let's compare EQ settings

[Bob Faulkner]

Just for something fun to do and see if we can get a good idea of what kind of tone we all target from our Smith basses, post what you set your knobs and switches to..

I usually run volume all the way up, active mode. Pickup fader is about 10:00, high eq about 11:00, mid eq about 9:00 and low at 1:00. neck pickup set to series and bridge set to parallel. Head EQ is set flat.

So, skewed in favor of the bridge pickup, but enough of the series mode neck pickup to get some of that sweet spot fatness into the tone. The EQ set to cut highs a little, cut mids a little more, and slightly boost the lows.

This gives me a warm and growly yet well defined fretless tone, with plenty of bottom end preserved.

[Ronson Hall]

Just for something fun to do and see if we can get a good idea of what kind of tone we all target from our Smith basses, post what you set your knobs and switches to..

I usually run volume all the way up, active mode. Pickup fader is about 10:00, high eq about 11:00, mid eq about 9:00 and low at 1:00. neck pickup set to series and bridge set to parallel. Head EQ is set flat.

So, skewed in favor of the bridge pickup, but enough of the series mode neck pickup to get some of that sweet spot fatness into the tone. The EQ set to cut highs a little, cut mids a little more, and slightly boost the lows.

This gives me a warm and growly yet well defined fretless tone, with plenty of bottom end preserved.

Good info. I'd be interested in seeing the various EQ amp setups as well.

I've played out of an Eden Traveler Plus for a while now, and the parametric EQ setup possibilities intimidated me for a while. I came straight out of an era where you set your treble, bass and mid knobs on your amp with 15 - 18 inch speakers, and went to work!

Those days, looking back on them, were sonically ugly, and long gone.

[Tim Bishop]

Good info. I'd be interested in seeing the various EQ amp setups as well.

I've played out of an Eden Traveler Plus for a while now, and the parametric EQ setup possibilities intimidated me for a while. I came straight out of an era where you set your treble, bass and mid knobs on your amp with 15 - 18 inch speakers, and went to work!

Those days, looking back on them, were sonically ugly, and long gone.


Hey Ronson, those Eden Heads and Cabs are so dang efficient, you could virtually leave the settings set flat on those Amps and be oh-so-happy! I have the WT-800, WT-550, and WT-400. Edens are hard to beat, unless I go to my ultimate playing-out-rig (i.e. QSC PLX-3602 with Alembic F2-B Pre-amp)!!! :D ;)

As far as my setting on my Smiths....depending on which Smith I use....my typical setting would be Panning 100% to the front P/U (love that better-than-vintage tone!), volume ALWAYS maxed out, S/P Switches up, Bass, Midrange, and Treble virtually flat, unless I need a taste of any of the BMT (I find there is an incredible amount of tonal headroom here, so, adjustments (+/-) are minimal). ;)

[Bob Faulkner]

my typical setting would be Panning 100% to the front P/U (love that better-than-vintage tone!), volume ALWAYS maxed out, S/P Switches up, Bass, Midrange, and Treble virtually flat, unless I need a taste of any of the BMT (I find there is an incredible amount of tonal headroom here, so, adjustments (+/-) are minimal). ;)


If you're panned all the way to the neck pickup then only 1 switch matters!

I'll set mine up like this tonight and see how it sounds.

[Tim Pruitt]

Volume: all the way
Pkups: middle of the road
High: 2 oclock
Mids: flat
Low: 2-3 oclock

Eden head: flaaaaaaat!

[Ronson Hall]

Volume: all the way
Pkups: middle of the road
High: 2 oclock
Mids: flat
Low: 2-3 oclock

Eden head: flaaaaaaat!

Now guys, keep me straight here: On all the knobs on the Smith, you're considering the indentation to be "12 o'clock" position, correct? :confused:

[Tim Bishop]

Now guys, keep me straight here: On all the knobs on the Smith, you're considering the indentation to be "12 o'clock" position, correct? :confused:


Ronson, yes. Actually it is known as "center detent" position and that would obviously apply to the BMT settings only. ;)

[Bob Faulkner]

Now guys, keep me straight here: On all the knobs on the Smith, you're considering the indentation to be "12 o'clock" position, correct? :confused:


The "notch" should be pointing straight up if you're looking at the face of the bass. Imagine looking at someone who is sitting down playing the bass. You're looking at the front of the bass, right side up, neck pointing to the right (3:00). The notch should be pointing at the ceiling, or 12:00 on a clock face.



As an aside, Ken, do you use different pots on lefty basses or do they operate on the same clockwise=up idea as the righty basses?

