Suprisingly, I am fine not having the VTC on my ash/maple MV5. The top end is not out of control on mine. However, on my old UV70, I would miss it. Always had it a quarter turn rolled back.
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I've noticed that the maple-ash metros seem to have a little extra zing on the top end that can sometimes be harsh. A VTC can really help roll that back. I haven't noticed this as much on the Alder-morado metros. Oddly the NYC ash-maples I've played seem a touch warmer and I haven't noticed it as much. I don't know if it's the chambered bodies or a more resonant ash in the NYC's but every NYC ash maple I've played including the two I've owned have been noticeably warmer then the Ash maple metros or even my Alder Morado metro. But my feeling is a VTC can't hurt, options are always good.
- Aug 25, 2000
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Ditto...I could easily live without the VTC.
And I dunno about you sissies that keep your pre's flat. I give a healthy, like 50% boost, to the lows and anywhere from slightly ahead to slightly behind the bass level with the treble.
I mean...flat just seems to me like having a Ferrari and always driving the speed limit.
HI
LOL, Craig. The only reason I have a VTC is because they come standard now. Nothing against them, just not for me
Rob
LOL, Craig. The only reason I have a VTC is because they come standard now. Nothing against them, just not for me
Rob
When you guys say you "never use" or "rarely use" the VTC, do you mean that you leave it turned to the fully counter clockwise position?
- Nov 4, 2003
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I usually run the bass boosted maybe 10-15%.
And I would roll back the VTC about 15-20% sometimes.
Kinda hard to see here, but it's rolled back about 20%:
And I would roll back the VTC about 15-20% sometimes.
Kinda hard to see here, but it's rolled back about 20%:
Hi
Well, if I wore a cowbay hat like that on stage, Id def. roll my VTC off. Damn straight!!!!!
Rob
Well, if I wore a cowbay hat like that on stage, Id def. roll my VTC off. Damn straight!!!!!
Rob
Ok, thanks Rob...
I thought "never used it" may have meant you only ever use it in the fully rolled "off" position.
I will have to try it only in the "full on" position and see what YOU are hearing? I have been very happy with it around half way so maybe I have been only hearing half the story?
Still sounds great to my ears... maybe I'm in for a treat!
Thanks Andrew.
I thought "never used it" may have meant you only ever use it in the fully rolled "off" position.
I will have to try it only in the "full on" position and see what YOU are hearing? I have been very happy with it around half way so maybe I have been only hearing half the story?
Still sounds great to my ears... maybe I'm in for a treat!
Thanks Andrew.
HI
Cool beans, bass collector. When I first started using Roger's gear, the tone control was not standard. On my first order he asked me if I wanted it. After he explained what it was, I passed. Guess it just depends on your style and the tone u like. Same idea as a vintage J bass with the tone control cranked. Ya know? I tend to keep my amp kinda flat, so there ya go. Roll it around, see what you think. Many guys like using it with the treble control. Rolling both around will change alot of what you are used to
Rob
Cool beans, bass collector. When I first started using Roger's gear, the tone control was not standard. On my first order he asked me if I wanted it. After he explained what it was, I passed. Guess it just depends on your style and the tone u like. Same idea as a vintage J bass with the tone control cranked. Ya know? I tend to keep my amp kinda flat, so there ya go. Roll it around, see what you think. Many guys like using it with the treble control. Rolling both around will change alot of what you are used to
Rob
- Aug 25, 2000
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Just checked my bass, and I gotta readjust my 50% bass boost claim. 
Didn't realize it went quite that far around. It's more like 25-30%.
And about the VTC...counterclockwise is the way you turn the VTC to roll off the highs, so fully clockwise is "off". That's where it almost always stays for me. Could easily live without it altogether, but nice to have it just in case.
Didn't realize it went quite that far around. It's more like 25-30%.
And about the VTC...counterclockwise is the way you turn the VTC to roll off the highs, so fully clockwise is "off". That's where it almost always stays for me. Could easily live without it altogether, but nice to have it just in case.
HI
Hey Craig. If you have a day off this week, we could meet somewhere. Try to get ourselves a couple groovy hats like Mike. Maybe that way our VTC's would be relevant. What do u think?
Rob
Hey Craig. If you have a day off this week, we could meet somewhere. Try to get ourselves a couple groovy hats like Mike. Maybe that way our VTC's would be relevant. What do u think?
Rob
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- Aug 25, 2000
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LOL! I actually have a "Shady Brady" (exact one pictured below)...but I'm not quite cool enough to pull off actually wearing it on a gig...like Mike does so effortlessly.
Thanks very much guys.
The "same idea as a vintage Jazz Bass" analogy works for me.
It's funny, on my Fender Jazz I only ever use the tone knob up full... with the VTC on my Sadowsky's, I have never thought of this control being the same as this? I think that when I got my first Sadowsky, it took a while to get used to the boost only aspect to the pre-amp. I originally had the treble on half and the bass boosted slightly and was finding the top end too bright... hence why I had the VTC turned back a lot. I have gone to now using no treble or bass boost on the pre-amp at all, it sounds great where it is and it has just not occured to me to play around with the VTC I suppose?
I guess I can understand the single coil guys going passive and not using the pre-amp? I love the sound with it on with the humcancelling pick-up's in mine.
btw Craig, I was thinking your "50% boost" claim was very optimistic? 50% bass boost on my basses through the DB750 / GS412 or DB810 would liquify people I'm thinking?
Thanks again guys,
Cheers!
The "same idea as a vintage Jazz Bass" analogy works for me.
It's funny, on my Fender Jazz I only ever use the tone knob up full... with the VTC on my Sadowsky's, I have never thought of this control being the same as this? I think that when I got my first Sadowsky, it took a while to get used to the boost only aspect to the pre-amp. I originally had the treble on half and the bass boosted slightly and was finding the top end too bright... hence why I had the VTC turned back a lot. I have gone to now using no treble or bass boost on the pre-amp at all, it sounds great where it is and it has just not occured to me to play around with the VTC I suppose?
I guess I can understand the single coil guys going passive and not using the pre-amp? I love the sound with it on with the humcancelling pick-up's in mine.
btw Craig, I was thinking your "50% boost" claim was very optimistic? 50% bass boost on my basses through the DB750 / GS412 or DB810 would liquify people I'm thinking?
Thanks again guys,
Cheers!
On the VTC, both of my Sadowskys are pretty aggressive... an MV5 with SC's and a 24F-5 with an ash body and an ebony board. I find in both of these rolling the VTC back 20-50% does a great job of smoothing out the high end if I want a mellower sweeter tone.
On the preamp, I don't boost the lows or highs often, but I do use them, tho rarely more than maybe 25-35% on either/both.
Of course this is all dependent on the usual subjective things, style, gear, musical setting, etc.
On the preamp, I don't boost the lows or highs often, but I do use them, tho rarely more than maybe 25-35% on either/both.
Of course this is all dependent on the usual subjective things, style, gear, musical setting, etc.
Ditto...I could easily live without the VTC.
And I dunno about you sissies that keep your pre's flat. I give a healthy, like 50% boost, to the lows and anywhere from slightly ahead to slightly behind the bass level with the treble.
I mean...flat just seems to me like having a Ferrari and always driving the speed limit.
+1
i shower in sadowsky treble/bass boost nightly.
I would second that...I use about 10% to 30% bass and treble boost (usually bass) and I use the VTC depending on what I am playing....
Peace,
T
I use the "usual" 20-25% bass boost, treble flat. The VTC is rolled back 10-20% when I am playing with a pick. (MV5 with SCs)
