowering the bass side of the pickup(s) may get you where you want to go. I would try that before I changed out the pickups.
 
cvogue said:
Interesting... I use EB 9-42's, they make a hybrid set that goes 9-46 hmmm...
Click to expand...

I find hybrid string sets (skinny top/big bottom) just intensive this problem, volume-wise the low E and A dominate everything else...large string cores mean more volume (that was the reason Leo stagger pole pieces to compensate)....there is a reason the normal string ratios came about.

Danhedonia said:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/danelectro-dj14-fish-and-chips-7-band-eq-pedal
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This. The best solution is what a soundman/engineer would do, use EQ to dial out the low-end so you set better in the band mix.

The other solution that hasn't been mentioned is lowering the pole piece at the Low E...lowering the pole will lower volume at that string (see aforementioned thing Leo did).
 
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Another vote here for lowering the bass side of the PU. I actually had that problem with my Tele believe it or not. HUGE, boomin' low E. Lowered the pickup on that side...presto! Problem solved.
 
Wyatt said:
I find hybrid string sets (skinny top/big bottom) just intensive this problem, volume-wise the low E and A dominate everything else...large string cores mean more volume (that was the reason Leo stagger pole pieces to compensate)....there is a reason the normal string ratios came about.



This. The best solution is what a soundman/engineer would do, use EQ to dial out the low-end so you set better in the band mix.

The other solution that hasn't been mentioned is lowering the pole piece at the Low E...lowering the pole will lower volume at that string (see aforementioned thing Leo did).
Click to expand...


Well I fixed it... pretty much. Pickup adjustments didn't help so much so I always run a 10 band eq in the loop and I cut the bass quite a bit. Worked great for the clean channel but the dirty channel lost some "oomph". I dimed the bass control for the dirty channel on the amp and presto, a nice compromise. It actually sounds really good so far.

Thanks for all the advice folks!
 
Wyatt said:
I find hybrid string sets (skinny top/big bottom) just intensive this problem, volume-wise the low E and A dominate everything else...large string cores mean more volume (that was the reason Leo stagger pole pieces to compensate)....there is a reason the normal string ratios came about.
Click to expand...

Shut your mouth. :(

I love my light heavy sets... but I also adjust my pickup heights and amp settings to compensate and sound punchy and funky.
 
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