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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink "Mid Scoop" tone

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BeachBumScott
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Joined: Aug 31, 2009
Posts: 352
The Ranch, CO
Link Posted on Dec 07 2010 02:05 PM

What is it?
Why do I want it?
How do I get it?
Would it be the same as turning down the mid on my amp?

I've read about "scooping mids" here and other places. The most recent is discusing Kenny Wayne Shepherd's Strat, not that I want to sound like him Shocked

See post # 19
http://www.squier-talk.com/forum/v-c-s-parlor/2802-kenny-wayne-shepherd-strat.html

Help me understand, I ask here cuz I trust you guys!!!

—

"Maybe there aren't any surf bands; there's only surf music?" Tuck

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badash
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Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
Link Posted on Dec 07 2010 02:55 PM

"Scooped mids" is something gear infatuated folks often use when describing the perfect strat tone. They aren't mid heavy to start, and in the 2 and 4 position there's even less. It's not the famous Quack tone, but it's part of it. Most folks on the internet don't really know what it means. It's just one of the things they say to sound knowledgeable, or to ask questions. Like "what's the best pickup for scooped mids on my strat?" They then just as often ask "what's the best tube screamer?" Of course the tube screamer boosts mids like nobody's business. But SRV used one, and the best strat pickup has scooped mids, right? And you have to have the best right?

Now the Metal Heads are throwing it around as much as the strat-heads. But I read an interview with Kerry King from Slayer, and when asked if he scooped his mids he replied "Hell no! You can't have a smile on your EQ. I boost my mids and drop my bass and treble! That makes a frown!" I became a fan instantly.

But yeah, you can "scoop your mids" on your amp, or an EQ pedal or board. For the drop D and C metal boys with active pickups, I guess it makes a lot of sense, but I'd imagine they'd have to stomp on a pedal to augment that notched middle for lead work. Not being one of them, I don't know.

EQ is fun to play around with. I tend leave my amps at "5" on the tone knobs. I was raised to believe that that is the "natural" voice of a tube amp, and raising or lowering the tone settings is detrimental. I'm happy living that way since the '70s and don't really care if it's true or not. It makes life easier for sure. One thing, most EQ pedals also boost your gain a little. That can be a wonderful thing.

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elreydlp
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Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
11 Calendar Pins 2 POTD Pins
Link Posted on Dec 07 2010 03:10 PM

Good synopsis badash!
The term "scooped" does refer to the "V" shape of a graphic EQ with highs and lows boosted and mids cut. And yes, it is funny to hear guys say they like scooped mids and a Tubescreamer!
On a Fender amp, it usually means Treble and Bass at 7-10, mids at 0-3, which is where I set mine depending on pickups.
I got a surprise with my Mesa Blue Angel when I set it like I would a Fender. It sounded great, but didn't have the sound I wanted. I called Mesa and talked to someone who explained that the controls, while not technically "active", did significantly cut or boost the frequencies assigned. I set T-M-B all in the middle (12:00)-big improvement-then fiddled with the knobs until I found what I was looking for. Tone-wise, it's by far my favorite now.
BTW, the classic "V" reflects the tone produced by a balanced acoustic guitar.

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dp
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
United States
9 News Pins 2 Download Pins 1 Contributor Pin 7 POTD Pins
Link Posted on Dec 20 2010 01:52 PM

bass players often 'scoop the mids' in order to free up some sonic space for other instruments like guitar, keys, or drums... lots of 'slap and pop' bass playin' folks do this to accentuate the bottom end while preserving some snap.

i think the idea of turning down the mids on a bass amp has some merit, if it's not too extreme. My GK amp has a single push button that does a pretty decent moderate scoop on the eq.

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bamboozer
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Joined: Jan 18, 2010
Posts: 672
Delaware
1 Security Pin
Link Posted on Dec 20 2010 04:58 PM

Most of the references to "scooped" tone I've heard are from metal, never to a strat. The famed smiley face EQ setting was popular years ago for PA's but seems to have died a much needed death. I set the amp for a mild version of scooped, a slight treble bbost and equally slight cut in the mids and a slight cut in the bass as I use a closed back cabinet that really puts out the lows. I've tried other settings but always seem to come back to this.