[Ronson Hall]

The "notch" should be pointing straight up if you're looking at the face of the bass. Imagine looking at someone who is sitting down playing the bass. You're looking at the front of the bass, right side up, neck pointing to the right (3:00). The notch should be pointing at the ceiling, or 12:00 on a clock face.



As an aside, Ken, do you use different pots on lefty basses or do they operate on the same clockwise=up idea as the righty basses?

Thanks, Tim & Bob.

Incidentally, I'm also gettting used to having a "mid pot" as I have been a lifetime bass & treble pot guy. I've started off like Tim Pruitt: Mids, flat!

[Dennis Michaels]

This one for me is easy. First of all I play/endorse Eden amplification. I use a WT550/WT400/WT1000 with ant combination of 210XST 4ohm/ dual 212XLT 4ohms and a 112XLT. My head are usually set flat.


My 5M tiger maple fretted has "no" extra switches just 3 band tone. I use it %95 of the time with the eq disengaged (by-passed). If I slap I do engage the eq with the mid control at about 2 O'clock. This adds just enough body to keep a slap tone fat.

My Fretless walnut 5M is also run with the eq by pass and no extra switches, just the stock tone controls. It is huge and growly with NO eq. so I don't use it. If I am doing more of a fusion thing I do run %75 bridge with a slight ( bass at about 1 o"clock and mids about 1:30-2 O'clock) for a little more growly gut to the bridge pickup. Ken was amazed when he built my fretless when I dod not opt for the extra switches. He asked on 4 occassions if I wanted them. He is a master in every way when it comes to this whole building thing. He asked what kind of tome I wanted and I told him I want it to sound like my tiger maple 5 but with a little darker sound. He said walnut is the way. I like lighter colored woods but I trusted him and the outcome still blows my mind.

[Tim Bishop]

This one for me is easy. First of all I play/endorse Eden amplification. I use a WT550/WT400/WT1000 with ant combination of 210XST 4ohm/ dual 212XLT 4ohms and a 112XLT. My head are usually set flat.


My 5M tiger maple fretted has "no" extra switches just 3 band tone. I use it %95 of the time with the eq disengaged (by-passed). If I slap I do engage the eq with the mid control at about 2 O'clock. This adds just enough body to keep a slap tone fat.

My Fretless walnut 5M is also run with the eq by pass and no extra switches, just the stock tone controls. It is huge and growly with NO eq. so I don't use it. If I am doing more of a fusion thing I do run %75 bridge with a slight ( bass at about 1 o"clock and mids about 1:30-2 O'clock) for a little more growly gut to the bridge pickup. Ken was amazed when he built my fretless when I dod not opt for the extra switches. He asked on 4 occassions if I wanted them. He is a master in every way when it comes to this whole building thing. He asked what kind of tome I wanted and I told him I want it to sound like my tiger maple 5 but with a little darker sound. He said walnut is the way. I like lighter colored woods but I trusted him and the outcome still blows my mind.

Dennis, just makin sure I am clear; when you say "eq by pass", you are saying that you play with the Smith in Passive Mode (i.e. volume knob pulled up)?

[Dennis Michaels]

Yes that is what I am saying. I know Ken designed that circuit as an emergency by pass in the event that your battery dies and I believe the owners manual says to only use it for that. However, they are so perfectly built eq'ing isn't needed for me to get my tone.



Dennis, just makin sure I am clear; when you say "eq by pass", you are saying that you play with the Smith in Passive Mode (i.e. volume knob pulled up)?

[Bob Faulkner]

I know Ken designed that circuit as an emergency by pass in the event that your battery dies and I believe the owners manual says to only use it for that.

Actually it just warns against frequent switching of the push/pull switch as they typically don't last for a great number of cycles. I'm pretty sure you can leave it in passive mode with no issues at all. Just so long as you're not popping in and out of passive mode 12 times a day.

[Ken Smith]

Actually it just warns against frequent switching of the push/pull switch as they typically don't last for a great number of cycles. I'm pretty sure you can leave it in passive mode with no issues at all. Just so long as you're not popping in and out of passive mode 12 times a day.

The Volume Push/Pull Pots we use today ate way way stronger that the original ones we had back in 1979-1993. We worked hard to get these improvements made as we had to have the Pots custom built in the beginning and even paid tooling charges as these were not on the market to the specs we needed. The Pot we use now as before is still intended as a Pot and not a switch but we still keep that warning in the info to cover over use as a Toggle switch is still considered to be stronger for this purpose.

[Dennis Michaels]

And I will do my best not to destroy mine. I promise... really I do. Passive sounds soooooo good.

