There are better PASSIVE circuits or they are all the same?

[Human Bass]

[WillPlay4Food]

My passive SUB5 has both a bass and treble rolloff, something I've never seen before (although I've heard it's been done). Don't have any schematics though so I don't know how everything's wired up, or capacitor values or anything.

[TrooperFarva]

Originally Posted by WillPlay4Food

My passive SUB5 has both a bass and treble rolloff, something I've never seen before (although I've heard it's been done). Don't have any schematics though so I don't know how everything's wired up, or capacitor values or anything.

My old G&L L-1000 had controls for Treble cut and Bass cut

But to the original post, there are some people who have basses built without any circuitry, they have the pickups wired directly to the output jack, no volume, tone, treble/bass, nothing. More commonly, people replace the caps, resistors, and pots with the same value, only better quality, for less signal degradation. I don't know if this really makes a difference, I've never done it myself, so I can't comment there. And some replace the same components with components of different value for different frequency centers, etc. So no, they're not all the same.

[Tom Crofts]

I remember seeing something about a Modulus that had a passive mid control as well, invented by some russian ex aerospace engineer or something like that? Haven't heard much about it lately though, guess it didn't take off (no pun intended).

[lug]

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

My old G&L L-1000 had controls for Treble cut and Bass cut

But to the original post, there are some people who have basses built without any circuitry, they have the pickups wired directly to the output jack, no volume, tone, treble/bass, nothing. More commonly, people replace the caps, resistors, and pots with the same value, only better quality, for less signal degradation. I don't know if this really makes a difference, I've never done it myself, so I can't comment there. And some replace the same components with components of different value for different frequency centers, etc. So no, they're not all the same.

The L2000's bass and treble controls are passive as well. If you want to see some wild passive electronics, check out the Peavey T-40 and the Fender Roscoe Beck. Both are groundbreaking.

[PilbaraBass]

when talking filters (probably the proper word for "tone controls"), active filters generally just use combinations of capacitors and resistors combined with amplifiers (either opamp or transistor)

Passive filters use combinations of capacitors, resistors, AND inductors.

there are probably as many differences between passive systems as there are between active ones, but generally most passive systems are kept pretty basic with a single treble roll-off type control. On this basic level, besides the component quality, there is little differences.

[mikezimmerman]

Originally Posted by Tom Crofts

I remember seeing something about a Modulus that had a passive mid control as well, invented by some russian ex aerospace engineer or something like that? Haven't heard much about it lately though, guess it didn't take off (no pun intended).

That would be Villex, who offer a passive mid control. I have no experience with them myself, though.

Mike

[bongomania]

Pilbara mentioned inductors; they are key to the "varitone" switch, which is a great passive tone tool, but I think it lost favor because it involves too many parts for a cheap bass, and those parts have to be selected to match the specific pickups of the bass, you can't just throw a "standard" varitone into any bass and necessarily get useful tones. So manufacturers prefer the plug-n-play components of a passive treble rolloff or a preamp. (I'm speculating.)

[Tom Crofts]

Yeah that's the one Mike! Cheers! Those guys seem like pros going by their website:

Modululus News say: :\

[bkief1]

If you'd like something novel like a tone knob that really works as one and provides an interesting palette of tones...try installing a Bill Lawrence Q-filter (for bass) onto the tone knob of your passive pickup. I have one of his P-46 (P-bass style pickup) pickups on my DiPinto bass and just added a Q-filter...what an improvement! No more "lifeless thuds" as you approach "0" on the tone knob; more of a thunderous boom. As you approach 7-9 on the knob, a "Muhammad Ali-style" punchiness appears. I'm in the process of installing one on my Geddy Lee Jazz now.

You can read about how the Q-filter works at Bill's website (click on "BL WildeGate" and read the Q-filter sticky thread) or simply call him at their toll-free #.
www.billlawrence.com

HTH

[BFunk]

Speaking of Bill Lawrence, he has a great wiring for a P/J bass wired in series. In this wiring the J pickup is blended in the circuit. You have to use his pickups because each has an extra lead for this type of wiring.

[fullrangebass]

Try Villex.
http://www.villex.com/
He is the creme de la creme in my book of pickups and circuit (passive). (Please check my equipment to see i own and perform with.)
I have a Warrior 5 fully armed and the stock pickups were Barts (fatboy and X5). The sound (not the output) was weak, so to speak. I spoke with the Bartolini people and ordered new pickups to improve the tone. Useless. I tried another pair Bartolini pickups (one was NOS discontinued model). Still nothing. EMG's failed to revive the bass, too. I was ready to sell the bass when i got in touch with Villex. The bass was reborn. The sound was HUGE (tone-wise) and the output was good (not hot). the mid control is very usefull too. The active bartolini circuit is still in place with A push/pull volume knob (for acive/passive) but till now nwver had the need to engage the active circuit. The bass is to be kept amongst my top in the herd.
I have ordered other pickups for Villex since then and every time i am amazed.
While we are at it, i am waiting for a pair of pickups and a circuit to place them on a great bass (there will be a review as soon as i receive and replace the pickups).
Highly recommended.

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by lug

If you want to see some wild passive electronics, check out the Peavey T-40 and the Fender Roscoe Beck. Both are groundbreaking.

+1

[BFunk]

Fender Roscoe Beck is another Bill Lawrence pickup design.

[Human Bass]

Thank you guys for all the information.

Those Villex look really nice...

[Human Bass]

So, it is possible a non-Villex pup wired on the Villex circuit?

[lemur821]

Also, some instruments have brain dead-wiring. Strats, although not basses, can all do with an overhaul of their grounding scheme, and Fender basses are pretty bad too, as I recall. Fender isn't the only offender, of course. Also, any instrument can do with some good sheilding.

[Wilbyman]

I'm kind of interested in this Q-filter thing...if I understand correctly, it's like a passive tone knob except it doesn't roll off the low frequencies? Has anybody tried it on a jazz?

W

[bkief1]

Wilbyman,

Mine will be installed in my Geddy Lee on Thursday (8/24), as I am waiting on a wirogram from Bill.

I tried to explain above how it sounds/works for my DiPinto bass that has a Bill Lawrence P-46 (P-bass style) pickup in it. The Geddy Lee has the original pickups in that it came with new from Fender-JP. As soon as I can put it through its paces, I'll report.

As an alternative, you may try contacting Bill or Becky at their toll-free number (877-647-2651); just remember they are on Pacific time.

HTH

[grygrx]

Originally Posted by bkief1

Bill Lawrence Q-filter (for bass)
HTH

I only found reference to price and stuff on this page.
http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/Pi...w/Q-Filter.htm

I didn't see a mention of a difference for bass/guitar.. is there?