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Joelman
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Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1506
Redlands, CA
United States
6 Download Pins 1 Contributor Pin 3 Security Pins
Link Posted on Dec 20 2010 06:15 PM

My secret is, I scoop mine and put some cherries and chocolate sauce on top.

oh, you aren't talking about ice cream...? LMAO

I'm sorry, BeachBumScott this rain is getting to me.

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badash
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Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
Link Posted on Dec 21 2010 11:58 AM

bamboozer
Most of the references to "scooped" tone I've heard are from metal, never to a strat.

Well, I don't know what to say. Try googling "Strat" and "Scooped"... You don't need anything but those two words. Twisted Evil

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DeadRanchHands
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Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Posts: 1281
1 Security Pin
Link Posted on Dec 21 2010 12:46 PM

Embrace the mids, I say. Love them. Caress them. Treble and bass are over-rated.

—

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

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Tuck
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Joined: Sep 02, 2006
Posts: 3166
Denver, CO
12 Calendar Pins 1 Link Pin 2 Contributor Pins 1 Security Pin 4 POTD Pins 7 Map Pins 1 Gold Star
Link Posted on Dec 21 2010 03:03 PM

Your Mids are Useless

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Icetech
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Joined: Dec 16, 2006
Posts: 892
Macomb Mich
Link Posted on Dec 21 2010 03:27 PM

Mids are where the power lies.....

—

I wanna play just like him when i grow up...

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DeadRanchHands
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Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Posts: 1281
1 Security Pin
Link Posted on Dec 21 2010 04:46 PM

Tuck
Your Mids are Useless

You don't know the power of the midrange!

image

—

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

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badash
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Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
Link Posted on Dec 22 2010 04:24 PM

DeadRanchHands

Tuck
Your Mids are Useless

You don't know the power of the midrange!

image

Lord Vader, your adherence to the midrange has done nothing to improve your tone when... Ack! Ack! Ack!

image

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DeadRanchHands
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Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Posts: 1281
1 Security Pin
Link Posted on Dec 22 2010 05:01 PM

badash

DeadRanchHands

Tuck
Your Mids are Useless

You don't know the power of the midrange!

image

Lord Vader, your adherence to the midrange has done nothing to improve your tone when... Ack! Ack! Ack!

image

Laughing Nice

—

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

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fuzzmariachi
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Joined: Apr 27, 2010
Posts: 60
Link Posted on Dec 23 2010 10:22 AM

Hello from Spain, guys¡¡¡in my humble opinion, I think the "mids" are very important for the electric guitar .... is more, I would say the guitar is all "mids"

I think surf music in particular has many "mids". I think that often are abused treble and bass and not given to the "mids"all the importance ....

Remember that many amplifiers "Fender" of the 60 that were used to play "surf music" had no control "mids", had a sort of internal adjustment that was tantamount to having control of "mids" from 7 - 8 ....

I have a Peavey Classic 30, all valves .... I have it for a couple of months and after trying various settings (usually with the treble and bass higher than the "mids") I discovered this setting:
Although it seems crazy to you, I have the "mids" to the maximum (or whatever it is, at 12)¡¡¡the "treble" to 4 and the "bass"a little more than 5 .... I know that this setting is not usually the "standard" (as it somehow) in the "surf music" and at the same time, the Peavey Classic 30 is not the "typical" amplifier "Surf ", but in my opinion sounds incredible and the setting that I have said it sounds very, very "surf"

In short .... for me,the "mids" are absolutely necessary to play with a band and even more live ...
So that the guitar can be heard in the mix of the band with the other instruments, have "presence " and not annulled by the drums and bass, etc ...
The "mid scoop tone may sound good in your room or when no drums .... this is my opinion .... I hope I have helped a little¡¡¡

Thanks and greetings, guys¡¡¡

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