Eq pedal recommendation

**Frank67** · 09-22-2012, 06:59 AM

I was wondering what eq pedals are out there that can be recomended? I know about the Boss GE7 of course and an MXR one.

I have been fooling around eith the Paradriver now for a while and i don't like it for my archtops. I think it colours the sound too strongly and not only in a good way. And there are also these pretty crazy volume differences that i found so,ewhwt difficult to comtrol. It does a very fine job with piezo pickups and accoustic amplifiers but for magnetic pickups and archtops it is "out" for me. (sounds like Jorge has made similar experiences?)

The reason i am interested in an eq pedal is that i have a nice tube amp with basically no tone controls and i want to be able to shape the sound a bit and perhaps also eliminate feedback or boomy frequencies. So i guess a graphic eq is the right thing to do (and also transparent in terms of use). Is the Boss the best bet or are there good alternatives around? Set flat it shouldn't color the tone at all and it sounded to me from what i heard so far as if the Boss is at least reasonable in that department.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experiences!

**jorgemg1984** · 09-22-2012, 07:09 AM

Hi frank!

The Para DI works very nice with my acoustics and I do like the mids with my archtops but not the bass / treble so much. And I never bounded with the tube emulation thing (that I did not needed in the first place). And yes there are some volume issues sometimes when you cut the mids a lot! But as an acoustic pedal it's a nice and compact solution (as I use it currently)

For amps with no tone-controls I like the Fromel Shape EQ for bass and treble. For mids I have become a fan of parametric pedals... And for feedback a notch control is usually the best - although a parametric eq with a very small Q should do the same I guess. Graphic eqs are nice but not very versatile...

I hope I did not confuse you but my solution works great for me - although very expensve, something like the Fromel and an Empress Parametric (that could probably be used for feedback taming and controling the mids) will be close to 400€...

**Gabe** · 09-22-2012, 07:25 AM

If I were you I'd just go with an MXR eq, the 10 band will give you a wide range to shape. Plus if you buy second hand and you don't like it you'll be able to flip it without losing any money.

**kris** · 09-22-2012, 08:38 AM

I use Boss EQ...working ok.

**Frank67** · 09-22-2012, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Gabe

If I were you I'd just go with an MXR eq, the 10 band will give you a wide range to shape. Plus if you buy second hand and you don't like it you'll be able to flip it without losing any money.

The MXR looks pretty good. But is it true to the original tone? E.g. When set flat it should not cchange the tone. The Boss seems to do this reasonably well. For what i heard on Youtube of the MXR i wasn't so sure - but it is only Youtube and the sound quality of the clips is of course not the last word.

Thanks for all the input!

**jorgemg1984** · 09-22-2012, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by FrankLearns

The MXR looks pretty good. But is it true to the original tone? E.g. When set flat it should not cchange the tone. The Boss seems to do this reasonably well. For what i heard on Youtube of the MXR i wasn't so sure - but it is only Youtube and the sound quality of the clips is of course not the last word.

Thanks for all the input!

The Boss benefits a lot from Monte Allums mods. I had one modded and flat the original tone was preserved - which is not true for most Boss pedals in my experience. But graphic eqs tend to kill not only what you want but also a lot more - which can be a tone killer in the mids department.

**Frank67** · 09-22-2012, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Hi frank!

The Para DI works very nice with my acoustics and I do like the mids with my archtops but not the bass / treble so much. And I never bounded with the tube emulation thing (that I did not needed in the first place). And yes there are some volume issues sometimes when you cut the mids a lot! But as an acoustic pedal it's a nice and compact solution (as I use it currently)

.

Thanks Jorge,

You are a lot more knowledgeable about these things than me. I agree that the mids are fine on the paradriver. Just overall it has just too much impact on the sound. I think i would like it ok, if i'd go to a fullrange speaker or go direct but i am put off by having it messin' with the base sound of whatever amp one attaches it too (even when it is not engaged). So I think i'll keep the paradriver reserved with for the accoustics and find another solution for my tube amp - thanks also for your valuable input there!

