loss of brilliance

[David Wolliston]

Originally Posted by Christopher Rhodes

I recently put a set of Burners, Light gauge, on my 1993 BMT. It totally came to life. The bass sounds better than it did when I purchased it. I started noticing the better tone output about 5 years ago. I am convinced, as it ages - the tone is getting better.

I read that neck thru basses have a stronger fundamentally lows than bolt-on necks. So a did some tests between my Smith neck-thru basses vs. the bolt-on necks - guess what - it is true. The Smith had a much stronger low end response and compared to the others.

So if you plug your neck-thru smith in amp that has EQ settings for a bolt-on bass - the Smith could sound muddy.

Additionally if you plug a bolt on bass in an amp with EQ settings for a neck-thru Smith - the bolt-on "most likely" will have very little to no low end response.

These are my observations...

And I could be wrong

Hiya Christopher,

Are there such amp settings that are specifically for Bolt-ons and neck-thru's? If so which one's?

[Ken Smith]

Unless the BO you tested and the NT you tested were the exact same model and woods and ALL features, there is no way to make a comparison. Even two basses of the same model or either design in the same woods might vary in tone.

The two comparable features between the BO and NT that cannot be altered are the neck construction joint and pitch angle. All else can be 100% identical with the 3rd exception of the center Neck wood or Center block in the BO. All else in the body and neck can be the same. The difference in the joint angles will matter as much or more than wood combinations. The neck construction, 3, 5, or 7 piece changes as well. Also the woods used to make up the neck.

The humidity in the air or room you play in will alter your EQ as much as anything else.

Go in to every gig or rehearsal with open ears. Start with the EQ you know and adjust it from there. No hokus pokus about it whatsoever..

[Christopher Rhodes]

Ken is right. There is no exact way to measure this. All types of variables come into play when dialing in "your" tone.

There are no specific amp settings - it is all subjective to your desired tone.

My experience has been to set my Smith bass flat, then EQ the amp to the point I like it. Next I use the EQ controls on the bass to "fine EQ" the tone if needed.

Again, these are just my observations - no scientific ****ysis of sound waves and such .

BTW: New strings seem to help a lot - I prefer Smith Burners on all my axes .

[Saul Hurtado]

Originally Posted by Christopher Rhodes

Ken is right. There is no exact way to measure this. All types of variables come into play when dialing in "your" tone.

There are no specific amp settings - it is all subjective to your desired tone.

My experience has been to set my Smith bass flat, then EQ the amp to the point I like it. Next I use the EQ controls on the bass to "fine EQ" the tone if needed.

Again, these are just my observations - no scientific ****ysis of sound waves and such .

BTW: New strings seem to help a lot - I prefer Smith Burners on all my axes .

Christopher you hit right on the money! I like to do the same, set my KS flat, so it will give a neutral EQ on the electronics and let the wood do the work. Then I make adjustments to my amp's EQ, for the preferred sound of the style of music I'm playing.

I learned this technique about 12 years ago with a great bass player, he had a KS bolt on. He told me he likes to set his KS flat, let the wood work and EQ hte amp according to his taste. I've played with 2 KS basses in the past and I currently own one. Very Happy by the way! On all 3 KS basses this has worked for me.

Like you said no scientific method, I guess it just goes according to your ear and what you like.