• 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.

Options for a Sadowsky VTC Mod?

Altitude

Altitude

An ounce of perception, a pound of obscure.
Supporting Member
Mar 9, 2005
11,161
13,993
55
Denver, nee Austin
#1
Team,

Sadowsky preamp with VTC. I notice on mine, most of the change in the tone happens in the final ~15% of the knob travel. And it’s very bright in the other 85%.

Wondering if anyone has experimented with any tone pots other than whatever comes with a Sadowsky preamp.
 
#2
Altitude said:
Team,

Sadowsky preamp with VTC. I notice on mine, most of the change in the tone happens in the final ~15% of the knob travel. And it’s very bright in the other 85%.

Wondering if anyone has experimented with any tone pots other than whatever comes with a Sadowsky preamp.
Click to expand...
Sounds pretty typical of a passive tone pot when paired with an active preamp. The VTC is just a typical traditional passive tone pot using a 250Kohm audio pot and .047uf capacitor. You could experiment with different potentiometers to find a better taper, but I think part of the issue is probably just the voice of the preamp paired with the tone pot since the traditional Sadowsky preamp is boost-only for both bass and treble (and I believe boosts a bit even with both controls completely turned down).
 
#3
sunbeast said:
Sounds pretty typical of a passive tone pot when paired with an active preamp. The VTC is just a typical traditional passive tone pot using a 250Kohm audio pot and .047uf capacitor. You could experiment with different potentiometers to find a better taper, but I think part of the issue is probably just the voice of the preamp paired with the tone pot since the traditional Sadowsky preamp is boost-only for both bass and treble (and I believe boosts a bit even with both controls completely turned down).
Click to expand...
That's pretty much the situation, although at no boost it does sound almost imperceptible from the passive mode. It sounds pretty good when you roll off the VTC about 2/3 of the way and then add back in some treble with the preamp, plus low end to taste. I just wonder if a 100Kohm pot would give it more flexibility. As an added challenge though, the VTC pot is push-pull to defeat the preamp and go passive. Not sure how easy it would be to find another pot value that does that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sunbeast
#4
Altitude said:
That's pretty much the situation, although at no boost it does sound almost imperceptible from the passive mode. It sounds pretty good when you roll off the VTC about 2/3 of the way and then add back in some treble with the preamp, plus low end to taste. I just wonder if a 100Kohm pot would give it more flexibility. As an added challenge though, the VTC pot is push-pull to defeat the preamp and go passive. Not sure how easy it would be to find another pot value that does that.
Click to expand...
Interesting- I have a Sadowsky outboard pre that definitely adds some color even when flat.

I think the issue with a 100K pot will be the lack of flexibility when in passive mode, and I wouldn’t necessarily expect the taper to be greatly improved. Worth an experiment if it bothers you though, pots aren’t too expensive (there are other options available too): Invalid Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back