Amp settings

Jim K · Post by **Jim K** » 11 Mar 2001 2:40 pm

I've set my Nashville 400 to E9th settings in the owners manual and I also found a Buddy Emmons settings on the Nashville, yet,with either setting, I'm still getting a strong bass sound, any suggestions for a more treble sound direction? As usual, Thank you for your responses.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 11 Mar 2001 3:30 pm

Try a buffer amp such as Goodrich Match Box or something similar but less expensive .

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 11 Mar 2001 4:03 pm

Where are you setting the mid? The mid needs to be on 800Hz and the shift on the minus side. If you have the shift on the plus side it will be bassy.

I have a Franklin D-10 with Lawrence 710 pickups. I get lots of bright (clear) mids and highs out of my Nashville 400 (with the factory tone mod). I set the Low at +9, Paramid at 800Hz and shift at -3 and both the High and Presence at +3. This is my initial setting and good for most places I play, however some places require tweaking the EQ.

With the Lawrence 710's I find it is better to go straight than through a MatchBox (or similar device).

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 11 Mar 2001 9:56 pm

Not to state the obvious Jim, but are you running your volume pedal in-line or through the loop circuit? On my Peaveys it makes a very noticeable difference in presence, tone, and perceived volume of the amplifier. Whatever way you are presently using it, try switching to the other setup and see what you get. Just my .02, but try it.

Tim R.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 12 Mar 2001 9:34 am

What brand of guitar?
Realize that Buddy's settings usually have an Emmons guitar in the equation. Since they are among the brightest guitars available (esp the older push-pull models), you may need to back off on the bass and attenuate the low mids like Jack suggested. Cutting a bit (-1 to -3) at around 800Hz is good advice to remove some of the 'woofy' low midrange. Using a buffer amp or match box may also make the low end clearer and boost the highs slightly.

Don't eq your amp solely by the numbers. Start with the recommended settings and listen carefully. I usually start with the bass, listening to the lower strings. The individual notes should be separated and the overall sound should be full but not 'woofy'. The midrange is toughest, but, as a rule, the Shift should be around 800 and the Mid between +3 and -3. LISTEN CAREFULLY as you are adjusting. High and Presence depend a lot on your guitar and pickups, but you usually won't need to boost more than +3 or so.

Get used to this procedure. Find good starting points, then learn to quickly fine tune those settings to a room. You will also find that everything will sound different once other musicians start playing and the room fills up with people.

LTB

LTB

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 12 Mar 2001 12:29 pm

Let's start with basics.

Go direct from the steel to the amp. NO volume pedal, effects, etc.

If the tone brightens up, think about the last time you changed the pot in your volume pedal. A worn old pot could be causing you to lose High Frequency components of your signal between the guitar and amp.

A buffer amp such as a matchbox or a pedal with active electronics built in would also allow all the signal through to your amp (you still will need a good pot except for the newer potless designs). The net effect might well be brighter and less muddy.

John Fabian

Confusion say: "Before fixing problem, isolate the cause of problem."

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Fabian on 12 March 2001 at 12:31 PM.]</p></FONT>

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 12 Mar 2001 12:44 pm

Why not just turn the bass down a little?

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 12 Mar 2001 12:50 pm

Jeff, why propose a simple solution when a several complicated ones are available?

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 12 Mar 2001 7:49 pm

Obviously, Jeff just doesn't get it.

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 13 Mar 2001 9:17 am

Ya'll are right, I kinda took all the fun analysis out of the whole discussion. Sorry.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 13 Mar 2001 7:40 pm

Jeff - You know us. We always have to make brain surgery out of the simplest things!

Lee

PS: Keep this up and you may have your diamond horseshoe ring taken away.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Mar 2001 8:48 pm

If you're using an unpowered volume pedal (one with just a pot) you might have it hooked up backwards.

Jim K · Post by **Jim K** » 14 Mar 2001 10:24 am

Thanks for all the good tips.
Seems like the mid setting must be kept in the minus position, otherwise the hum/buzz appears and increases. Also, reducing the low control has more of a tone effect on the bass, than anticipated. This is probably, all very academic to you, but after reading the Owners Manual about 15X, Shift, Presence, DDT (wasn't that a bug spray), Your commentary and responses surely are a good start, but a laymens guide to electronics and effects would be a real boon. Otherwise, I'll be back with more questions. Thanks for your patience...Regards jim