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POLL: instrument volume knob settings
- Thread starter SLO Surfer
- Start date
This is exactly what I've found to work for me on both one and two pickup basses as well. I run both active and passive basses this way.
Wow, I had no clue anyone played with less than 100 percent volume. Guess I never thought about it. I have always been maxed live and in the studio.
This is exactly why I started this poll, because I never thought about it either. I just assumed everyone ran their volume wide open until I saw in another post today where people from both sides were sure that everybody else did it their way, whether it was dimed or less than 100%. So far the poll is showing that it's pretty one sided; most of us run full volume on our instrument.
My Passive P - 100% wide open. Give the FOH engineer as much fullness as I can.
Active MM - 100% wide open in parallel and reduced to about 80% in series. This is only to compensate for the difference in volume between parallel and series.
Active MM - 100% wide open in parallel and reduced to about 80% in series. This is only to compensate for the difference in volume between parallel and series.
The only bass I’ll regularly dime the volume on is certain PBs. Because on some of them their Fender-style split single can use all the help it can get. At least IMO.
Almost everything else I set for around 8. I’ll then set my amp’s EQ and volume to accommodate that setting. Old habits acquired back in the days of big backlines (and before FOH systems and house sound guys were common) die hard. And to be honest, I never felt holding a little in reserve with the instrument’s volume knob caused any really noticeable difference in the overall sound I prefer. Possibly because I spend an inordinate amount of time with a new bass tweaking its setup, getting the pickups balanced to my satisfaction, and selecting just the right set of strings for it. That entire process can take a few weeks. But I only need to go through it once up front with each new bass. So to me it’s time well spent. But that’s me. YMMV.
Almost everything else I set for around 8. I’ll then set my amp’s EQ and volume to accommodate that setting. Old habits acquired back in the days of big backlines (and before FOH systems and house sound guys were common) die hard. And to be honest, I never felt holding a little in reserve with the instrument’s volume knob caused any really noticeable difference in the overall sound I prefer. Possibly because I spend an inordinate amount of time with a new bass tweaking its setup, getting the pickups balanced to my satisfaction, and selecting just the right set of strings for it. That entire process can take a few weeks. But I only need to go through it once up front with each new bass. So to me it’s time well spent. But that’s me. YMMV.
G&L L2000 Trib, it's just about impossible to run it full blast with those supercharged pickups.
Wide open and if I need more volume, I turn to the amp... Isn't that one of the reason we use an amp? If you don't well just too bad...
I learned something today for sure. I run P basses all the time. I would take one without a volume and tone knob if I could. I never mess with it. My amp and VT bass provide my tonal options. It’s intersting to see others opinions on this. Good stuff.
The numerous Jazz basses I've used have always been run wide open, full wood. Then occasionally I'll roll the neck pickup down approximately 20% to get a more nasal, gruffer tone, known as the "Faux Fretless". A little bit of the proper technique can produce a pretty convincing fretless imitation.
Most of the basses I've used on tour have had the pots and knobs replaced with a kill switch and a selectable pad for the front pickup. Worked for me, YMMV.
Most of the basses I've used on tour have had the pots and knobs replaced with a kill switch and a selectable pad for the front pickup. Worked for me, YMMV.
G&L L2500 around 60%. Maxed is overdrive, plus I like to leave something in reserve for when the lead player starts feeling his "metal roots" kick in!! (He's a great player, just every once and awhile...)
Seriously, I'm very aware of my playing dynamics, but sometimes I like to have that "extra" available. BTW, I run my Carbine M6 at 100% Master, Gain at around 40%, most rooms. Those MFDs can provide the grit, if needed.
My Jazz and my P-basses...dimed. (All passive)
Seriously, I'm very aware of my playing dynamics, but sometimes I like to have that "extra" available. BTW, I run my Carbine M6 at 100% Master, Gain at around 40%, most rooms. Those MFDs can provide the grit, if needed.
My Jazz and my P-basses...dimed. (All passive)
That's a volume knob? I thought it was a mute knob.
