I've been using a Birdsong B-Box (simple passive stepped filter) in the studio for years now & it has been
extremely useful. It's one of those quick "magic" adjustments when tracking that can really make a bass tone happen!
I came across Stan Hinsley's varitone controls with more settings & decided to try it out.
http://stanhinesleypickups.com/passive_controls.htm It's the same idea, but with the inductor/choke wired to be switched into any of the 5 capacitor value settings. Unlabeled setting "0" is true bypass. It sounds great & gives me a few more tonal options as well as incorporating an integrated 'mix' control via the tone knob. (
see clips at bottom of this post)
I put together a quick & dirty oak box, lined it with copper tape & finished it with oil & beeswax. I didn't want a glossy finish & am totally ok with dings & scratches. I like the natural, unvarnished look of beeswax on something like this...
The finished box & pics of the build:
.....and clips. Stock Fender American '57 Reissue P-Bass - Outboard Tone Control - MBox2pro - ProTools. No compression or eq used. I made a diligent attempt to play at the same volume and intensity at the same place on the bass (right and left hand placement).
"Position 0" represents waht the bass sounds like completely direct (tone circuit bypassed).
"Positions 1-5" reflect the tone filter's respectively.
"Position 5 with choke" is in position 5 with the inductor engaged. I didn't do all 5 positions with the inductor as I figured you could get the idea with this...
Position 0
http://www.box.net/shared/static/mfnfytl1en.wav
Position 1
http://www.box.net/shared/static/g6y67u5fry.wav
Position 2
http://www.box.net/shared/static/3tusa0vubh.wav
Position 3
http://www.box.net/shared/static/nbzx8sl8j6.wav
Position 4
http://www.box.net/shared/static/5fx25t3a6y.wav
Position 5
http://www.box.net/shared/static/5nkzpiltuz.wav
Position 5 with choke
http://www.box.net/shared/static/n9eu9ptix5.wav
