Warwick Corvette $$ E-Bass – muddy low end

[blackwolf87]

Hello together!

I´ve got a Warwick Corvette $$ 4-String Bass with standard MEC Pickups.
I play in a Metal Band in Drop B Tuning; string gauge: 065-085-105-135. I play with a plectrum with a pretty strong hitting hand.

My fundamental Problem is the muddy low end between 100 and 250Hz. The harder I hit the string, all the worse it gets.

On cheap instruments it is a popular problem, but it´s an expensive, very high quality instrument. The Problem seems to get worse with lower tunings, on D or E the definition becomes better (but it´s never clear, as it should be). Only with heavy multiband compression on the problem zone, the sound gets better. But it doesn’t resolve the problem, it´s more like taming the beast in a cage. I´ve lowered the pickups a lot and it helps, but nothing more.

I presume that the pickups are not the right choice and they should be replaced.

What is your opinion? Is the pickup the problem? Is a 4 String not the right choice for lower tunings? Or is it another fundamental problem?

Thanks for your help!

Gabriel

https://www.dropbox.com/s/orrsrcotbzchted/Sansamp.wav?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rzqcswwgm1giofb/Sansamp with heavy Multiband Compression.wav?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b4fvgkrspmvbkvn/Neck+Bridge DI.wav?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nby03gyzl49onyl/Bridge DI.wav?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vbfoddnq71kkzj5/Neck DI.wav?dl=0

 

[egan.]

Big low mids is sort of warwick's deal. EMG's would open up the top and scoop it some but you may want to consider something that has the sound you want out of the gate.

 

[Riku]

I would probably look at your amp/cab first before looking at changing the bass end of the chain. Warwick's are pretty versatile.