[Steve_M]

I run my amp and basses totally flat as a rule. I have a simple set up where my basses give me the tone I want, my GK amps just make it louder and if there's any part of my bass I can't hear then I use the eq on my amps to compensate.

However occasionally I'll adjust the treble and bass onboard eq to compliment a specific style of music I'm playing (more bass and less treble for ska, more mids for slap) although within small limits because otherwise it can mean adjusting the gain controls on my mixer.

I sold my Eden WT800 because it didn't suit the Smiths very well but the WT800 and WT400 amps sound very different to me. The WT400 sounds louder and flatter.

[Dennis Michaels]

I run my amp and basses totally flat as a rule. I have a simple set up where my basses give me the tone I want, my GK amps just make it louder and if there's any part of my bass I can't hear then I use the eq on my amps to compensate.

However occasionally I'll adjust the treble and bass onboard eq to compliment a specific style of music I'm playing (more bass and less treble for ska, more mids for slap) although within small limits because otherwise it can mean adjusting the gain controls on my mixer.

I sold my Eden WT800 because it didn't suit the Smiths very well but the WT800 and WT400 amps sound very different to me. The WT400 sounds louder and flatter.


So much depends on cabinetry used. Most run the 800 with a 410XLT... I HATE that cabinet. With the 212's I love my tone. The 210XST/112XLT gets it done real nice as well and is my main rock rig.

[Tim Bishop]

So much depends on cabinetry used. Most run the 800 with a 410XLT... I HATE that cabinet. With the 212's I love my tone. The 210XST/112XLT gets it done real nice as well and is my main rock rig.

Dennis, what is it about the 410XLT that you "HATE"?

[Dennis Michaels]

Dennis, what is it about the 410XLT that you "HATE"?



The MIDS are WAY TOOOOOOO Agressive. I never had any luck eq'ing the mid bump out of the 410XLT. I guess they just aren't flat enough for me. My Smith's for the tone I want have enough mids to get it done... I feel as tho' the bump tho' it will help cut through a band is just a hair, a big hair too much. To try to eq the nature of the cabinet out just messes with sonic properties too much to be useful to me. Many friends.Eden endorsers love them. They just don't work for me. It's just my opinion but Eden makes plenty of cabinets I love.

[Albert Smith]

Honestly I never played through a matched Eden rig, I either found myself playing through someones Eden head or someones Eden cab, mostly 2-10 or 4-10. I cant say that I actually had that epiphany when it comes to the clarity surrounding the Eden brand. I do look forward to playing through a matched set Head as well as cab. It will be interesting to see if I'm persuaded to cross over from my Ampeg rig to Eden. :D

[Dennis Michaels]

Honestly I never played through a matched Eden rig, I either found myself playing through someones Eden head or someones Eden cab, mostly 2-10 or 4-10. I cant say that I actually had that epiphany when it comes to the clarity surrounding the Eden brand. I do look forward to playing through a matched set Head as well as cab. It will be interesting to see if I'm persuaded to cross over from my Ampeg rig to Eden. :D

I played Ampeg for 20 years. For me the first time I plugged into an Eden rig was like abreath of non muddy fresh air. I found a deal on a new WT550 because I needed a back up head for my SVTIIIPro. I lved how it sounded. I ordered my first Eden cabinet from Zzounds.com. They had a 30 day money back gnty. I ordered a 4 ohm 210XST and never looked back. It was more potent than the pair of 210HE's I was running with the IIIPro. Now I run mainly 212 cabs for most things. For rock gigs depending on the type I'll run the 210XST/112XLT combination, the 210/212 or for classic rock dual 212's.

[Ronson Hall]

I played Ampeg for 20 years. For me the first time I plugged into an Eden rig was like abreath of non muddy fresh air. I found a deal on a new WT550 because I needed a back up head for my SVTIIIPro. I lved how it sounded. I ordered my first Eden cabinet from Zzounds.com. They had a 30 day money back gnty. I ordered a 4 ohm 210XST and never looked back. It was more potent than the pair of 210HE's I was running with the IIIPro. Now I run mainly 212 cabs for most things. For rock gigs depending on the type I'll run the 210XST/112XLT combination, the 210/212 or for classic rock dual 212's.


Dennis, what do you appreciate most about the 212 cabinet, or the 12" speaker enclosures as a whole? Is it the volume/clarity, or the ability of the cabinet to handle anything?

I'm asking becuase I've become so accustomed to 10" speakers, I find myself hesitant in considering other speaker sizes. Plus, I play in church 95% of the time, and I haven't seen a need for bigger speakers.

