Is it possible to have just ONE active tone control?

[Hopper]

I'm assuming the answer's yes... but can you buy a single active treble circuit/knob for instance?

The reason I'm asking is I hardly use bass and mid controls and only have use for a treble control occasionally when I'm playing through a muddy speaker or a dull PA and I can't see the point in having loads of annoying knobs on the bass.

[line6man]

Just use fixed resistors in place of pots for the controls you don't want.

[Hopper]

I'm after an active treble control - you know, something you can buy and install.

[ctmullins]

Buy a normal two-band preamp. Set the bass control where you like it, stuff it into the cavity, and forget about it.

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Buy a normal two-band preamp. Set the bass control where you like it, stuff it into the cavity, and forget about it.

Well that's one solution! lol

[Crater]

Here's your options for a "one knob" tone control.
1) What ctmullins suggested.
2) EMG's "EXB" preamp. Not a treble control, but a single knob "slap contour" control - it boosts both bass and treble as it's turned up.
3) EMG's "SPC" preamp, it's intended for guitar, it's a treble booster
4) Some other on-board treble/mid booster preamp, like the Guitarfetish MODBOARDS.

I still think #1 is your best choice. Another alternative is an outboard EQ pedal.

[eddododo]

For the sake of clarity, I think line6man and ctmullins are making the same suggestion..

You could also : get a 2band and set it up pushpull treble/bass

Or use a stompbox style one-knob-tone (but dont do this)

[ctmullins]

Originally Posted by eddododo

For the sake of clarity, I think line6man and ctmullins are making the same suggestion..

Absolutely. L6M is right about everything, so I always like to parrot what he says. Makes me appear smart.

You could also : get a 2band and set it up pushpull treble/bass

Would that work? When you pushed or pulled the knob, wouldn't that disengage the pot from the other circuit?

Or use a stompbox style one-knob-tone (but dont do this)

I never used one, but I read about the old Raven Labs P-Bass preamp that used one and only one knob. Twist it clockwise and it boosted treble while slightly reducing bass. Twist it counter-clockwise and it boosted bass while slightly reducing treble. I loved the idea of this, and was going to try and implement it using a regular two-band and a double-gang pot, but I could never convince myself that concentric knobs weren't a better idea...

[Crater]

No, a push-pull pot won't work.... A push-pull pot combines a pot with a switch; it doesn't replace two pots.

The EMG "BTC" preamp has both the treble and bass controls on a STACKED pot. This way you can control bass and treble independently, and not have to drill an extra hole in your bass.

(image borrowed from Best Bass Gear dot com)

[eddododo]

I should've been more specific but I was doing this from work..

the reason I suggested the push pull was so that if he buys a twoband, he could at least have the OPTION of utilizing the other band- leaves the interface tidy and simple, and gives you the trouble control you wanted in the bass control you might find useful

although at the same time having a push pull for 2 active circuits may just be asking for a lot of 'popping'

[eddododo]

I was also going to suggest a stacked setup, as mentioned just above me.. I figured if the goal was less knobs I wouldn't put it out there; I had forgotten about those BTC .. Really convenient to have the circuit attached to the pot



aside from all of that, I might breadboard a couple of dedicated treble boost circuits when I get home, either as a real solution for you or just to amuse myself..

keep you posted

[Joedog]

Originally Posted by Hopper

I'm assuming the answer's yes... but can you buy a single active treble circuit/knob for instance?

The reason I'm asking is I hardly use bass and mid controls and only have use for a treble control occasionally when I'm playing through a muddy speaker or a dull PA and I can't see the point in having loads of annoying knobs on the bass.

I don't see the need to remuddle a bass just cause I don't use a knob or two! It could seriously effect the resale value as well. Just cause they are there doesn't mean you have to use them! Or are you building a new bass from scratch??

I wish the stuff in my life that really annoys me was as trivial as a knob I don't use!!!!!!! I envy you!

[Steve Dallman]

I've built quite a few preamps over the years. I've done a single knob tone, using a baxandall circuit and a dual pot with the bass and treble wired opposite of each other. The Ovation solid body Deacon guitar had this type of tone. I've seen schemes where a Fender tone stack was used, with the bass and midrange being preset with resistors, and the treble being the tone pot.

I would simply buy a two band, remove the bass control, and wire it to a trimpot and tuck it inside.

[bassmeknik]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallman

I would simply buy a two band, remove the bass control, and wire it to a trimpot and tuck it inside.

+1 nice idea, this way you could tweak the bass control if needed by opening the cavity, and it keeps the overall package very small...

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallman

I've built quite a few preamps over the years. I've done a single knob tone, using a baxandall circuit and a dual pot with the bass and treble wired opposite of each other. The Ovation solid body Deacon guitar had this type of tone. I've seen schemes where a Fender tone stack was used, with the bass and midrange being preset with resistors, and the treble being the tone pot.

I would simply buy a two band, remove the bass control, and wire it to a trimpot and tuck it inside.

Yep, I think that's the best solution!

[eddododo]

oh and this
http://generalguitargadgets.com/proj...treble-booster

[FunkMetalBass]

This is exactly what you're looking for:
http://www.bestbassgear.com/john-eas...ass-preamp.htm

Boosting in the 1kHz-1.5kHz range should do wonders for your tonal clarity.

[joelb79]

With a BTC, if you put just a regular knob on the top you hide the bass control.