• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Onboard distortion? Anyone tried this?

#21
Know what makes a REALLY COOL passive bass distortion?

Wire 2 diodes between the capacitor of your tone pot and ground. Only your highs will distort that way, and you can control the crossover.

I used BAT41s.

Invalid Link Removed

I *think* that's them. It's been a while since I did it.

I had it wired into one of my basses, and it made for some really cool sounds without needed a pedal.
 
#22
McSpunckle said:
Know what makes a REALLY COOL passive bass distortion?

Wire 2 diodes between the capacitor of your tone pot and ground. Only your highs will distort that way, and you can control the crossover.

I used BAT41s.

Invalid Link Removed

I *think* that's them. It's been a while since I did it.

I had it wired into one of my basses, and it made for some really cool sounds without needed a pedal.
Click to expand...

That sounds pretty cool, could you show me a wiring diagram tho? I'm not sure exactly where I would be soldering each end of each of them from your description.

Do you mean make like a series chain? Like unsolder the capacitor's ground leg from the pot, and attach a diode to that leg of the capacitor, then the other diode to the end of the first, and the end of the second would be soldered to ground on the pot? Or both of them parallel so both diodes would have one leg where the capacitor is soldered to ground, and the other leg where the capacitor meets the lug on the tone pot?
 
#23
Very close. I don't explain things very well, generally. Sorry.

It's essentially this:

Invalid Link Removed

Do you see how the diodes are done? It's basically that, except the diodes go in AFTER the tone cap (in series with it and ground) instead of replacing the cap with the diodes... which makes a bass sound like a fart machine.

It had a very cool tone for covers of Tool's "Sober." :D

DSCN0338.jpg


There it is on a tiny board with a trim pot.
 
#25
Just a warning... I imagine this mod will vary greatly with different pickups. I used it with a Dimarzio Split P/Model J combo with both pickups on.

With the Split P alone it have a cool, slightly broken up growl.

I need to try it again soon. Perhaps in a different bass.
 
#26
McSpunckle said:
Very close. I don't explain things very well, generally. Sorry.

It's essentially this:

Invalid Link Removed

Do you see how the diodes are done? It's basically that, except the diodes go in AFTER the tone cap (in series with it and ground) instead of replacing the cap with the diodes... which makes a bass sound like a fart machine.

It had a very cool tone for covers of Tool's "Sober." :D

DSCN0338.jpg


There it is on a tiny board with a trim pot.
Click to expand...

aha, so both diodes are together next to each other, one leg from each goes to the cap and the other to ground on the pot. Excellent I will be trying this as soon as I get those BAT's.
 
#30
Awesome idea McSpunkle, it turned out quite well. Tried a few from the local radio shack but their selection was awful and nothing they had worked. Ordered some from moser and installed them today, and it really sounds like a distortion unit, and a lot cheaper and easier. I was confused at first until I realized the tone at full gives a clean dimed signal, and when rolled off adds in the distortion (duh thats what kicks in the capacitor).

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to give their instrument a little dirt without any effects. I definitely want to get a hotter pickup, because I find picking anywhere but over the pickup has noticeably less distortion.
 
#32
I've just installed the QDD2 on my Jazz Bass and to say this was designed for guitar it actually sounds great :bassist:. This device is easily installed and replaces the tone pot (which I never use anyway), Its easy to follow the wiring diagram and also easy to solder. The complete kit I bought from AXESRUS UK for £17, it comes complete with the QDD2, Stereo Jack Socket, Battery Clip, Battery Box and all the screws, nuts, washers etc. I plug my bass directly into my amp (nothing in between), position 1 is bypass mode (no battery needed for this), Pos 2 boosts the signal slightly giving it a crisp warm tone, pos 3 boosts it out further increasing the lows, scooping the mids slightly, pos 4 gives it a slight distorted sound, pos 5 gives it a fine fuzzed out sound (which is what I was out to acheive), all this is with the gain set at half way. If your lucky the battery can be housed under the control plate without any body modification, bit of a tight fit in a Jazz so I had to install the battery box in the rear of the body. All in all a great buy with no regrets, If I get another Jazz Ill do it again. :hyper:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back