EQ bands and dip switches

[Jeroen Herlaar]

I would like to fiddle a bit with the EQ band dip switches. I am looking for a 2200 Hz boost. What do the differtent dip switches do with specific frequency ranges? I know you can change the center frequency of a band as well as the width of the range (the 'Q' value of the curve). But on what frequencies do the switches operate?

[Desmund Nichols]

I would like to play with the EQ switches in my bass one day.

[Ken Smith]

I would like to play with the EQ switches in my bass one day.

Ok, what are you waiting for better weather? :D

It would be best to sit down with your best Amp (if you have more than one) and try different positions with each band, take notes of what you hear and then set the 3 bands to the settings you liked most. That's how we did ours because the way the Mid works the cut and the Boost can be sweeter or drier depending on the setting and your Amp as well. Just a frequency # in itself does not necessarily equal a sound in your head. You have to hear it live in a room through your Amp.

Somewhere I have these #s written down but filed them. If it was something of importance, I would have remembered where I put them. Once I found the settings I liked, all else no longer mattered. We marked on the diagram the shop setting we used as well as the original settings that we have on the 9 volt unit we have been using since 1986. The current preset positions of the DIP is the best combination to my ear.

If you have different tastes than I do or use a different Amp or play a different style which all 3 are possible, then play with your switches as much as you like to see if you can find something that works better for you.

Two things though: First, don't break anything in there. It's a tight work space and repairs can be costly. Second, don't forget what the original settings were in case you like what you had to begin with.

[Desmund Nichols]

I just dont want to alter with greatness

[Bob Faulkner]

This thread has given me ideas. I'm thinking about having a go at this. I'll show my ignorance and admit I didn't realize there were DIP switches in my bass I could play with to adjust my tone. Even after so many battery changes I never noticed them. I'll have to do some testing when I get home from work :D

[Ken Smith]

This thread has given me ideas. I'm thinking about having a go at this. I'll show my ignorance and admit I didn't realize there were DIP switches in my bass I could play with to adjust my tone. Even after so many battery changes I never noticed them. I'll have to do some testing when I get home from work :D

The Switches are NEW. If your Bass was made with only one battery (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/accessories/Parts/images/7KB.jpg), don't bother looking. If it was made with TWO batteries, then the switch is there (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/nammshow/namm04/images/cir.jpg).

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/nammshow/namm04/images/cir.jpg

[Bob Faulkner]

Mine has the old 9V circuit, so guess I'll have to just stick the the awesome tone I already get.

Out of curiosity, what is the cost to refit my bass with the new electronics?

[Ken Smith]

Mine has the old 9V circuit, so guess I'll have to just stick the the awesome tone I already get.

Out of curiosity, what is the cost to refit my bass with the new electronics?

The circuit is $300. plus installation ($50.?) BUT if your Bass has the series/parallel switches in it already we can't fit the second battery. This is essentially a 9v circuit with two batteries. It runs the same either way so we can jump the wires and fit it as a 9v as well. We have done this already and draws the same power as the old circuit with 1, 2 or 20 batteries.

[Bob Faulkner]

Might be something for me to look into down the road.

[Tim Bishop]

Mine has the old 9V circuit, so guess I'll have to just stick the the awesome tone I already get.



LOL! Bob, I agree, just stick with that awesome tone you're already getting.

[Steve_M]

I would like to fiddle a bit with the EQ band dip switches. I am looking for a 2200 Hz boost. What do the differtent dip switches do with specific frequency ranges? I know you can change the center frequency of a band as well as the width of the range (the 'Q' value of the curve). But on what frequencies do the switches operate?

Hello Jeroen! Fancy seeing you here! :D I'm Crazykiwi on Bassworld.

[Tim Bishop]

I would like to fiddle a bit with the EQ band dip switches. I am looking for a 2200 Hz boost. What do the differtent dip switches do with specific frequency ranges? I know you can change the center frequency of a band as well as the width of the range (the 'Q' value of the curve). But on what frequencies do the switches operate?



Ken, I know you provide "Lowest", "Low", "High" and "Highest" settings for "Bass", "Midrange", and "Treble" (i.e. switch position "on" or "off"), but do you have a schematic that could approximate what frequency ranges are cut or boosted related to the switch "on" or "off" position?

Outside of experimentation with these switches (and if you do experiment, be gentle and careful!), I would recommend making your adjustment either with the instruments tone controls (I find there is ample tonal headroom and then some) or otherwise.

Myself, I like the 18V circuit fine: For my ears; While I hear tighter mids, I find no reason to make adjustments to the switches. Any adjustment I make is with the tone controls of the bass or post eq from the amp. ;)

[Ken Smith]

Ken, I know you provide "Lowest", "Low", "High" and "Highest" settings for "Bass", "Midrange", and "Treble" (i.e. switch position "on" or "off"), but do you have a schematic that could approximate what frequency ranges are cut or boosted related to the switch "on" or "off" position?

Outside of experimentation with these switches (and if you do experiment, be gentle and careful!), I would recommend making your adjustment either with the instruments tone controls (I find there is ample tonal headroom and then some) or otherwise.

Myself, I like the 18V circuit fine: For my ears; While I hear tighter mids, I find no reason to make adjustments to the switches. Any adjustment I make is with the tone controls of the bass or post eq from the amp. ;)

I know somewhere someplace there are some numbers written down for the bass and Treble but the Mids work differently with the shape of the 'notch' in the cut or boost. Honestly, when I chose the frequency settings, I did it totally by Ear.

[Tim Bishop]

I know somewhere someplace there are some numbers written down for the bass and Treble but the Mids work differently with the shape of the 'notch' in the cut or boost. Honestly, when I chose the frequency settings, I did it totally by Ear.


Ken, if you do come across them, it would be interesting to know. Otherwise, my ear is happy with these settings as they are. ;)

[Michael Stram]

I had a shack 6 string for a little bit that had dip switches. But since I dont read german i took a look, said 'wow..cool" and closed it right back up:D . Noisy pickups...too noisy.

[Willie Williams]

On my New BSR I set the dip switches to the old settings. I guess that is just what my ears were used to hearing.