Almost always all the way up.
I like the sound; I don’t like the idea giving the sound guy a shock (surprise) if I accidentally turn the volume knob up if its set down some amount; I generate dynamics with my hands; and also I don’t like the vagueness of setting it “somewhere around” 80% or something.
Wide open I know what I’m working with.
Despite all of that, sometimes on active basses I do find myself turning down a bit to find a sweet spot.
That’s just what I’ve found best with my gear; I’m not set in stone and am willing to experiment if I feel the need to.
I like the sound; I don’t like the idea giving the sound guy a shock (surprise) if I accidentally turn the volume knob up if its set down some amount; I generate dynamics with my hands; and also I don’t like the vagueness of setting it “somewhere around” 80% or something.
Wide open I know what I’m working with.
Despite all of that, sometimes on active basses I do find myself turning down a bit to find a sweet spot.
That’s just what I’ve found best with my gear; I’m not set in stone and am willing to experiment if I feel the need to.
Almost always wide open because I don't want to mess with the sound guy/gal's job, although sometimes you just need that little boost (beyond finger dynamics control).
Depends on the band. In the classic rock band, dimed.
In my originals doom band, set to maybe 80% because I have a fuzz face in the chain, and they are very sensitive to volume changes.
In my big band, it depends on the conductor. On some songs, the senior conductor wants the bass to be louder than on others, so I need the extra headroom. Access to the amp may be restricted if it's hidden behind a curtain for example (like the last gig I played with them), so using the volume knob is much easier.
In my originals doom band, set to maybe 80% because I have a fuzz face in the chain, and they are very sensitive to volume changes.
In my big band, it depends on the conductor. On some songs, the senior conductor wants the bass to be louder than on others, so I need the extra headroom. Access to the amp may be restricted if it's hidden behind a curtain for example (like the last gig I played with them), so using the volume knob is much easier.
Fully on or fully off. There’s literally no in between for me. In fact, a couple of posts in this thread are now making me think about getting a kill switch installed in my Sandberg Electra VS4 (P bass).
Twin pickups, both on, one on full, the other backed off a touch.
Which pickup gets backed off depends on the overall sound and the position of the pickups. J or P/J, the bridge pickup is backed off, Ric/Gibson style with the neck pickup very close to the neck, the neck pickup gets backed off.
Which pickup gets backed off depends on the overall sound and the position of the pickups. J or P/J, the bridge pickup is backed off, Ric/Gibson style with the neck pickup very close to the neck, the neck pickup gets backed off.
Interesting question!
I ran 100% volume on my jazz basses and a few active basses for like 12-15 years. As my understanding of bass tone was refined, I realized I was getting some unwanted "noise" when playing. I found that if I rolled both pickups on my jazz down to about 95%, the tone became much cleaner. Out of habit, I did it on my brand new DJ5 and found the exact same phenomenon (though to a slightly lesser extent). The only active bass I've run less than 100% was a Stingray.
Nowadays, I always run both jazz pickups at 95% and will sometimes roll the bridge back to about 30-40% for a more P-bass sound.
Works for me...
I ran 100% volume on my jazz basses and a few active basses for like 12-15 years. As my understanding of bass tone was refined, I realized I was getting some unwanted "noise" when playing. I found that if I rolled both pickups on my jazz down to about 95%, the tone became much cleaner. Out of habit, I did it on my brand new DJ5 and found the exact same phenomenon (though to a slightly lesser extent). The only active bass I've run less than 100% was a Stingray.
Nowadays, I always run both jazz pickups at 95% and will sometimes roll the bridge back to about 30-40% for a more P-bass sound.
Works for me...
Passives, wide open. Interesting posts here, and I do believe that the passives have slightly more treble when the volume is cranked.
Actives, around 85% or so. I leave myself enough room to bump it up for an interesting bass line or two when needed.
Actives, around 85% or so. I leave myself enough room to bump it up for an interesting bass line or two when needed.
