Purpose of volume control on Precision bass?

[Slevage]

Do you actually use the V control to reduce volume or do you use it as a rotary on/off control only?

Basically 3 settings--- full on, full off, and about 75 to 80 percent if I'm playing with a very loud band that goes from a kickin' tune to a ballad.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Around 75% knocks a tiny bit of the highs off, better than the tone control can do.

 

[friendlybass]

i use it more with the pedals when i'm trying to dial in a specific overdrive

^^^this. Otherwise I barely touch the controls

 

[wallypip]

I play in one band that has a sound guy. I give him full blast all the time, but I still turn it off between sets. I don't really have to, but I think it's a good habit as long as you remember to turn it back on. I have had a couple of ghost notes to start the third set.

I also play in much less structured acoustic-based group. For that, I have played through a 70 watt GK Backline 110 when we are just in the standard "coffee shop" setting or I DI when I'm using a small PA. Since everyone else is playing acoustic instruments through DIs or even just as acoustic instruments, I find the volume control to be very valuable because the bass can easily get too loud punchy during softer songs. I start at 75% and usually cut back more often than I turn up. As someone else said, at 75% you roll some of highs off and it seems to fit with the acoustic instruments better.

I used to have a Ergo EUB that didn't have a volume knob and it drove me nuts, so maybe I'm just a control freak. Ha-ha.

 

[petrus61]

If I'm comfortable with my levels in a given room, I set it 100%. Sometimes I'll start off with it backed off a hair, then pull it up when the guitars inevitably get louder. For the most part though, I leave it all the way up. I don't really enjoy the tone I get when I adjust the volume at the amp instead. It's always sounded a little anemic to me. Id rather have to turn down and have the volume on tap then have to boost my levels at the amp if I'm not loud enough.

 

[Modneato]

I only roll it off on gigs for the first few songs until I get my levels set. For everything else it's all the way up.

 

[Pudge Fish]

Am I alone thinking more P-basses should have a push/pull knob?
My modded P-5 is getting one. One pup, one knob. Set it and forget it!

 

[bassbenj]

I only roll it off on gigs for the first few songs until I get my levels set. For everything else it's all the way up.

I also do the 75%-80% at gigs to allow a bit of adjustment (especially when the bar owner runs the sound board, sets it and then is gone) But otherwise I just run full up.

 

[bassbully]

On/Off

 

[Antisyzygy]

It would be neat if you could get a volume knob with maybe 3-5 detents at evenly spaced intervals. It would give you some reference for volume presets in various conditions. I believe Mouser sells some that have like 11-30 detents but I'm not sure if some have less than that. Now if it was also a push-pull you could make it a kill switch and get the best of both worlds.

 

[petrus61]

Am I alone thinking more P-basses should have a push/pull knob?
My modded P-5 is getting one. One pup, one knob. Set it and forget it!

Or a stacked concentric

 

[bassrich]

i play with about 25- 75% when practicing but when live as much as needed up to 100%

 

[BawanaRik]

People expect to see a volume control on their basses. Randal probably told Leo they would be easier to sell with a volume control.

 

[Davo-London]

I use it a lot.

If we sound check then I set the amps and bass so that vol is 75%.

Then during the service or gig, when the drummer gets excited or the guitarist turns up you have some where to go to increase volume without messing about with your amp.

Davo

 

[fishdreams]

Only when I am practicing at home at night. At gigs all the way up, it only goes down for emergency purposes - to my ears, the tone suffers too much when it is rolled back.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Both, and sometimes neither.

Same here, it really depends on the song or instrumental that we play.... You know dynamics...

 

[Snaxster]

Around 75% knocks a tiny bit of the highs off, better than the tone control can do.

After reading all the replies until yours, I was surprised to have to wait so long for the "correct" answer.

To be clear, I'm talking about a traditional Fender Precision Bass. P basses with onboard preamps, newer pickup designs... these may behave otherwise.

For many years I have had the habit of rolling back the volume knob of a Precision Bass just a tiny bit; maybe an 1/8" or 3/16" back. The sound of a proper Precision pickup at full volume is distinctive in its increased midrange and treble output. Rolling back the bass's volume control attenuates that part of the spectrum enough to matter.

Once, hanging out in the old Nordstrand shop, I was playing my vintage Precision after Carey and Maurilio restored it. Carey noticed my setting its volume this way and asked about it. When I said why I did it, he said that he had another middle aged customer who did the same (I was pushing 50 at the time).

The player's age may inform the likelihood of their intentionally using this technique. I believe that in the current era of "cutting through the mix", bass pedalboards, and multiple preamps, some such nuances of traditional equipment are vanishing from knowledge.

 

[electracoyote]

On a P Bass, all the way up. On two-pickup basses, I'll blend to taste.

On a single pickup bass like a Precision, I have always been concerned that if I backed off the volume on the bass I wouldn't be sending the best, fullest signal the pickup has to offer to the amp. I wonder if there is any truth to that.

 

[joebar]

After reading all the replies until yours, I was surprised to have to wait so long for the "correct" answer.

To be clear, I'm talking about a traditional Fender Precision Bass. P basses with onboard preamps, newer pickup designs... these may behave otherwise.

For many years I have had the habit of rolling back the volume knob of a Precision Bass just a tiny bit; maybe an 1/8" or 3/16" back. The sound of a proper Precision pickup at full volume is distinctive in its increased midrange and treble output. Rolling back the bass's volume control attenuates that part of the spectrum enough to matter.

Once, hanging out in the old Nordstrand shop, I was playing my vintage Precision after Carey and Maurilio restored it. Carey noticed my setting it's volume this way and asked about it. When I said why I did it, he said that he had another middle aged customer who did the same (I was pushing 50 at the time).

The player's age may inform the likelihood of their intentionally using this technique. I believe that in the current era of "cutting through the mix", bass pedalboards, and multiple preamps, some such nuances of traditional equipment are vanishing from knowledge.

I agree-

I believe the tone is in that last percentage of gain (at least in a passive bass). it also gives you the strongest signal to the board which again is important to a passive bass.

 

[Kmonk]

I always like a little gas in the tank so roll it to about 75% or so.

I have always played this way as well. That way, I have some room to increase the volume if I need to. A couple of years ago I read an article where Carol Kaye and several other session players also recommended keeping the volume at about 75%.