A simple varitone circuit for your bass -

[SGD Lutherie]

Try a 500K linear taper pot.

 

[davelowell2]

So, if you want me to try a linear taper pot, what is it called that I used? (the education of davelowell2)

Thanks!

 

[SGD Lutherie]

So, if you want me to try a linear taper pot, what is it called that I used? (the education of davelowell2)

Thanks!

500K Linear Pot

 

[davelowell2]

Thanks! I'll try that.

What I wanted to know was what is the other kind of pot called, and I looked and it's a log taper. After reading a little on Wikipedia, it sounds right that I'd want the linear taper. Cool.

I'm still messing with my box but after it's all set I'll get a few more parts and do it over with better soldering and less of a tangled mess! Then I'll take some pics! You don't want to see it as it is now, lol.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Yes, log or audio taper.

 

[davelowell2]

So, on my way to the store I had a few thoughts and here they are...

1. Can I use the other six positions on my switch?

2. Can I put in some type of switch to switch between one six pole with some caps and another one with different caps?

So, I just want to make more options in my box.

How?

Thanks!

 

[Dark Horse]

So, on my way to the store I had a few thoughts and here they are...

1. Can I use the other six positions on my switch?

2. Can I put in some type of switch to switch between one six pole with some caps and another one with different caps?

So, I just want to make more options in my box.

How?

Thanks!

Nope, the other 6 are "redundant", so there is not a way to use them that I know of. You'll need a 12 position 2 pole switch if you want 11 caps and an "open" tone to choose from.

 

[Dark Horse]

So, on my way to the store I had a few thoughts and here they are...


So, I just want to make more options in my box.

How?

Thanks!

Give me a few days to find time to draw it up, and I'll get something "really" cool posted for you.

 

[davelowell2]

Cool, thanks. I'm really jumping in to this one. I like it a lot!

 

[Dark Horse]

Cool, thanks. I'm really jumping in to this one. I like it a lot!

Dirt cheap and makes a difference ...what's not to like ?!?!?

Glad you're having fun.

 

[tilehilder]

I've got a bass this would be great in, and there is a radio shack right around the corner...

EDIT: Oh well, Radio Shack out of everything needed for this project.

 

[davelowell2]

Give me a few days to find time to draw it up, and I'll get something "really" cool posted for you.

Just a friendly reminder.

I ordered some more caps of all different values. Also some rotary 6 way and 12 way switches.

BTW, can you point me to somewhere explaining the values of caps and how to interpret them? Like, if you use a .01 uf and them a .001 uf, you'll notice X.

Also, I'm looking to be able to determine, roughly, how to order them in a switch from brightest to darkest.

Thanks!

 

[neurotictim]

Okay, so how about this? I'm going to modify another SX for an HH Stingray configuration, and I was thinking of trying this.

Corrections, or suggestions?

I combined a wiring diagram from guitarelectronics.com with your varitone diagram, and added a tone pot. It looks right to me, but does it look right to those of you who know what you're doing?

 

[davelowell2]

Bump for DarkHorse.

 

[neurotictim]

Bump again, hoping someone will tell me I'm right or wrong.

 

[kcbassy]

neurotictim - In regards to the tone part of your diagram, the varitone circuit is a "swap-in" replacement for the tone cap. Typically, the tone cap goes from a tone pot leg to ground, instead of the entire signal running through the tone cap and then into the tone pot, which is effectively what your diagram shows. Your diagram may work, but it's not how tone caps are normally inserted in the circuit.

See [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] for a representative example. The varitone would be wired into the circuit as if it were a single tone cap.

As far as the switching arrangement, once again, a lot of things will work, and your diagram may, but typically a pickup selector switch has one output, not two. Could you provide the guitarelectronics.com link to the diagram you used for reference?

 

[SGD Lutherie]

I just noticed that was wired wrong!

The way it is here, the Varitone will remove low end, not high end.

It has to connect from signal to ground.

The wire from the hot lug on the jack has to move from the tone pot to where the pickup switch connects to the Varitone.

 

[neurotictim]

As far as the switching arrangement, once again, a lot of things will work, and your diagram may, but typically a pickup selector switch has one output, not two. Could you provide the guitarelectronics.com link to the diagram you used for reference?

I believe this was the diagram I started with, and combined DarkHorse's varitone circuit with it.

Invalid Link Removed

The goal here was for me to have two 2-coil MusicMan-style pickups, each with their own volume pot, which is also a push/pull for series/parallel wiring.

Then a 3-way bridge/both/neck pickup selector switch.

Then a "varitone" switch with a pot that would allow further control over the amount of treble rolled off after selecting one of the 6 positions on the varitone.

It's a lot of tonal options (realistically probably far more than I'd actually find useful) but I'd like to see what it's like, and I'm a tinkerer anyway.

So you're saying I should wire the varitone in where a cap would normally go in a tone circuit? I can see where that would make sense, but I'm not terribly familiar with guitar wiring.

 

[neurotictim]

Like this, then? Granted, it's not the prettiest as drawn, but electrically speaking?

 

[hdracer]

Great thread!! I made one but it would not fit in my Aerodine and I didn't want to make one for each of my passive basses so I went to Radio Shack and and got a "project box" and put it in there. Used a little Velcro and a short cord. Works great and I can take it with me.