Double Bass Adding volume control

[kmanley_29649]

I haven't been in DB very long, and the setup that I currentlyl have is fairly cheap, but in my opinion sounds great. I am running an SDT1 pickup (Link Removed) and the Fdeck HPF-Pro preamp. Again, this setup sounds great, and I have no problem with it. I am thinking of adding a volume control to it, however, and I am unsure of the best way to go about doing this. I was hoping that someone here might have a suggestion on this. So far the only thing I've come up with is spice a volume pot into the cable running from the pickup output to the preamp, but I feel that there is an easier way that I haven't thought of yet.

Thanks, and I look forward to any suggestions.

 

[mattfong]

A cheap volume pedal in between bass and whatever amp you're using?

Might be more expensive but it's easier.

 

[kmanley_29649]

I did think about that. I was hoping to get some type of volume nob actually on the bass but I haven't ruled out a pedal.

 

[mattfong]

glue the pedal to the bass

Seriously though, it's probably not that hard to buy a volume pot, maybe a couple jacks, put it into a little box, velcro it to the hpf-pre, and connect it all together with short patchcords?

 

[AZNBassist]

wait your gonna drill a volume knob into your bass? Buddy, I mean its your bass and you do what you want with it, but seriously man, I would highly advise that you don't modify the bass at all. Specially in the years the come, you'll be looking back at that hole being like man, why'd I do that.

 

[kmanley_29649]

I have no intention of drilling into the bass. I just want something that I can velcro to the preamp or tailpiece or something.

 

[Wal Pawlik]

I haven't been in DB very long, and the setup that I currentlyl have is fairly cheap, but in my opinion sounds great. I am running an SDT1 pickup (Link Removed) and the Fdeck HPF-Pro preamp. Again, this setup sounds great, and I have no problem with it. I am thinking of adding a volume control to it, however, and I am unsure of the best way to go about doing this. I was hoping that someone here might have a suggestion on this. So far the only thing I've come up with is spice a volume pot into the cable running from the pickup output to the preamp, but I feel that there is an easier way that I haven't thought of yet.

Thanks, and I look forward to any suggestions.

If you look at #7 in this thread it is my solution to your problem.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430614

I added a small 20k log pot as a volume control. It is a bit tricky as there is not a lot of room so you need to be fairly precise drilling the hole for the pot.
Then you need to cut the track leading to the output jack and solder the wires for the pot between.
Look at the circuit on fdeck's website and you can see where it should go.
It is not the most elegant solution but it works.

 

[BusterDog]

Sorry if I'm sidetracking this thread. I'm curious how you have the SDT1 mounted. In the bridge wing, or under the foot, etc.
I experimented with those piezo films, & didn't have much luck with them.

 

[fdeck]

If you look at #7 in this thread it is my solution to your problem.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430614

I added a small 20k log pot as a volume control. It is a bit tricky as there is not a lot of room so you need to be fairly precise drilling the hole for the pot.
Then you need to cut the track leading to the output jack and solder the wires for the pot between.
Look at the circuit on fdeck's website and you can see where it should go.
It is not the most elegant solution but it works.

This is a great idea.

Based on this concept, I am going to perform the same mod on my HPF-Pre, and will post detailed pictures. Then I will think about the best way of adding it to the product -- at least as an option.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

What, exactly, are you hoping to achieve by having a volume control on your bass? At some point you're going to need to bite the bullet and develop your physical approach so that you can control the dynamics of your acoustic instrument without relying on external devices. The thing that is going to project your sound out into the room when you move from accompaniment to solo isn't going to be turning some knobs.

 

[kmanley_29649]

I mouned it under the bridge foot with a slice of cork between the body and the film.

 

[kmanley_29649]

I understand this, but need to be able to adjust the volume while maintaining an aggressive attack in some songs.

 

[kmanley_29649]

If you look at #7 in this thread it is my solution to your problem.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430614

I added a small 20k log pot as a volume control. It is a bit tricky as there is not a lot of room so you need to be fairly precise drilling the hole for the pot.
Then you need to cut the track leading to the output jack and solder the wires for the pot between.
Look at the circuit on fdeck's website and you can see where it should go.
It is not the most elegant solution but it works.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Do you think you could post some detailed pictures of the circuit board so I can get a better idea of how to go about doing this. Thanks.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I understand this, but need to be able to adjust the volume while maintaining an aggressive attack in some songs.

And I understand that, but it still in no way obviates using those things that hang off the end of your shoulders. An aggressive articulated attack should be available to you throughout the dynamic spectrum when you play acoustically. That's the only way it's going to come out of an amp. GIGO especially holds true here.

 

[christ andronis]

And I understand that, but it still in no way obviates using those things that hang off the end of your shoulders. An aggressive articulated attack should be available to you throughout the dynamic spectrum when you play acoustically. That's the only way it's going to come out of an amp. GIGO especially holds true here.

GIGO??? I'm soddy Mr. Fuqua...I'ma no understand your speak!

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Sorry
GIGO - Garbage in, Garbage out as in - no magic filter in between or, as Rufus Reid puts it, if you have a thin, ill-defined,non projecting sound acoustically when you put it through the amplifier you get a LOUD thin, ill-defined non projecting sound.

 

[christ andronis]

Sorry
GIGO - Garbage in, Garbage out as in - no magic filter in between or, as Rufus Reid puts it, if you have a thin, ill-defined,non projecting sound acoustically when you put it through the amplifier you get a LOUD thin, ill-defined non projecting sound.

..Yaaaa....goooot! Thanks!

 

[fdeck]

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Do you think you could post some detailed pictures of the circuit board so I can get a better idea of how to go about doing this. Thanks.

Yes. I plan on providing DIY-friendly documentation.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Do the electronics in this type of situation need to be on the bass? Is there any possible way you can mount all of that "stuff" somewhere besides the the front of the bass? I realize your bass needs to be amplified, but it sure would look prettier and less cluttered without the "borg" treatment. I will shut up now and take my beating.
-J

PS, it is not my intention to start a war, but I sure have seen a lot of electronics hanging off of acoustic instruments lately. If this subject seems too much like a personal attack, I will remove this post and start a new thread on visual esthetics.

 

[kmanley_29649]

To each their own. The pickup obviously needs to be on the bass, but I suppose that most preamps can be elsewhere, like on top of the actual amp, if you'd rather not have it on teh bass. I don't mind it, though, and like the convenience of having the controls right there with me.