How do you Q?

[studiorecluse]

I have been pouring through the forum unable to make heads nor tails regarding practical application of the 2-position vs 3-position vs CVQ controls.  I have read what they do, but would like to hear some feedback  from some of you on your experiences of how you actually use the Q controls.  What are your experiences, why did you choose what you did, and how do you put it to use in the real world?  Inquiring minds want to know.

[hieronymous]

One of my fundamental Q experiences was P-Bass Activators in a modified '70s Fender Telecaster. I liked the extremes it produced, but also realized they were pretty extreme.


I later acquired a PJ set and baked-in +8 was too much! I wanted options. A 3 position Q switch is ideal for me - I actually love the zero Q setting! Very natural, cops a bunch of different sounds. The middle position lets me add some juice if I need it in that frequency. I rarely use the full boost. When I have tried, too much low frequency loss. But that might be what you want in certain situations - so it's there!


I vote 3 position. QVC sounds like option anxiety for me! I'm not a knob tweaker while I'm playing - I like to find a good sound and PLAY!

[rv_bass]

I like the variability in the three position Q, and I prefer the distinct differences in the three settings over a CVQ. I usually set to the middle position for the neck pickup for a little clarity and boost at the attack, and off for the bridge pickup for warmth.  I will sometimes turn down the filter and use the Q third position when soloing on the bridge pickup.  The best thing to do is spend time experimenting, there are many sounds to be had with all of the possible combinations.  Have fun!  😊🎶🎶

[adriaan]

You might think of it as adding a bit of seasoning, a lot, or none. The dish itself is in the blend of the pickups and your choice of strings, the sauce is where you set the filter(s). Get cooking!

[jazzyvee]

Most of the time i don't use the q at all as i generally play warm sounding bass lines. Slapping is where i tend to use Q or when playing with bands using acoustic guitars as the increased attack you get with higher q settings and a fairly bright filter setting tends to emphasise the acoustic sound of the music whilst still keeping the bottom end. On the rare times i do an improvised solo i use the filter position and Q to get as a kind of boost to lift the tone to make it stand out. In contrast to Harry, i've always been a tone tweaker on bass so it's rare that i start a song and end it with the same tone.

[edwardofhuncote]

In, just to say I miss QVC... I haven't had cable television since 2007. Many a sleepless night those those endless infomercials kept me going though... somewhere deep, deep, deeeeep in the Acoustic Endeavors cataloge of tunes that died in the cutting room is cute a little mandolin instrumental piece called "Infomercial".


I add or take away Q-switch just based on taste. Like Jazzyvee, most music I play calls for warmer, mellower tones. And to that end, I had 3-position Q-switches with lower values installed in both of my 5-string Alembics. 0-3-6dB. (I think...) I tend to play with them either off, or in the middle position. On my Series bass, same... either off, or middle position. My other Series bass has been fitted with CVQ's, but I've yet to try them... the Elves are still exorcizing its gremlins. I kinda' expect I'll just adopt a 'set it and forget it' policy with them as well.

[keith_h]

I think the decision process between CVQ or switches depends upon if you are the type that likes to tweak your sound or if you are more of a set it and forget it player. I am the latter so fixed values for the Q is fine with me.

For me the preferred type of Q-switch is 3 positions. My first Alembic with filters did not have a Q-switch which meant the bass was always in boost. After a short while it was too much for me so I added a 2 position Q-switch. Likewise my EMW fretless and Brown Bass both have 2 position Q-switches. Over time I found I was using the boost position more as an effect than for regular playing when I wanted the bass to be more in the front of the music. My Series 1 and current main bass came with a three position Q-switch. I've found that I still use the full 9db boost as an effect but will frequently use the middle 6db boost in regular playing. It adds just enough to help cut through the mix without being over bearing. I've wondered what a 0/3/6 db setup as Adriaan has would be like but don't play enough anymore to take it further. There's my two cents for what its worth. 

[adriaan]

Keith, indeed I had a Spoiler changed to the 0-3-6 dB settings, as the 8 db setting - to my ears - was just harsh. I used to have the filter on or near fully open most of the time, and the Q at 3dB.. The Spoiler fled the nest recently, leaving me with a Series Ii with the CVQ's which ironically make it difficult for me to determine where I am on a Q scale of 0 to 15 dB. My favourite is having the neck filter nearly fully closed with the CVQ probably less than half up, and the bridge filter nearly fully open with slightly less Q.

[Mellowgerman]

I find the +8 Q boost setting to be more useful when you've got dual filters on board, as it allows you to put a little extra emphasis on one or the other filter when blending between two (as I've found with my modified Guild Starfire and Gibson EB-0 basses). With my Spoiler, only having a single filter with +0/+4/+8, I almost never use the +8 setting. Depending on the song, I go back and forth between +0 and +4, and adjust the filter as well. That said, I like tapewound and flatwound strings on my basses and play only fingerstyle or with a pick. I could see if a player likes to implement more aggressive slapping or tapping techniques and want to really emphasize that roundwound sizzle, the +8 setting could be more useful. Best to experiment and find what your ears and hands like the most!