Take care,
Frank

**jorgemg1984** · 09-22-2012, 05:59 PM

No need to thank Frank, I have also learned a lot from other forum members about these things! EQ pedals sort of solved my tone seeking crusade

I wish Fromel did the Shape EQ with a fully one band parametric mids - which is basically an old Ibanez PQL. It would have been the perfect eq pedal!

Do you feel you need to tame highs and lows or shape mids in your amp? Or both?

**Marto** · 09-22-2012, 06:10 PM

I am a fan of the Empress Para EQ, I bought it out of curiosity really but I use it constantly when playing now. It can boost your signal but only if you want it to. It's also easier to use than I expected it to be.

Here's a video Jack Zucker made that demonstrates the pedal quite well.

**Frank67** · 09-23-2012, 02:53 AM

Actually the empress looks intereting too. It is obviously a different concept but one that makes sense to me as well. I don't care too much about the boost function but the eq capabilitie appear to be pretty comprehensive. So I take it that set flat the sound isn't changed?

**David B** · 09-23-2012, 03:44 AM

The Source Audio EQ looks promising.

**Frank67** · 09-23-2012, 04:14 AM

I dig the idea to have four presets. How easy is it to dial it in?

**kris** · 09-23-2012, 04:34 AM

looks interesting.
Easy function "scroll" by footswtch/4 presets/..

**oldane** · 09-23-2012, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by Marto

I am a fan of the Empress Para EQ, I bought it out of curiosity really but I use it constantly when playing now. It can boost your signal but only if you want it to. It's also easier to use than I expected it to be.

+1 - if you want to go the parametric EQ way. Some love it, others have a very hard time getting the hang of it. I have this pedal myself, and I think it's the closest you can get to studio quality parametric EQ in pedal form (but there is not much to choose from).

**jorgemg1984** · 09-23-2012, 07:35 AM

There's the WMD utility, which is smaller, cheaper and has a fully Q control (very relevant for me). I find the Empress a little expensive and I do miss a full Q control.

If you know any builder near you the BYOC parametric EQ has an available schematic. My tech is doing me one with just he first two bands and OPA2134 op-amps for 100€.

Parametrics do have a big learning curve - but it's worth it imo. But I still think a good shelving eq works best for taming bass and treble than a parametric.

PS - The boost can be relevant if 1) you cut mids 2) you have a 100% clean amp and low-output pickups, which is common in jazz - a small boost can sometimes fatten your sound in a good way.

**oldane** · 09-23-2012, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

There's the WMD utility, which is smaller, cheaper and has a fully Q control (very relevant for me). I find the Empress a little expensive and I do miss a full Q control.

Here's an comparison of the two - not by jazz guitarists, but anyway .....

Empress ParaEQ vs WMD Utility Parametric EQ

**kris** · 09-23-2012, 08:14 AM

I think good names/guitarists/ can be a little sugestion.
ex. Scof use Boss GE...:-)

**jorgemg1984** · 09-23-2012, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

Here's an comparison of the two - not by jazz guitarists, but anyway .....

Empress ParaEQ vs WMD Utility Parametric EQ

Very interesting. They talk about other advantage of the WMD - larger bandwith on each band. One thing that it seems to be true about EQs is that it seems there is more than just science about it, some seem to work better than others for no apparent reason - so, nothing like trying. The Fromel has that amazing thing that it really shapes your sound but while leaving sort of untouched - I know is seems paradoxical but it's how it sounds to me. EQs always seem to have this shape vs transparency duality in them...

Oh and the WMD does not have any center frequencies marked which can be bad but it can also lead you to use your ears instead of your brain.

**jorgemg1984** · 09-23-2012, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by kris

I think good names/guitarists/ can be a little sugestion.
ex. Scof use Boss GE...:-)

Ýeah, Kurt uses the ParaEq, Hekselman the big MXR, Lund the small one.

Frank if your're still starting with EQs maybe get a used GE-7 (usually cheap) and have someone add Monte Allums mods (also cheap for sure). I bought one used already with MA mods and it was an excellent way of entering the EQ world.

**Frank67** · 09-23-2012, 09:43 AM

Hi Jorge,

That is probably the right thing to do in order not to get overwhelmed. It really seems to be a very subtle issue and I am certainly not experienced in this area. Thanks for all the suggestions!