How to EQ an electric guitar

For most electric guitars, high-pass at 100Hz, cut 2dB at 400Hz to remove mud, dip 2dB at 2.

Updated 2026-05-03

Short answer

For most electric guitars, high-pass at 100Hz, cut 2dB at 400Hz to remove mud, dip 2dB at 2.5kHz to tame amp harshness, and add 1.5dB at 5kHz for presence. Heavy distorted guitars usually need more aggressive cuts than clean ones.

High-pass: 100Hz, 12dB/oct slope
Cut: 400Hz, −2dB, Q 1.4, removes mud
Cut: 2.5kHz, −2dB, Q 2.5, tames amp honk
Boost: 5kHz, +1.5dB, Q 1.0, pick attack and presence

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High-pass at 100Hz

Electric guitar fundamentals span 82Hz (low E) up. In a band mix, anything below 100Hz fights with bass and kick, and adds nothing to the guitar's character. A 12dB/oct slope at 100Hz cleans the low end. For drop-tuned metal, drop to 80Hz; for clean indie, 120Hz works.

Cut 400Hz to remove mud

The 300–500Hz range is where amp cabinets pile up energy. A 2–3dB cut at 400Hz with a moderate Q (1.4) opens the guitar and stops it from competing with snare body and vocal chest tone. For doubled rhythm guitars, this cut is essential.

Tame honk around 2–3kHz

Most amps have a honky 'cocked wah' character around 2–3kHz that gets amplified by distortion. A 1.5–3dB cut at 2.5kHz with a narrow Q (2.5) removes the honk without making the guitar dull. Sweep around, the exact frequency varies by amp and cabinet.

Add presence at 5kHz

5kHz is where pick attack and string articulation live. A 1–2dB boost here with a wide Q makes the guitar feel sharp and present without making it harsh. For lead guitars, push to 6–8kHz for more 'air' on bends and vibrato.

Frequently asked

What frequency is an electric guitar?

Standard tuning fundamentals span 82Hz (low E) to ~1.3kHz (high frets, high E). The body of the sound sits at 200–500Hz. Pick attack and presence live at 2–6kHz. Top-end air is at 8–12kHz, mostly from cymbal-style cabinet resonances.

Why does my electric guitar sound muddy in the mix?

Excess energy at 300–500Hz piling up with bass and snare body. Cut 2–3dB at 400Hz. If you have doubled rhythm guitars, EQ them differently, one wider and brighter, one narrower and darker, so they don't pile up on the same frequencies.

How do I make rhythm and lead guitars sit together?

EQ them as different parts. Rhythm: scoop 400Hz and 2.5kHz to leave space. Lead: cut 200Hz to thin it out, boost 1kHz and 4kHz so it sits above the rhythm. Pan rhythm hard (L/R), keep lead near center for cut.

Should I EQ guitar before or after compression?

Subtractive EQ (high-pass, mud cut) before compression so the compressor reacts to a clean signal. Boosts (presence, top end) after compression so they aren't squashed. A typical chain: HP → cut 400Hz → compress → boost 5kHz.

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