Can't hear my bass!

[walrus]

I have a 1976 4001 modified with a toaster and v63 era horseshoe pickup. I use Thomastic Flats that have been on there for a few years. I just started practicing with a band and cannot hear my notes, especially low E through A. At home it sounds great, but in a loud band situation with the Amps that are supplied in the room that we are renting time in, I am getting lost in the mix.
Am I being too bashful with my volume or are the flats the issue? Any suggestions?

[jwr2]

It could be a lot of things ... your band may play too loud, the acoustics of the room, how the guitars are eqed, how loud the drummer is, what kind of amp you have, etc ....

A good rule of thumb ... mids and low mids are what make a bass punch through the mix ... and of course you need bass and treble as well

Personally I like to turn up and be heard ... but I don't like volume wars ...

[rickenbrother]

Bob, what are you using for amplification?

You might be too modest with your volume level or your amp might not be suitable for your band.

[walrus]

The tricky part is that there are multiple amps involved. Last night it was some Peavey 15" combo. The previous time it was an Eden Head with 2 SWR Goliath 4x10 cabinets. I would think that the Eden/SWR setup should do the trick. Maybe I am being too shy. I will try pushing the mids up a little as Jeff suggests, too.
My major concern is if the flats are the culprit. I will be bummed because I love the sound and feel. If there's anyone out there that has a similar setup, I would love some input.

[rickenbrother]

You have to eq to suit the room. You might have to bump up the mids. I don't know what Eden head you are using, but those SWR Goliath cabs are definitely not slouches when given the right amount of power.

I don't think the flats are the culprit.

[henry5]

I would've thought that the Eden with 2 4x10s would be plenty loud enough, flats or no, although I have found those cabs very mid-shy in the past. I used a single Aguilar 1x12 with an Ashdown ABM500 last night and although the floor wasn't rumbling I could just about hear myself, and I play in a rock band (although our drummer plays pretty light and uses a Yamaha studio kit).

[jwr2]

maybe you have to hit the strings harder

[VRICKY63]

Tell those guitar players to cut the low EQ OUT of the amps ! Guitar players think they sound great with a big thick tone ...its what we call MUD . Guitar mush . Candy *** 6 stringers ! geeeeeez

[beatlefreak]

Turn it up to 11.

[alanz]

You're plugged in right?

[walrus]

OK. Looks like the verdict is to crank up the volume and adjust the mids a bit. Next practice is in 2 weeks. I'll give an update.

[jwr2]

do you still have the .0047 capacitor in there? that thing will rip the balls out of your bass.

Also try getting your pickups closer to the strings.

[tennis_nick]

It's all about knowing your place really.

A guitar should dial in a smorgasborg of mids and highs to give the overall sound of the band a sparkle and guts. If they dial in too much bass they start stepping on the basses toes, which I guess would be the bass frequencies and the low mids.

If everyone played nicely and knew where they fit, you'd be heard (or at least felt, which can be just as important) and all will be good.



...or, your monitor is off!

[walrus]

Monitor is on. Capacitor is gone. I have thought about raising the bridge pickup. I had originally backed it off to level the volume difference between it and the toaster.
I could probably also use a new set of strings. How long do most of you leave the flats on for?

[rickfan63]

It could be a lot of things ... your band may play too loud, the acoustics of the room, how the guitars are eqed, how loud the drummer is, what kind of amp you have, etc ....

A good rule of thumb ... mids and low mids are what make a bass punch through the mix ... and of course you need bass and treble as well

Personally I like to turn up and be heard ... but I don't like volume wars ...

I agree completely! In my experience, volume wars just tend to **** everyone off. As long as I can hear myself well, and not have someone else blast my eardurms out, I'm happy.