Pick Tone and the right EQ

[BassAdder60]

I’ve discovered that in my search for a good PBass pick tone ( fuller and deeper ) that adding bass wasn’t the answer

 

Im finding the following makes the difference in a close enough to finger tone kind of way 

Turn PBass tone control to around 50% 

Leave amp bass tone set as normal

 

Reduce low mids to appear to make sound deeper ( not too much ) as a large scooped tone doesn’t cut through ) 

 

Turn high mids to give a little bite but nothing excessive and leave treble around mid way ( no cut or boost ) 

 

This is where using the amps “ shape” feature that you find on some amps or Ultra Low etc doesn’t really work for this pick tone ( it’s too boomy and sucks too many mids out ) 

 

Its more of a slight reduction in low mids that the increase in mids pick playing doesn’t need ( if you want a fuller sound ) Still got the clank if you need it ( increase bass tone more ) but it’s a good place to start on the amp 

 

Also found using a standard sized pick  was easier to palm mute when required instead of a triangle pick that in truth isn’t that much larger in terms of grip. 

Edited yesterday at 15:36 by BassAdder60

[Hellzero]

And the bigger the pick (plectrum for the others), the fatter the tone.

[BassAdder60]

Just now, Hellzero said:

And the bigger the pick (plectrum for the others), the fatter the tone.

Bigger as in gauge I agree but there becomes a compromise of playing technique if too thick 

[Hellzero]

If I need to play with a pick, it's always at least a 3mm one as it's the closest to finger style tone.

[BassAdder60]

I find between 1mm and 3mm about the best gauge for me 

[dave_bass5]

Ive always used a pick. Not proud of it, it's a habit I can't get out of. 

After 30+ years ive settled on using 1.52mm most of the time. Those EB large shield ones seem to work for me as they are quite grippy. I do very occasionally use a felt or leather pick, but only for certain songs.

Always struggled with tone though. A BDDI went a long way for a couple of decades, but just recently I got an EBS Microbass 3 (and a Nux preamp). Both have sweepable mids and both have been a real eyeopener. I think in someways the BDDI was working as it was reducing some of the attack, but now I realise I was losing too much of the basses natural tone as well.

Edited yesterday at 15:50 by dave_bass5

[BassAdder60]

It makes sense 

Use a pick and mids increase a lot sounding like less bass.

 

Increasing the bass doesn’t work but cutting back the mids does bring the fuller tone back but with that glorious pick tone you can’t get using fingers. 
Well it’s possible of course ( Steve Harris as example ) but lots of string replacements and a ton of gear !  

 

[Dan Dare]

21 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

I find between 1mm and 3mm about the best gauge for me 

 

Same here. I go for about 1.5 mm. I find a thicker pick defeats the object as you lose that click/attack that is so much part of the sound and it approaches the tone you get when playing with fingers. I always loved the pick tone Ladi Geisler achieved on those old Bert Kaempfert records. He used a Jazz bass.

[cetera]

.88 picks for me as they have enough tension to provide solid drive while having enough flexibility to give the click/attack I want.

[Lozz196]

In my old band where I need a harder attack I use .88, in my classic rock band I`m on .73, and looking at .60 as want to reduce wear & tear on my poor paws.

 

I find with the Precision being quite middy a thicker pick encourages lows & highs better, whereas with my Sandberg Jazz being less middy the thinner pick helps bring mids back in.

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Lozz196

[BigRedX]

The material the pick is made out of will make just as much difference as the thickness. If you are still finding your way playing with a pick get a load of different ones in a variety of shapes, sizes, thickness and materials and try them all. There is no right answer when it comes to using a pick, and in fact a lot more variables to deal with since different thicknesses and materials can make a massive difference to the sound. And again there is no right answer to what EQ to use. It will depend not only on all the factors above but also how you want the bass sound to fit into the mix of the other instruments.

Edited 2 hours ago by BigRedX

[BassAdder60]

Also what sounds lacking in isolation can sound perfect with the band 

 

Definitely helps if you tweek the EQ to pull back some of those massive increase in mids when you use a pick 

 

Some songs it works but I’ve found reducing mids slightly works but don’t overdo it as you then get buried in the mix 

[Lozz196]

Most definitely, my preference at present is .73, I have 3 different types:

 

Fender Medium - nice warm, even/vintage sound

Dunlop Tortex - more upper mids and highs to the sound

Dunlop Ultex - modern, scooped sound

 

At home I prefer the Fender, but for the band the Tortex

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Lozz196

[BassAdder60]

I like the JD Delrin 500 in 1mm and 1.5mm and they are very grippy 

 

Normal teardrop shape 

[dave_bass5]

Just now, BassAdder60 said:

I like the JD Delrin 500 in 1mm and 1.5mm and they are very grippy 

 

Normal teardrop shape 

Delrin is also my preferred material.