EQ Advice

[SavageRiffer]

I'm going to buy an EQ pedal so I can get a bit more versatility from one of my amps. Maxon has always been my favorite, so I've been thinking about getting a GE-601. However, I have heard great things about the BOSS, MXR, and even better things about the new Mesa Boogie EQ pedal. Anyway, I'd like to know your suggestions on the best EQ pedal. I'd also like to know about EQ placement. I read something somewhere a while back that was talking about EQ's placed in the FX loop. Is there an advantage to that? What is the ideal placement of an EQ pedal on the pedalboard?

 

[stratjacket]

Well "best" is in the ear of the beholder for sure, but I went through several EQ's and have always used them in my chain. Pedals, rack mounted and inside my AxeFx, always there.

I currently have a Whirlwind Perfect 10 at the end of my pedals right before the input of the amp. I set the Perfect 10 with a frown to push the mids.
Then coming out of the effects loop, the very first pedal is the Mesa Boogie 5 Band EQ set in a classic V mid cut setting. I always use this setup; 1 right before the amp and 1 right after.

They are always on and this setup works well.

The Perfect 10 pedal is kind of pricey and is a constant Q eq.
http://whirlwindusa.com/media/uploads/whirwind_perfect_10_-_constantq.pdf

It's pretty cool, but can't say it's worth the price. But I already made the investment and it sounds great. Its's not night and day difference in using other EQ pedals. I had an MXR 10 band and it seemed like it added noise, but i bought it used and it was pretty old so YMMV.

I'd highly recommend the Mesa EQ pedals.

 

[sg guy]

-I'm an EQ JUNKIE, probably the most powerful tone shaping tool a guitarist can have, and definitely a mandatory tool that every guitarist should have in there tool box,

-I prefer a good quality rack mount EQ, with notching, filtering and boost features, you can run it in the loop or in front, depends on the amp not necessarily if there's a loop or not. A quality rack EQ is always best, not only in all the function's,features and the extended range, they're a lot quieter.

-pedal wise I like the MXR 6 & 10-(not really because there superior, but because I'm so familiar with them and there quirks

 

[CaseyCor]

I'd really like to pick up one of Source Audio's Programmable EQs. I've got a Dano Fish n Chips which does the job quite well, but the allure of presets is too much. I'd like to try the Mesa one as well. The Mesa fanboy in me can't help it.

http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/too ... ble_eq.php

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Eq can do two things, pre distortion eq in fron of the amp that allows for voicing and multi band distortion if the pedal has more than unity gain. In the loop you can do other shaping much more noticeable but also easier to overdo as a novice.

What exactly are you trying to achieve?

The vfe focus or empress parametric are my favorite but proper application is a must with parametric, some knowlede required. Notch, shelving and hi/lo pass filters are grest for the loop.

Graphics are more popular with amateur users but leave odd holes in the sound, easy to wreck a good guitar sound.

 

[SpiderWars]

Eq can do two things, pre distortion eq in fron of the amp that allows for voicing and multi band distortion if the pedal has more than unity gain. In the loop you can do other shaping much more noticeable but also easier to overdo as a novice.

What exactly are you trying to achieve?

The vfe focus or empress parametric are my favorite but proper application is a must with parametric, some knowlede required. Notch, shelving and hi/lo pass filters are grest for the loop.

Graphics are more popular with amateur users but leave odd holes in the sound, easy to wreck a good guitar sound.

Just curious, but if you had an amp that you loved the shape/character of the distortion but had just a bit too much fizzy stuff at the very top end or maybe too much/not enough rumble at the very bottom end...is that where these shelving or Hi/Lo pass filters really surpass an EQ? Graphics can help here but usually with a compromise.

In any case, that's often what I want the loop EQ to do. Tweak those hi highs and lo lows. Because if I really like the amp itself; the rest should already be just how I like it. That's my thinking anyway.

 

[glip22]

The Mesa is the best one I have tried. Cant even remember the ones I used as there were allot. The Mesa has a great range and is very quiet

 

[mixn4him]

Also look at the XTS Modded Boss GE7, they run $150 straight from XTS. Super quiet and actually very musical..

 

[mrcak]

This was my secret weapon in the 80's, when for a time I used a SS GK amp and a DS-1 for distortion

 

[GOHOINC]

I have and love the Earthquaker Tone Job. Super Simple and super effective.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Eq can do two things, pre distortion eq in fron of the amp that allows for voicing and multi band distortion if the pedal has more than unity gain. In the loop you can do other shaping much more noticeable but also easier to overdo as a novice.

What exactly are you trying to achieve?

The vfe focus or empress parametric are my favorite but proper application is a must with parametric, some knowlede required. Notch, shelving and hi/lo pass filters are grest for the loop.

Graphics are more popular with amateur users but leave odd holes in the sound, easy to wreck a good guitar sound.

Just curious, but if you had an amp that you loved the shape/character of the distortion but had just a bit too much fizzy stuff at the very top end or maybe too much/not enough rumble at the very bottom end...is that where these shelving or Hi/Lo pass filters really surpass an EQ? Graphics can help here but usually with a compromise.

In any case, that's often what I want the loop EQ to do. Tweak those hi highs and lo lows. Because if I really like the amp itself; the rest should already be just how I like it. That's my thinking anyway.

then low and high shelving would be best. The built in four band eq inside the app of the source audio one series is excellent.

It would also add a bunch of fx to your loop if you added the eq to ALL of your saved patches.

Id have to look around at eq pedals to see whats available shelving, i only use subtractive eq so something like the vfe focus is perfect. Youd need something different if adding bass or highs betond the amps capability is necessary. The tone job may do this, i cant remember offhand.

 

[Racerxrated]

I'd really like to pick up one of Source Audio's Programmable EQs. I've got a Dano Fish n Chips which does the job quite well, but the allure of presets is too much. I'd like to try the Mesa one as well. The Mesa fanboy in me can't help it.

http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/too ... ble_eq.php

FnChips is better to my ears than mxr or boss EQ pedals. 30 bucks. Transparent, cheap and might be all you need. I run mine in front.

 

[CaseyCor]

I've had my Fish n Chips EQ for like 10 years now. I got it on ebay brand new in the plastic for $25. Quiet and reliable. I don't stomp on it, so I haven't had any issues with the plastic housing.

 

[psychodave]

I love the old Boss GE-10. Super quiet, but works great and add some magic.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I'd really like to pick up one of Source Audio's Programmable EQs. I've got a Dano Fish n Chips which does the job quite well, but the allure of presets is too much. I'd like to try the Mesa one as well. The Mesa fanboy in me can't help it.

http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/too ... ble_eq.php

FnChips is better to my ears than mxr or boss EQ pedals. 30 bucks. Transparent, cheap and might be all you need. I run mine in front.

I second this. I've got a Fish n' Chips and a Boss EQ. The Danelectro sounds better and is dead quiet. Even with the sliders set right in the middle on the Boss it still colors the tone. It adds sizzle with that setting. It's noisey, too. I've been really disappointed with it. The only thing better about the Boss is the switch is easier to turn on and off. The Danaelectro wins hands down between those two. I haven't tried any other brands, so I can't comment on them.