Put a rubber washer under the knobs so that you have friction. I’ve done that with pedals and it helps keep them in whatever position you set them in.
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Controls preffered?
- Thread starter Ramirogg10
- Start date
Whatever
My two main basses are polar opposites. One is a P bass, one pickup, a knob that makes it less loud and another that makes it less trebly. The other is a Lakland with their typical Mm/J, master volume, 3-band EQ, and coil selector for the MM pickup.
Never bought a bass because of the controls it double didn't have. Bought them because of how they sound.
My two main basses are polar opposites. One is a P bass, one pickup, a knob that makes it less loud and another that makes it less trebly. The other is a Lakland with their typical Mm/J, master volume, 3-band EQ, and coil selector for the MM pickup.
Never bought a bass because of the controls it double didn't have. Bought them because of how they sound.
D
top to bottom
-On/off switch
-Volume neck J
-Volume mm & push/pull series/parallel
-volume Bridge J
-tone
works for me!!
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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So many options for wiring. I just like very simple and basic, and I can't solder very well. It all boils down to whatever works best for each player. Everyone is different and has unique needs.
Stock answer: It depends. It depends on numerous factors in this case.
1.) What type of bass is it? A single pickup bass used strictly for recording doesn't need any onboard controls whatsoever. The board does it all. Maybe a kill switch, but that's it.
2.) What model is it? A single pickup instrument only needs a volume and tone to supply a wide range of tones. A triple pickup model may need a whole row of knobs and switches.
3.) Is it more of a utilitarian instrument or a stage prop? (Only for show.) Basses used for certain stage numbers may fall into the first category, only the FOH replaces the board.
4.) Is it the stock configuration for the model? Heavily modded instruments may have a learning curve. In many cases this is not a good thing. If it's your design, it's okay then.
5.) Do the controls really accomplish anything? Bumping into fifteen toggles in the middle of a song stinks. Especially when flipping them has no perceptible tonal variation.
6.) Are the controls part of the aesthetics of the instrument? Even if you only use one setting, if the bass looks cool and inspires you to play it's worth having multiple controls.
7.) Do extra controls add to the weight? This topic has gotten so important lately it surely must rear its hideous head in this department, too. So, does a 500k pot weigh as much as the same amount of wood? Which species? Maple or basswood? Hmmm. Better break out the bathroom scale. This is a touchy subject best left to the experts.
Personal preferences are all that matter in this discussion. If you own several instruments of various types chances are you've managed to get comfortable with them. I never heard of anyone turning down a great instrument due to the number or configuration of the controls. If you really like a bass, you'll eventually get used to it. (Unless it's a 24 fret blue '92 Carvin LB70. That's another story entirely, but I digress...) Hope this didn't bore you. Happy Fourth Of July!!!
1.) What type of bass is it? A single pickup bass used strictly for recording doesn't need any onboard controls whatsoever. The board does it all. Maybe a kill switch, but that's it.
2.) What model is it? A single pickup instrument only needs a volume and tone to supply a wide range of tones. A triple pickup model may need a whole row of knobs and switches.
3.) Is it more of a utilitarian instrument or a stage prop? (Only for show.) Basses used for certain stage numbers may fall into the first category, only the FOH replaces the board.
4.) Is it the stock configuration for the model? Heavily modded instruments may have a learning curve. In many cases this is not a good thing. If it's your design, it's okay then.
5.) Do the controls really accomplish anything? Bumping into fifteen toggles in the middle of a song stinks. Especially when flipping them has no perceptible tonal variation.
6.) Are the controls part of the aesthetics of the instrument? Even if you only use one setting, if the bass looks cool and inspires you to play it's worth having multiple controls.
7.) Do extra controls add to the weight? This topic has gotten so important lately it surely must rear its hideous head in this department, too. So, does a 500k pot weigh as much as the same amount of wood? Which species? Maple or basswood? Hmmm. Better break out the bathroom scale. This is a touchy subject best left to the experts.
Personal preferences are all that matter in this discussion. If you own several instruments of various types chances are you've managed to get comfortable with them. I never heard of anyone turning down a great instrument due to the number or configuration of the controls. If you really like a bass, you'll eventually get used to it. (Unless it's a 24 fret blue '92 Carvin LB70. That's another story entirely, but I digress...) Hope this didn't bore you. Happy Fourth Of July!!!
My thoughts, though I usually move my volume knobs in unison, so I'd say one volume knob to rule them all, and maybe a mixer/blend knob before that.
Precision bass had it right from the beginning. V&T. Passive. No unnecessary bells and whistles for me.
Forgot an important point in previous post (#69): 8.) Are the controls easy to use? Some configurations are counterintuitive and make the instrument harder to play. If the pots are in the "wrong spot" you might turn the volume down instead of boosting the treble. That would be annoying. This can occur on a simple bass like a P with only two knobs.
Heck, while we're at it might as well make this list a Top 10.
9.) Do the controls confuse you when playing? Related to the last question but not the same thing. Confusing the controls is not being able to see whether you're about to flip the phase switch for the middle pickup instead of the bass cut for the neck pickup (or the kill switch, all three are almost touching one another). This only occurs on instruments with a bevy of controls.
Finally, 10.) Do you prefer your carrots sliced, julienne or whole?
Heck, while we're at it might as well make this list a Top 10.
9.) Do the controls confuse you when playing? Related to the last question but not the same thing. Confusing the controls is not being able to see whether you're about to flip the phase switch for the middle pickup instead of the bass cut for the neck pickup (or the kill switch, all three are almost touching one another). This only occurs on instruments with a bevy of controls.
Finally, 10.) Do you prefer your carrots sliced, julienne or whole?
Last edited:
Doner Designs
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Passinwind
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The less the better - within reason.
Passive tone knob is my favorite and most-used.
Pickup selection is of course important if there is more than one pickup.
If there has to be active EQ I prefer 2-band.
Master volume is nice for doing volume swells and as a "break" switch.
I have never done well with the proverbial "forest of knobs & switches". I get confused and distracted. (I start missing cues, wondering if maybe the bass would sound better with the bridge pickup in series, the neck in parallel and the mid boost shifted higher...)
YMMV
Passive tone knob is my favorite and most-used.
Pickup selection is of course important if there is more than one pickup.
If there has to be active EQ I prefer 2-band.
Master volume is nice for doing volume swells and as a "break" switch.
I have never done well with the proverbial "forest of knobs & switches". I get confused and distracted. (I start missing cues, wondering if maybe the bass would sound better with the bridge pickup in series, the neck in parallel and the mid boost shifted higher...)
YMMV
I'm not a fan of pickup switch on multi pickup basses. i. e. my Roscoe Becks.
I'd rather have the ability to blend.
I find linear pots better for (passive) blending.
Other than stock Ps & Js, my favorite setup is active blend with passive tone I have on a Tony Franklin.
My other TF is modded to VVT.
I'd rather have the ability to blend.
I find linear pots better for (passive) blending.
Other than stock Ps & Js, my favorite setup is active blend with passive tone I have on a Tony Franklin.
My other TF is modded to VVT.
I must have a Master Volume. If it's two pickups I prefer a blend. If it's active I prefer 3-band.
I have a Fender PJ. Both volume knobs an tone control are wide open always. So I could get by with no controls on my bass. Now I have an active Warwick Corvette that is always set to flat, fader is balanced to each pickup.
So basically the answer is most of my tonal control is done with my amp or preamp.
