Best frequencies for 5 band equ?

[OnLyTNT]

Hello,
I'm planing to build a simple 5 band equ pedal for my guitar. I figured out 100, 500, 1k, 2k, 4k are fine, what do you think?

Thanks,

[bancika]

I'll probably make an EQ with mesa bands (see some of mark series amps)

[WGTP]

Much of what makes amps sound different are the speakers used.  Many 12" speakers have dips in the 1600Hz area and peaks around 3200Hz.  The balance between 400Hz and 800Hz has a lot to do with the mid-range sound and 200Hz covers the low-mid bass region.  This leaves the extremes out, 6400Hz and 100Hz, but in many cases those are covered by regular tone controls.   

[Mark Hammer]

It's a good question to ask, however the best answer would depend on the context you are sticking the pedal in.  For instance:

• do you plan to stick it before distortions in your pedal chain?
• do you plan to use it to "bring the tone back into line" at the end of your pedal chain?
• does your amp offer sufficient tonal flexibiity, like having more than treble/bass controls, or being able to switch between channels with different tone settings?
• are you intending to stick it in the pedal chain ahead of the amp or in a send/receive loop at the amp?

As some here have suggested, it might be more useful to focus the bands within a specific zone intended to "revoice" the guitar in a certain way, but that would depend on the intended context-of-use.  In some contexts, it might be smartest to set the bands deliberately to trim back hiss and hum without losing bite or throb.  That's different than using it to tailor the quirks of the mid-bands to drive a distortion in a certain way.

So, how do you want to use it?

[stm]

I suggest reading these links:

http://www.recordingeq.com/EQ/req0400/OctaveEQ.htm

http://reviews.ebay.com/Guitar-Graphic-Equalizers-Frequencies-Demystified_W0QQugidZ10000000001247559?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:1

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In particular, I reproduce here the key frequencies that make sense to me.

Favourite frequencies for electric playing:

Low end
120-150hz (practical value: 120 Hz)
This is for low end thump.

Low mid
400hz
Ever get a great sound that disappears in a track?
This is the frequency to reach for, adding a couple of db's around 400hz will fatten up the tone.

High mid
1-2khz (practical value: around 1.5 kHz)
Cutting this frequency will take away some boxiness, especially if you're using a small cab w/an SM57

High end
5khz
Boosting this frequency will give you more presence without the scratchiness.
Guitar amps produce very little above 5khz but boosting above with a wide bandwith (Q) can add some "air" to the tone.

If a 5th frequency is desired, maybe 800 Hz is the one to add, as it reduces "cheapness" from a guitar sound.

[Mark Hammer]

Good ideas.

these are also why I suggest figuring out what sort of use he intends to make of it.  For example, if the amp provides a 1khz cut boost control (as opposed to a Fender tonestack), then perhaps one can forego a 1khz cut/boost in the pedal and apply that knob to something more useful.  Similarly, if the amp provides lo and hi mid-boost/cut then maybe the places to target should not be redundant with those bands but outside them...or even between them.

[OnLyTNT]

Wow, nice replies  . I didn't think it could go far.

I see my question is a bit uncertain. Actually, I already have a Boss GE-7 (ok ok, don't yell at me  ) which I use at the end of my chain. I use Digitech death metal, Behringer BO100, a POD 2.0, Boss GE-7 into a small PA cabinet (using POD2.0 cabinet emulation) and sometimes computer emulation (amp, effect, cabinet etc..).

First, I want a 5 band equ because of the IC which I have is suitable for 5 bands. You can make a design with more frequencies but some discrete components have to be used and the circuit becomes more complex.

Also, I want to use the equ just after my guitar output, before distortion (or before computer input) to shape the guitar sound. My guitar's body is basswood and it sounds a bit bassy (further info, it has 81-85 active pickups loaded). With passive pickups BO100 was doing great job as a booster and shaping the sound, but with active pickups it distorts too much :p.

Boss GE-7 is a bit noisy but fine, nevertheless I need it at the end of my chain, so I decided to built a second equ box. Wish a parametric equ thou  .

P.S. The main idea of using equ before distortion is that I want some frequencies get less distorted or vice versa. For instance, less distorted low mids sounds much clear to me. If you trim low mids after distortion, it sounds weak overall.