Designing my own bass

[progodskills88]

Hi this is my first time posting on this website
I currently have a music man sterling SB-14 and (from what ive heard) its not as trebley as i want it to be
so for a recent project im designing my own bass, and i want a brighter, more poppy sound for slapping.
what types of wood would you guys recommend i use for my neck?
thanks

 

[line6man]

Canary or Padouk, or some other bright exotic.

 

[SkuttleFunk]

a MM is not as trebly as what you want?

since I know nothing of your playing (abilities, style preferences, techniques, maturity, etc ...) my suggestion would be to address your situation in this order (that you already have adjusted your playing style to maximize treble output is assumed):

1) strings (what are you using and how old are they?)
2) playing technique (how do you address the strings and where?)
3) amp/cab configuration (what are you using, and how do you have the EQ set?)
4) pickups (what is installed on your bass?)

all the best,

R

 

[jimh]

a MM is not as trebly as what you want?

since I know nothing of your playing (abilities, style preferences, techniques, maturity, etc ...) my suggestion would be to address your situation in this order (that you already have adjusted your playing style to maximize treble output is assumed):

1) strings (what are you using and how old are they?)
2) playing technique (how do you address the strings and where?)
3) amp/cab configuration (what are you using, and how do you have the EQ set?)
4) pickups (what is installed on your bass?)

all the best,

R

+1

 

[Cagey]

That bass has a rosewood over maple neck, and active electronics that can actually boost the treble, so you should have boatloads of high end already available if you don't roll it off. The basswood body may be eating a little of the high-end bite, but I would think you should still be able to slap that thing silly and have it come out right. But, I'm not a bass player, so I don't really know. Isn't a bass a low-frequency instrument by design?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've never heard a complaint of an MM not being trebley enough.  If going for a good slap sound, scoop the mids.

And yes Cagey, bass is a lowend instrument.  That's why our cabs have horns and guitar cabs don't. lol

Oh wait!  Horns aren't for low frequencies.

 

[tubby.twins]

Isn't a bass a low-frequency instrument by design?

Depends on how you play.  For me, the fundamental is important, but the true strength of a bass is in the midrange.

I would recommend that the OP start looking at pickups.  For a fretted bass, the neck and body woods aren't going to matter as much as the construction of the pickup and what you do with its signal.  You should research and test pickups which have an extended treble response, or at least a resonant peak that is in the "right place" for your playing style.  It's awfully hard for a pre-amp to boost something that isn't there in the first place.  Additionally, check the specs of different onboard pre-amps (if you use them) to see the frequency for the treble control.  Higher is usually better.

Delano's MusicMan pickups in the "HE" series seem to work very well.  They have a lot of clarity and a good high end response.

 

[Cagey]

And yes Cagey, bass is a lowend instrument.  That's why our cabs have horns and guitar cabs don't. lol

Bass cabs has horns cuz they conceived by de debbil! It why they so heavy! They filled with sin!​

 

[progodskills88]

thanks for all the opinions!
also, what pickups would u recommend i look at?

 

[Dan025]

And yes Cagey, bass is a lowend instrument.  That's why our cabs have horns and guitar cabs don't. lol

Oh wait!  Horns aren't for low frequencies.

well they can be, but you wouldn't be hauling one around if a horn was designed for bass, there are horn subwoofers that use the walls of a room as an extention of the horn though and you must put them in a certain relationship to a corner of the room.

 

[SkuttleFunk]

thanks for all the opinions!
also, what pickups would u recommend i look at?

I'd like to help, but you never answered my questions. without some additional details, the advice offered here is as about as accurate as the lottery numbers you scratched this afternoon

all the best,

R

 

[progodskills88]

a MM is not as trebly as what you want?

since I know nothing of your playing (abilities, style preferences, techniques, maturity, etc ...) my suggestion would be to address your situation in this order (that you already have adjusted your playing style to maximize treble output is assumed):

1) strings (what are you using and how old are they?)
2) playing technique (how do you address the strings and where?)
3) amp/cab configuration (what are you using, and how do you have the EQ set?)
4) pickups (what is installed on your bass?)

all the best,

R

sry about not answering ur questions!
okay... well atm im using the fender pure nickel bass strings, changed em like a month ago
hmm i prefer to slap most of the time, and i kinda do it somewhere just behind the fretboard so when i slap my thumb is just missing the 22nd fret. when i finger pick, i try to do it around there, if not a little closer to the pickup.
i forgot what cables i use, but my amp is the line 6 low down studio 110 bass amp.
Finally i think i have the seamore duncan pickups
hope that helps!

 

[baskruit]

Try stainless-steel strings. They usually sound brighter.

I personally own a Music Man Sterling and that's one bright bass by the way. It does have an all maple neck though.