I've noticed that both the standard Hofner basses and a lot of the Gibson 335-ish basses (I know it's an EB-something) have a switch or a button that totally changes the character of the tone. On the Hofner, it's the switch that is marked "Rhythm/Solo"; on the Gibson (Epiphone Rivoli, too?), there's a push button near the bridge. Are these both doing the same thing? And just what ARE they doing without being active? Are they adding something or taking it away?

I believe its a phase switch for the pickups.

I've noticed that both the standard Hofner basses and a lot of the Gibson 335-ish basses (I know it's an EB-something) have a switch or a button that totally changes the character of the tone. On the Hofner, it's the switch that is marked "Rhythm/Solo"; on the Gibson (Epiphone Rivoli, too?), there's a push button near the bridge. Are these both doing the same thing? And just what ARE they doing without being active? Are they adding something or taking it away?


My Rivoli had a little transformer attached to that button that, I can only assume, acts more to load the pickup a little. I know that reads badly, but loading the pickup can result in some cool tones!

It's a baritone switch on the Gibsons, knocks out some bass I believe.

So maybe it's an impedance kind of thing? You think the Hofners are doing the same thing?

So maybe it's an impedance kind of thing? You think the Hofners are doing the same thing?

I own an Epiphone Jack Casady and it has a switch wired to a transformer that switches the impedance of the pickup. (50, 250 and 500 ohms).

If you do a search on Electar, JCB-1, varitone, Casady, etc. you'll find lots of info.

These switches are found most commonly on short-scale basses... On some it's a "choke" switch, on some it's a "baritone" switch. I think originally they were for players to be able to play melodic stuff that isn't "bassy," to avoid cluttering the low end should there already be a "bassy" part in the song. Of course one could just use this function as another bass tone option and turn up the low end on the amp or in the mix.