Best passive electronics upgrades?

[Lincoln]

I just pulled my Audere out of my '71 Ibanez j-bass to fund my Clement bass ( which will be my new full timer ). I'd like to keep "Isabel" as a passive backup but the original pots I pulled out are 40 years old.

To make it a top fight passive bass what electronics do you recommend. Currently, I have Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pups and a Hipshot A bridge which are staying on the bass, so it's all about what's under the control cavity...

 

[fullrangebass]

Add a Villex PRTB (which is passive by the way) and you'll never look back

www.villex.com

 

[Lincoln]

Add a Villex PRTB (which is passive by the way) and you'll never look back

www.villex.com

sounds great - though, I'm not sure I want to invest in $210 plus pups for a back-up semi-retired instrument. Anyone have any experience with the tonestyler?

 

[Jazz Ad]

You said you wanted to keep the pickups, not replace them. Just install the PRTB pots.

 

[Lincoln]

You said you wanted to keep the pickups, not replace them. Just install the PRTB pots.

PRTB pots?

Not sure what that's short for.

 

[Hellbastard]

PRTB pots?

Not sure what that's short for.

http://www.villex.com/prtb.html

 

[line6man]

PRTB pots?

Not sure what that's short for.

http://www.villex.com/prtb.html

 

[Lincoln]

http://www.villex.com/prtb.html

duh, (boy am I dense) I was just there checking out the pickups. Sooooo the question becomes Villex vs Stellertone...

What Volume pots do people recommend? And shielding...should I shield the cavity and pickup cavities?

 

[fullrangebass]

I'd like to add that Villex offers a bass specific PRTB (which is not mentioned on the website) which offers 0, 4, 7 and 10 dB boost. Both the original PRTB as well as the bass specific PRTB offer another 3 tonal platforms to the original platform of tones offered by the bass

 

[Lincoln]

I'd like to add that Villex offers a bass specific PRTB (which is not mentioned on the website) which offers 0, 4, 7 and 10 dB boost. Both the original PRTB as well as the bass specific PRTB offer another 3 tonal platforms to the original platform of tones offered by the bass

So if what are the merits of the Villex vs the Stellertone ( other than the $20 price differential)?

 

[fullrangebass]

The Stellartone is a varitone. The Villex PRTB is a booster plus it alters the character of the tone in each setting too

 

[NortyFiner]

duh, (boy am I dense) I was just there checking out the pickups. Sooooo the question becomes Villex vs Stellertone...

What Volume pots do people recommend? And shielding...should I shield the cavity and pickup cavities?

Shielding never hurts, and could certainly help, especially for a J-bass. I would definitely take that step.

 

[scotch]

Intersesting (the PRTB)...

How do they boost passively without any inductor coils, etc ???

 

[Lincoln]

The Stellartone is a varitone. The Villex PRTB is a booster plus it alters the character of the tone in each setting too

What's a varitone? ( boy am I am looking dumber with each passing post)

 

[scotch]

What's a varitone? ( boy am I am looking dumber with each passing post)

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The basic circuit is easily optimized for bass.

 

[tjclem]

it would be interesting to hear how a signal can be boosted without any power..........

 

[GeoffByrne]

Robs from Peter to pay Paul..............

 

[scotch]

it would be interesting to hear how a signal can be boosted without any power..........

Right! Does it cut everything & then bleed back in signal?

 

[fullrangebass]

I believe the input gain indicator of my amp

 

[scotch]

I believe the input gain indicator of my amp

I think it's a legitimate question. How is Villex boosting signal without any additional power?

Not trying to discount your experience, just very curious.