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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Ronson Hall

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)!!!

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]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

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]

Originally Posted by Tim Pruitt

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?