Stellartone ToneStyler for the Barker

Lee Barker · #1 07-25-2008, 08:40 AM

Lately I've become intrigued with this product:

www.stellartone.com.

I bought two, and have installed one (the notched version) in a Brio (the legendary RoadKill) which I am playing regularly. Eventually we'll have one (smooth) in a 5 string B1.

In brief, it replaces the tone knob but it's not really the same thing. For starters, it has a much, as in much, larger sweep. Second, and this is subjective, I feel the tone is just better anywhere I select.

I haven't enough miles on this yet to be able to make a decision, but I have an inkling that it may become an option on the Barker. I'd be happy to chat with you anytime about it.

The retrofit is quite simple, though the hole for the pot shank must be enlarged a bit. There is ample room in the Brio or B1 cavity for the unit, which is actually amazingly small, especially considering what it accomplishes.

Understandably I have a warm spot in my heart for anyone working on an innovation in the instrument world, and I know some great products and their profoundly creative and intelligent creators. I think I've found another one.

Kindly,

Lee

JKT · #2 07-25-2008, 10:46 AM

That's funny Lee 'cause I have been pondering this very same unit for the last few weeks, and wondring if a retrofit in my Brio were possible.

What might one pay for such a device?

Joel

cybersnyder · #3 07-25-2008, 08:14 PM

I have one in a P-bass and I really like it. It's a tone knob that you can actually use.

Next step is stellartone -> Creation Audio Redeemer.

Lee Barker · #4 07-25-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKT

That's funny Lee 'cause I have been pondering this very same unit for the last few weeks, and wondring if a retrofit in my Brio were possible.

What might one pay for such a device?

Joel

Around $110 on the street, Joel. If I recall correctly, the notched is slightly more than the smooth. I am using the notched, and while I like the "keeping track" feature theoretically, I have not shown myself I know how to use it yet. There is a loose nut on the bassplayer evidently.

Kindly,

Lee

Tom7 · #5 07-26-2008, 03:40 PM

Interesting. I often use a Sadowsky outboard preamp (stomp box) with my Barker to shape its tone, but it would be nice to have tone shaping flexibility on the instrument itself.

cybersnyder · #6 07-26-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom7

Interesting. I often use a Sadowsky outboard preamp (stomp box) with my Barker to shape its tone, but it would be nice to have tone shaping flexibility on the instrument itself.

The stellartone is entirely different than a Sadowsky outboard. The Sadowsky lets you boos highs and lows. The Stellartone is just like a passive tone with roll off high frequencies. It just does so in a more musically useful manner than a typical tone knob.

Scwwitt · #7 08-15-2008, 02:57 PM

HOT DOGS AND STELLARTONES! the stellartone sounds incredible on the barker bass. I just retrofit my barker and I was blown away. The response to the stellartone was what blew my mind. I am in favor of the stellartone.

Lee Barker · #8 10-28-2008, 11:52 AM

I've just completed a B1 fretted four with Stellartone and some other goodies. Details in the Barker Blog:

http://barkerbassblog.blogspot.com/

Paint me a happy player fella.

I just can't emote the way Will Witt can. I'm not spontooneous enough.

fretster · #9 11-03-2008, 10:25 PM

If the Stellartone works, I wonder if other tweaks-of-tone might do well too, such as the ACG/East EQ-02 preamp, or the Audere preamp, or the J-retro, or the latest, the Nordstrand preamp? The latter would require drilling and routing, as there's no way all the controls fit in just three knob positions.

I would be very keen on a fully Nordized Barker B1, with Nordstrand pickups and the Nordstrand 3-band preamp. That preamp is just magical in a "native" Nordy VJ4. I'm thinking it would be fantastic in a Barker B1.

Lee Barker · #10 11-04-2008, 07:08 AM

Joel Thomas--we'll no doubt hear from him on preamps--has been on this case for some time.

One of the conveniences of the Barker is that an outboard preamp can be affixed to the stand--I used two broom handle clips, because I have a way with elegance from the hardware store--and it was stealthily hid behind the bass with knobs right there for easy tweaking.

I'll look into the Nordstrand preamp. I sure like the Nordy split coils in my new B-1, whom I call "Ginner".

Kindly,

Lee

fretster · #11 11-04-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Barker

I sure like the Nordy split coils in my new B-1, whom I call "Ginner".

Kindly,

Lee

errrr..... that makes it a B-Ginner bass?

Yeah I guess explaining the joke takes all the fun out of it....

Lee Barker · #12 11-04-2008, 11:18 AM

That's good!

Actually it's a joyous homage to my mother, Virginia, who, in her childhood, was called "Ginner", pronounced "Jinner". Her cousin, Howard, was similarly known as "Hodger" and from what we know, when the two of them were together, things were as interesting as things could get when you have two 5 year olds afoot.

Thanks for the smile!

Kindly,

Lee

Lee Barker · #13 11-07-2008, 02:30 PM

Back on the subject of preamps, I was on the Nordstrand site and found an image of what they're up to. Here's the link:

http://www.nordstrandguitars.com/new.htm

go about a fourth of the way down for a real workbench shot of the thing.

Coming from Nordstrand, with Carey's fingerprints on it, I have a suspicion it will be very good and very right.

Kindly,

Lee

lowtide · #14 06-25-2009, 07:00 AM

Has anyone used the Tonestyler in a wood top? Does the 3/8" long bushing work or did you have to reduce the thickness in the pot area?

(And yes I know this is a thread from 2008)

Lee Barker · #15 06-25-2009, 09:13 AM

[quote=lowtide;7585253]Has anyone used the Tonestyler in a wood top? Does the 3/8" long bushing work or did you have to reduce the thickness in the pot area?

There's plenty of shank there, but you'll need to enlarge the hole a little for it to fit diameter-wise. A regular wood bit tends to grab, so I used a step drill (I recall I bought a set from--gasp--Harbor Freight) and epoxied the right one onto a handle just for this sort of thing. I cut gently from both sides. Keeping the hole centered is critical because of the counterbore for the knobs.

Thanks for the question. I am a big fan of the Tonestyler, especially, as you may have read, with a blend knob and master volume knob on the two-pickup Barkers.

TK4108 · #16 06-25-2009, 11:56 PM

Now you got me thinking. (Dangerous, I know.) How about a Stellartone with Nordstrand split coil NJ4SV split coils....

Lee Barker · #17 06-26-2009, 06:58 AM

That's precisely what I have in Ginner, #99. Nordstrand split coils, Stellartone on the bottom, blend pot with center detent in the middle, master volume on top.

Very effective and fun.

JKT · #18 06-26-2009, 07:12 AM

I continue to be pleased with tonestyler mod in my Barker.
I like the notched feature too.

We have begun basic tracks on a new disc, and we all can't wait to hear the Barker.

JKT

TK4108 · #19 06-26-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Barker

That's precisely what I have in Ginner, #99.

Lee,

Are you using the NJ4SV's or the NJ4SE's? Would you mind sharing your wiring diagram?

Cheers!

Lee Barker · #20 06-26-2009, 12:51 PM

NJ4SV. Based on a conversation with Stew McKinsey at Nordstrand, that seemed the right one. He's familiar with the output of the Barker, and I trust him totally.

Happy to share the diagram with you, but I have no way to do that electronically. PM me your mailing address and I'll have a copy of this off to you post haste (I love to say that).