Woody tone

[only4]

Just wondering if there’s a specific frequency that will bring out the woody tone of a bass or is it predominantly from the instrument’s construction/pickup?

[Dan Dare]

Not possible to say. It will vary from instrument to instrument (even the same make/model). No two are exactly alike. You'll just have to experiment to see what works for your instrument and gear. I would say there is unlikely to be a specific frequency, but a spread of them. The way they interact is important.

[Cliff Edge]

6 minutes ago, Dan Dare said:

Not possible to say. It will vary from instrument to instrument (even the same make/model). No two are exactly alike. You'll just have to experiment to see what works for your instrument and gear. I would say there is unlikely to be a specific frequency, but a spread of them. The way they interact is important.

 

2 hours ago, only4 said:

Just wondering if there’s a specific frequency that will bring out the woody tone of a bass or is it predominantly from the instrument’s construction/pickup?

I know what wood sounds like when I bang my head on a door frame. I wouldn't call it musical. 

[snorkie635]

A tricky question. Your idea of what constitutes a 'woody' sound might be totally different to that of someone else. Might be an idea to drop a link in here to give folks an idea of the type of sound you're thinking of?

 

A lot of the 'sound' of an electric bass comes from pickup type and where they are positioned on the instrument. Woods used in the construction can play a significant part in what the bass sounds like with or without amplification. String choice is another strong contender for tone alteration, not to mention whether you play using finger-style or plectrum/pick, or whatever. Even where you choose to pluck/strike the sting can make a huge difference to the sound produced.

 

You asked about specific frequencies to bring out the 'woody' tone in your post. Assuming that you're using an amplifier and speaker set-up, I'd suggest that a 15"or even an 18" speaker might help you get nearer to what I have in my head for 'woody' tone - I have to revisit what I wrote above and underline, that your idea of the sound might be different from mine (or anyone else's). Further to amp settings, I imagine that lots of treble won't be what you're chasing and too much bass boost could lead to a muffled rumbling. Because of this, I'd recommend that you use an amp, if yours doesn't have this, where you can boost/cut low-mids a little. If you can get together with another BC member in your area, they might have an amp or two you could play through, to see if they can help you nail that sound.

 

You don't say how long you have been playing, so forgive me if comments above seem basic. Maybe you're a veteran of the low-end with a PhD in Acoustics? No doubt, some here will agree with my comments and others will not.  The only way to find the sound you're chasing in your head, is to try a variety of amps, speakers, equalisers, etc. Look on it all as an adventure and enjoy the journey. Very best wishes in your quest.

[Lozz196]

I think of that tone being a pretty much flat Precision pickup, maybe some form of slight boost around 800 - 1000.

[Bolo]

Warwick used to advertise 'the sound of wood'

[Dood]

The all important mid frequencies on bass carry a lot of the timbre information and that would be where the “woodiness” tones live too. As low as 300hz and up to 800hz depending on the instrument and signal chain configuration. Being careful to find which regions impart boxiness or muddiness. There’s a balance to be had, because, for example a speaker cabinet may have a big dip in it’s mid range, making it sound “lower” and deeper, however it will mean there’s more to be pushed in the mids to get them back. So, I suppose I am starting from a “plug the bass straight in to a studio monitor” sort of place. Actually that’s not a bad way to learn what your bass actually sounds like before it enters the signal chain. (I play my basses through big @$$ studio monitors every day, which frankly, dialled in is an absolute joy.. all those lovely rich details coming from such a sublime instrument….) 

 

*someone get Dood his meds, he’s off on one again… 

[ghostwheel]

To me, it was a Jazz bass (especially a '70s one) with the bridge pickup's volume set full on and the neck one's for about a third but also a Stingray (it was 3EQ one), both strung with stainless steel roundwound strings (DR Hi-Beam), that sounded woody.