Explain to me the usefulness of the Tone knob on a jazz bass...please.

Cloverfield · #1 07-30-2010, 02:11 AM

First of all, loving my first jazz bass (added it to my collection: a Spector Euro 5-string LX and Lakland Skyline Deluxe 44-02), a Lakland Skyline DJ 4-string.

It came with the Lakland pups, and I'm switching them out for the dual single coil Aero pups that were put in the basses before Lakland made the switch. I've heard the Aeros growl like hell, and I'm interested in seeing (or "hearing" I guess I should say) the difference firsthand for myself.

Now to my question:
What exactly is the point of the Tone knob on any jazz bass? I don't mean to sound naive or ignorant, but I honestly don't understand how such a muffled sound could have much practical use in most practical band/live situations. I suppose I could see rolling off the Tone just a bit for a jazz gig/practice, especially if you're playing roundwounds and not flatwounds... But am I missing something here? What do people typically use the Tone knob on a passive jazz bass for?

Nashrakh · #2 07-30-2010, 02:39 AM

Reggae.

5StringBlues · #3 07-30-2010, 02:41 AM

Going from a slap tone to an oldschool R&B tone.

Cloverfield · #4 07-30-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringBlues

Going from a slap tone to an oldschool R&B tone.

You mean on the fly?

jordie65 · #5 07-30-2010, 02:47 AM

just because you don't see for, or usefulness of a particular tone does not mean everyone everyone else feels the same. but to give an example of when i have personally played my jazz with the tone rolled off completely was when i was running a genz head through a 2x10 with a tweeter that couldnt be defeated. my jazz had fresh strings on it and to get me to my usual tone i ended up completely rolling off my tone.

5StringBlues · #6 07-30-2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloverfield

You mean on the fly?

From one song to the next,yeah.

pit7 · #7 07-30-2010, 02:52 AM

I use it, to make new strings suit my sound and - in combination with the neck pick up solo - to get a big-booty-dub-reggae-treble-sucks-sound within a second.

Cloverfield · #8 07-30-2010, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordie65

just because you don't see for, or usefulness of a particular tone does not mean everyone everyone else feels the same. but to give an example of when i have personally played my jazz with the tone rolled off completely was when i was running a genz head through a 2x10 with a tweeter that couldnt be defeated. my jazz had fresh strings on it and to get me to my usual tone i ended up completely rolling off my tone.

Of course. And I feel like I recognized that truth/sentiment in this statement:

Quote:

"What exactly is the point of the Tone knob on any jazz bass? I don't mean to sound naive or ignorant, but I honestly don't understand how such a muffled sound could have much practical use in most practical band/live situations."

The implied question within the above statement is: "What do you use your Tone knob for? Or rather, how do you use it?"

That being said, thanks for the input.

Cloverfield · #9 07-30-2010, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringBlues

From one song to the next,yeah.

Ah. Right on.

jordie65 · #10 07-30-2010, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloverfield

Of course. And I feel like I recognized that truth/sentiment in this statement:

The implied question within the above statement is: "What do you use your Tone knob for? Or rather, how do you use it?"

That being said, thanks for the input.

ah i didnt fully read/comprehend you when i read your post! my bad!

Sufenta · #11 07-30-2010, 06:42 AM

Roll the tone all the way off, roll the neck pickup all the way off, play with your fingers as close to the bridge as possible. The ghost of Jaco should appear if you do it right.

guroove · #12 07-30-2010, 06:50 AM

I find it more useful for recording or practice than live. I don't have a passive tone control on my jazz bass. When I'm sitting at home with my practice amp, I definitely wish I had one. When I'm at a gig, and my amp is cranked, I don't miss it so much.

knumbskull · #13 07-30-2010, 07:06 AM

the tone knob is the most useful part of a Jazz bass IMO

that bright, open sound doesn't work for me in most band settings. anywhere between 0-5 it where it's at

dabbler · #14 07-30-2010, 08:05 AM

For sure, most of my tone adjustments on my passive J's are made with the relative positions of the volume knobs. However, when I have more bridge volume than neck volume or if I'm only using the bridge pup I find rolling back a little on the tone gives me more of a sound I want. Particularly on my J's with ceramic pups.

panama · #15 07-30-2010, 08:09 AM

It might just be me, but I use tone knobs to adjust the tone.

Not sure what anyone else uses them for.

Dark Horse · #16 07-30-2010, 08:09 AM

When I use a Jazz Bass, I typically roll back the tone knob a bit - sometimes "more" than a bit. I find that the fatter, rolled off tone fills up the bottom end (and stays out of the way of the guitars) better for the Americana music I typically play these days.

DWBass · #17 07-30-2010, 08:12 AM

Just think of it as a TREBLE knob. Turn it up and you have your slap tone. Turn it down and you have you fingerstyle/pick tone.

pasta4lnch · #18 07-30-2010, 08:17 AM

personally I never use them (ripped it off one of my strats) but I always wanted to try a Tone Styler or something like it . . .

Ric5 · #19 07-30-2010, 08:18 AM

Explain to me the usefulness of the Tone knob on a jazz bass...please.

ga_edwards · #20 07-30-2010, 08:27 AM

What you can do is set your amp so that you have more treble than usual and roll the tone knob back to get your usual sound. Then you can open the tone up to full when you require that extra bite to cut through.