Tone Pot sound?

Skit1 · #1 10-24-2008, 12:12 PM

I know this is a really odd request, but Im looking for a pedal that will simulate the sound of a bass when the tonepot is completely off.
I usually turn the tonepot off when using my distortion pedal(s) to get a really nice sound distortion that I cant get without the tonepot being off.

I have a few basses without tonepots and I'd like to use them in the same way (and I dont really want to install tonepots to them)

Does such a pedal exist?

B.C. · #2 10-24-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skit1

I know this is a really odd request, but Im looking for a pedal that will simulate the sound of a bass when the tonepot is completely off.
I usually turn the tonepot off when using my distortion pedal(s) to get a really nice sound distortion that I cant get without the tonepot being off.

I have a few basses without tonepots and I'd like to use them in the same way (and I dont really want to install tonepots to them)

Does such a pedal exist?

Not that I know of, but it could be easily made or simulated by an eq pedal.

Skit1 · #3 10-24-2008, 12:15 PM

Hmm why didnt I think of that?
What frequencies would a tonepot be cutting out exactly?

Is it just cutting the high section?

Thunderscreech · #4 10-24-2008, 12:16 PM

Fender makes a tone control pedal (similar to a volume pedal). I guess it could me modified for bass by changing capacitor values or something.

And what do you mean by "Completely off"? Do you mean it's not engaged at all, or that it's fully engaged?

Skit1 · #5 10-24-2008, 12:17 PM

Not engaged at all.
Turned completely down/off in the same way the volume control would be turned off/down

Thunderscreech · #6 10-24-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skit1

Hmm why didnt I think of that?
What frequencies would a tonepot be cutting out exactly?

Is it just cutting the high section?

It all depends on the value of the capacitor. Generally, the higher the value (in microfarads), the more high end is rolled off, but they generall cut out highs.
Bass's tone pots have between .047 to .100 microfarad capacitors, any more than that and you're swimming in aural mud.

Skit1 · #7 10-24-2008, 12:25 PM

Thanks.
I guess I'll look into buying an EQ pedal then.

JanusZarate · #8 10-24-2008, 12:27 PM

If you're inclined to build a pedal... all you need is a capacitor, an appropriate pot, a bypass switch, a little wire, two 1/4" jacks, and an enclosure. In other words, just box a passive tone control.

There's nothing complicated about it - it's one of the simplest circuits you could ever build. And if you want to get really fancy, you can add a DC jack and a blue LED.

An EQ won't exactly mimic what a tone control does, because they provide a much higher degree of control. That's not really a bad thing, though.

bongomania · #9 10-24-2008, 12:31 PM

Also, a traditional tone pot in the the "off" position doesn't just roll off highs, it boosts the low-mids (passively, using energy that was in the frequencies that were rolled off). So if you use an EQ, don't just turn down the highs.

Joe Gress · #10 10-24-2008, 12:36 PM

A Electronix Submarine with the tone cut maybe?