Also, for years I've played out of a SWR Goliath III (410) cab. I LOVE my Eden Traveler Plus, but I'm afriad I've been missing out on a whooooole lot because it's an 8 ohm cab (although it sounds great).

I probably need to seriously consider some Eden 4 ohm cabs, huh? :confused:

[Dennis Michaels]

The 212XLT is a very old school sounding cabinet and in my opinion a great middle of the road between a traditional XLT and XST. The tone to me is very remenisant of the late '70's Sunn concert bass 215 only with tightness and clarity. I was a 10's guy for 20 years. The 112XLT is definately an XLT cabinet. I love it for theater btouring and church work because it cuts without having a BIG bottom. The 112 runs to 38hz but has an agressive mid. The 212 is just a fat "do all" cabinet. My 212's are 4 ohm so I can run one with my WT400 and get the power.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/Fretlessboy/IMG_0077.jpg




http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/Fretlessboy/gear/100_3580A.jpg


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/Fretlessboy/gear/IMG_1288_01A.jpg

[Chris Holsopple]

When I bought my first Eden set up, I started with a WT800. They were then rated at 425 watts per/ch @ 4 ohms. I was so dissappointed with the output (lack of) I was sure there was something wrong with the head. A few days later I returned it for another one and the new one was no different. So I took a Crest FA901 out of my PA rack and used it for power coming out of the post FX jacks on the WT800. The Crest put the Eden's power section to shame and the Crest was, if I recall correctly, rated at 370 watts per/ch @ 4 ohms. There really was no comparison. I took the WT800 back to the store and left with a Navigator preamp and used the Crest for power. The Crest was cleaner than the Eden power section, as well. A few years ago I upgraded to a Crest LT1000, but when my back started giving me problems, I opted for a QSC PLX 2400, thereby losing 17 lbs from the rack. I have all kinds of headroom, but the low "oomph" just doesn't seem up to par with the Crest. Most guys who use 12's or 10's probably wouldn't notice it, tho (I also use Eden 18's).
EQ wise, the Navi is pretty close to flat, just a slight bump at 140Hz and 6.8kHz, and the low control is boosted slightly. The enhance is strait up at 12 o'clock. On both my Smiths (they do vary slightly) I generally start out with the hi and mid boosted about 3db and leave the low flat or a slight boost and just tune them to the room.
Now if Eden would just make super-lite cabs.... (no, not the Nemesis stuff :rolleyes: )

[Dennis Michaels]

When I bought my first Eden set up, I started with a WT800. They were then rated at 425 watts per/ch @ 4 ohms. I was so dissappointed with the output (lack of) I was sure there was something wrong with the head. A few days later I returned it for another one and the new one was no different. So I took a Crest FA901 out of my PA rack and used it for power coming out of the post FX jacks on the WT800. The Crest put the Eden's power section to shame and the Crest was, if I recall correctly, rated at 370 watts per/ch @ 4 ohms. There really was no comparison. I took the WT800 back to the store and left with a Navigator preamp and used the Crest for power. The Crest was cleaner than the Eden power section, as well. A few years ago I upgraded to a Crest LT1000, but when my back started giving me problems, I opted for a QSC PLX 2400, thereby losing 17 lbs from the rack. I have all kinds of headroom, but the low "oomph" just doesn't seem up to par with the Crest. Most guys who use 12's or 10's probably wouldn't notice it, tho (I also use Eden 18's).
EQ wise, the Navi is pretty close to flat, just a slight bump at 140Hz and 6.8kHz, and the low control is boosted slightly. The enhance is strait up at 12 o'clock. On both my Smiths (they do vary slightly) I generally start out with the hi and mid boosted about 3db and leave the low flat or a slight boost and just tune them to the room.
Now if Eden would just make super-lite cabs.... (no, not the Nemesis stuff :rolleyes: )


I know what you are saying about cabinet weight. I run the 550 because it will give me 550 at 4 ohms and 750 at 2. I an trying to talk him into do a 1200 watt at 2 ohm mono head. No matter whatter they do, most of their heads (stero type) max at about 450 at 4.They are working on new neo cabinets but David says it hard to come up with a design that won't melt down after a year of hard driving. People want neos for normal gigging NOT low power gigs. I want a nav. to rack with my WT1000 but here again it is 450 a side or 1000 bribged at 4.

[Jeff Lee]

Treble Flat, Mid Flat, Bass depending on room. Pan, just a a tad more of the bridge PU. To me, the indent on the blend is 6 o'clock since I'm looking down at the bass so around 5 o'clock.

Bridge PU Series, Neck Parallel.

Examples on www.jeffleebass.com