Custom outboard tone control

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. Invalid Link Removed 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
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Position 1
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Position 2
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Position 3
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Position 4
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Position 5
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Position 5 with choke
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lx_night said:

Looks great, How about some clips?

And would you consider making another one?

Click to expand...

I am considering clips! I need a good free server though... any ideas? I want the clips to be decent quality wav's.

This only took about 2 days to complete with drying time. I could definitely make more. I only bought parts for one, though.

clips added

lx_night said:

man, im really not your guy when it comes to recording. when i record i record with a friend through a mbox or a motu unit.

Try to get some clips, if it sounds great, i could pay you to make me one, what do you say.

I love how it looks, very homemade tryp of look!

Click to expand...

Well, I'm not going into business. But you could pm if you're really that interested.

***re-link clips per request***


"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
Invalid Link Removed

Position 1
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Position 2
Invalid Link Removed

Position 3
Invalid Link Removed

Position 4
Invalid Link Removed

Position 5
Invalid Link Removed

Position 5 with choke
Invalid Link Removed

bassbrad said:

Scotch do you have a pdf or something for the schematic, the link above is a dead end.

Click to expand...

Bass Varitone

This should help!