How often do you actually use your volume knob?...

Every time I’ve ever played my bass.

 

I typically use it more like an on/off switch. So if I am standing around waiting, I will roll the volume off. Also, out of habit, I roll the volume off before unplugging. This is so the next time when I plug the bass in, the volume is off.

The only time I tend to use volume as a volume control is when I do gigs without an amp. During soundcheck I will roll the volume off to about 60%-75% or so. The idea is so I can reach for extra headroom if it is needed in the middle of the show, instead of making a scene trying to get the audio techs attention.

When I am running an amp, I usually run the volume wide open. With passive basses I usually run the tone controls wide open as well. With active basses the tone controls are run in the neutral or nominally flat positions (center detente).

If the amp's tone controls cannot get me exactly the sound I want, I will use the bass's controls as a last resort. Also if I need to make subtle tone changes from one song to the next during the show, I usually make those changes on the bass if possible.

 

Good advice.

 

Every time I play live, but more like an on-off switch, with the exception of a few songs we begin with a volume swell.

 

Never on this bass.

 

Same here, I often use clip on tuners so I'll kill the volume to tune and at times between songs or whatever I don't want the bass to make any sound

I will occasionally do volume swells. I particularly like swelling a really low D, C, or B (I'm a 5 string guy) in slowly under mellow intros

 

Not often. But not never.

 

Every time,all the way up.

 

i play the ax with volume at 75% - 90%. i go to 100% if/when needed (e.g., change tone for a solo + volume 100%).

per the OP: regularly.

 

I'd be lost without it.
I use it all the time!

 

For gigs/rehearsals, I run my volume pot @ ~80%. I like to have a little extra on tap “just in case” which is easy to get to quickly. I also think I’ve come to prefer the tone it produces in that spot, slightly warmer and more subdued.

For home & headphone practice, I seem to always set my amps to where the bass volume pot is ~50%. I really don’t know why, but it’s just become a habit.

for these reasons, I subsequently prefer a blend knob on 2 pickup basses.

so... always!

 

All the time.

 

I use the volume knob every time I play my bass.

it is my in reach mute switch

 

Its either 100% or 0%. imho goal is to never change what is going to FOH mid show.
If, after sound checks I still need to be louder or softer its at the amp or somewhere post FOH.
Having to boost during a set, ie with a pedal, is pre planned and checked during soundcheck.
edit.. Certainly if no FOH...ignore this post

 

all the time. whether to mute it, change gain on a dirt setting, or to just lower volume when appropriate to the song, but all the time

 

Normally used as off between songs, but I will back it off a little for a laid back feel if is what the song calls for.

 

On a one pickup bass, seldom, other than turning it down at the end of a set - I get a level and keep it there - fingers can handle most dynamic changes. Same with tone - the only time I touch it is to turn it to 0 to get more of a "quick flats" tone. But still good to have.

 

It is my standby switch. Mostly used at the beginning and end of a set. Also, if I am bending over to pick something up, which is rare.