Pedal EQ or Rack EQ users... how do you use them?

[anomaly]

What do you use your EQ pedals or Rack EQ's for?? What frequencies are you cutting and boosting??

I've used EQ pedals and rack EQ's to good effect in front of an amp, as a gain/signal boost, but in the loop it's another story... I haven't done it much, and I never really know where to start?? So far, it only works well with very minor adjustments, like cutting a little 800hz and then maybe adding a little 2k - 3k for some definition, but only by 3db's or so... any more and it's too drastic.

What are you doing with your EQ's??

Right now I have a Furman PQ-3, MXR 6band, a Joyo 6 band, a Boss PQ-4. I also have Furman PQ-4 on the way. I'm really getting into them lately, especially the Furman PQ-3.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've used a Danelectro fish n chips for a front end boost with almost every amp I've had except for the Cameron Aldrich's and VHT Deliverance. Frown curve with level flat. Also in the loop for a volume boost, depending on the loop. These are cheap and quieter than Boss or MXR and more transparent. Most Marshalls I've had are single channel vintage, and need one or two boosts and others like the SLO dont need one but it sounds better with one imo, tightens it up and turns it into the best sounding modded Marshall ive ever played. Not much experience with rack eq though.

 

[fretout]

I would say the biggest factor is where the FX Loop comes in the tone stack. If it's post EQ, I'll use the EQ Pedal/Rack to dial in my lows/mids/highs while the EQ controls on the amp are used to shape the character of the gain (either making it grainy or smooth).

I do it this way because I can add in bass or mids with the EQ Pedal regardless of where I set the amp's controls. I've got pretty decent results while some of my settings made people give me a look of "dafuq?".

 

[stephen sawall]

I use them after a fuzz sometimes.

 

[Speeddemon]

Recently got a Source Audio Programmable EQ, which can store 4 presets.
I use it mainly with my Engl Ironball at home to make it sound bigger, without sacrificing its base-tone. So just a little boost around 100Hz and 8kHz for added chunk and air, and maybe a little cut around 500Hz.
But 2 presets I've made into more extreme specialty presets;
one scooped V; instant AJFA tone (or Dimebag for that matter)
one inverted V for that AM Radio/phone thing.

Other than that, I usually use modded Boss GE-7's (silent mod/HQ mod) for lead boosts; a little boost for 100Hz, 1.6kHz and 6.4kHz, and some cut around 400Hz and 3.2kHz. Overall level merely 3-4dB boosted.

 

[thenine]

I use the Gilbert Detox EQ last in the input chain for a cut - level low. Cleans it up a bit, adds a pseudo channel. Also use a MXR 6 band in the loop, frown curve, for solo boost.

I have one of those Source Audio Programmables mentioned above but the main on/off switch just flaked out on me so its out of commission until I can get it fixed. Cool pedal.

 

[anomaly]

Cool, keep em coming.... My Furman pq-3 is quickly becoming one of my most important pieces of gear for my tone. It's so versatile. I don't find it noisy either, but I know that is a common complaint about those EQ's. As long as the settings are moderate with the low level input and outputs are being used, it's not noisy at all. Can't wait for the Furman PQ-4. The boss pq4 is cool too.

The last day I've been experimenting with an EQ in the loop of my Randall rg100ht. I got a 3db boost around 250 - 300hz, a 3db, a boost around 4 - 5k for some added definition, and a very slight boost around 10k, just to give it some air, ya know??. These adjustements are very minor, but it really sounds good.

 

[stephen sawall]

Ed Degenaro did a extremely detailed explaintion of each of the EQ bands on his blog a few years ago about heavy guitar. I have never seen anything close to it. I can not find it..... But it is extremely useful.