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

#121
Claymore said:
(Gratuitous shot of my P that has no volume) View attachment 4076031 I was wondering how many of you actually use their volume and if so, how often and in what context. I realized that I had never touched the volume on this particular instrument and that seemed like a waste of knob. So, what was the volume is now the tone with a push/pull killswitch and sitting in the former tone location is a Bill Lawrence Q-filter. I could have left the tone where it was but it felt better moved to the volume spot. Overall, I do not miss the volume at all and would do the same thing if I ever get another P (unless it's vintage). How often do you use your volume? Do you start off around 75%... That way you can adjust your level on the fly mid-song? Or maybe use it to tame really hot pickups? I know it depends on the bass but let me know your thoughts.
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Let's see....the last time I changed the volume on either of the two Jazz Basses I've owned since 1966 was...1966. Actually, I do roll both volumes all the way off when taking a break and roll them back up when I return. Otherwise I keep the two volume knobs and the tone maxed on my Jazz and adjust volume and EQ at my amp where I have a lot more control. I play with a fairly light touch most of the time so I can dig in a bit more to be louder. HOWEVER...I really do like the idea of dropping those volume knobs to 75% "IF" it doesn't change my overall sound. As long as it doesn't change that magic sound I get with the V, V, & T timed, being able to instantly get more headroom as needed is very appealing to me.:woot::):thumbsup:

I'll have to give that a try.
 
#123
baileyboy said:
There is that school of thought that dictates the bass volume is always played with volume 100% up, and actual volume heard is done via amp/soundboard. Others like to adjust bass volume if need be, so leave some room to play. Not to hijack, but is there any benefit to either approach (other than the obvious)?
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For me:
Once I subscribed to the Gary Willis 'theory' of -light touch is really all that is needed- to produce the sounds one needs.. Its akin to the golfer idiom "Let the club do the work" (for you) so I put it in practice and cranked it wide.. I did notice at the initial start, ofc, many unwanted higher notes ~harmonics~ string-scraping etc.. rang out: but some work on the floating thumb and some palm mute [truly any] bass player's friend IME/IMO and doing some drills for the left hand muting as well helps to curb that unwanted noise and let the music/tones -I WANT- to ring through with a lot more control.

And again, since I have a 3 band active EQ, I can use those to boost/cut a lot of the frequencies that I feel are needed to shape my tone beyond my fingers and muting ability.
 
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#127
Claymore said:
(Gratuitous shot of my P that has no volume) View attachment 4076031 I was wondering how many of you actually use their volume and if so, how often and in what context. I realized that I had never touched the volume on this particular instrument and that seemed like a waste of knob. So, what was the volume is now the tone with a push/pull killswitch and sitting in the former tone location is a Bill Lawrence Q-filter. I could have left the tone where it was but it felt better moved to the volume spot. Overall, I do not miss the volume at all and would do the same thing if I ever get another P (unless it's vintage). How often do you use your volume? Do you start off around 75%... That way you can adjust your level on the fly mid-song? Or maybe use it to tame really hot pickups? I know it depends on the bass but let me know your thoughts.
Click to expand...
It’s the only knob I really use on my basses. Mainly for volume swells, I’m terrible at using volume/expresssion pedals lol
 
#128
I mostly only use the onboard volume knob as a "break" switch and the occasional volume swell effect (which can be cool & fun therefore I would never go so far as to de-install).
The exception is my acoustic bass guitar, where the knob faces directly at me so I can always see where it is set. I usually have that between noon & 3 o'clock to match levels with another instrument I might be switching between. (All the way up is pretty darn hot on that ABG. And it is active / low impedance so the tone is not noticably affected.)
That level matching thing sure can be handy - I wish every active bass had a trim pot for that purpose.
 
#133
Highroler79 said:
Jazz Stubbys 3's? for picks?
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I tend to like the thinner ones. I'm using the Dunlop Tortex .73. I've tried the thick ones and I just feel like I get a more consistent tone with those for fast picking anyway. I recently ordered a variety pack that had a lot of thicker picks, but I just couldn't find the love for those.
 
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#138
I love doing fade outs on a sustain, so in a live setting, once or twice per set. Occasionally the guitarists in my cover band will switch to an acoustic or different electric, in which case I may use the knob to control my stage presence a bit. However, I just recently purchased an EBMM volume pedal, so I’m excited for the dynamic expression. opportunities that will bring.
 
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