This is my first post. I got a 2024 Sterling Joe dart bass last year and have been loving it. My only slight dislike is that I wish it had a tone knob. First and for most, should I do it, Should I install a tone knob(fyi i have all parts and tools needed)? Secondly, if i do install the tone knob, would a Fender P bass tone knob work for this bass. I believe it would as they are both passive humbucker basses but please let me know if not!
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Should I add a tone knob to my Joe dart bass?
- Thread starter syhrrhys139
- Start date
I wouldn't drill a hole but you could install a stacked pot.
Do you use your volume knob or do you always run the bass set to full volume? If you run it set to full volume, I would not bother with a stacked pot. I would just switch to a push/pull tone knob/kill switch setup. Keeps stock look and achieves the tone knob addition while still allowing you to mute when needed.
If you want to leave the bass untouched, could just put a tone pot in a project box with an input and output jack.
A box like this.
Could also have a couple different caps in there that are switchable, or a varitone.
Just slap in on top your amp and put in in the chain.
I'm rewiring a bass soon that I might just wire the pups straight to the jack and build a tone pot box myself.
A box like this.
Could also have a couple different caps in there that are switchable, or a varitone.
Just slap in on top your amp and put in in the chain.
I'm rewiring a bass soon that I might just wire the pups straight to the jack and build a tone pot box myself.
Last edited:
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Funny post - I know some players prefer that but I personally wouldn't own a bass w/o a tone pot. Once I set my amp I don't touch it during a gig. But I do dial in my tone during a gig depending on the song by utilizing the volume pot(s) and the tone pot(s). If you plan on keeping the bass - do what you wish with it, it's your bass. You should use the same (250k or 500k) pot as your volume pot and the cap is your call. Standards are .022uf and .047uf but others can be used.
Well...
First of all; it's your bass. Feel free to do as much - or as little - to it, as your heart desires.
Next; I'm wondering why you bought a bass that's like the one Joe Dart plays; i.e., one that specifically doesn't have a tone pot, if you think you need one? You could have bought exactly the same bass that did have one - and probably for less, since it wasn't a "signature" bass.
Still; you do you... Personally? I like the stacked knob pot idea...
First of all; it's your bass. Feel free to do as much - or as little - to it, as your heart desires.
Next; I'm wondering why you bought a bass that's like the one Joe Dart plays; i.e., one that specifically doesn't have a tone pot, if you think you need one? You could have bought exactly the same bass that did have one - and probably for less, since it wasn't a "signature" bass.
Still; you do you... Personally? I like the stacked knob pot idea...
No you should not.
Mr. Dart doesn't need it and neither do you.
Mr. Dart doesn't need it and neither do you.
only cause it’s semi collectible, i’d suggest maybe finding another bass with control, but if you don’t care and want it, i’d go for it
Its a cheap bass, do what it takes to maximize your enjoyment of it!
I would simply swap the volume pot for a tone pot but that’s just me lol
I've always been tempted to get one of these, but I would most definitely swap for a stacked volume/tone if I ever got one, so I say go for it.
What is the appeal of not having a tone knob? If you want to run the tone up all the way, you can do that and just leave the knob alone. If you ever need to use the knob, it's there. There are no-load pots if that's your concern.
Why is leaning down over the pedalboard or going over to the amp better? If the answer is "well I can just set it on the board and forget it" you can do that with a tone knob as well... Being able to make on the fly adjustments doesn't seem to have any shortcomings.
Just not sure why a person would want to be without something so basic. Maybe we don't need a volume knob either then?
Why is leaning down over the pedalboard or going over to the amp better? If the answer is "well I can just set it on the board and forget it" you can do that with a tone knob as well... Being able to make on the fly adjustments doesn't seem to have any shortcomings.
Just not sure why a person would want to be without something so basic. Maybe we don't need a volume knob either then?
First of all, if you're planning on drilling a hole to add a tone knob, you are obviously altering the look of the bass. If you plan on keeping it forever, not a big deal, but if you ever want to trade or sell it, that little modification will likely reduce the value of the bass.
If you want to avoid drilling a second hole, then you already have 3 great suggestions listed above, depending on how much (or if) you use your volume knob:
1. Get a concentric stacked pot
2. Get a push/pull or pot to use as a tone knob and on/off switch; or
3. Just convert the volume knob to a tone knob (this is what I did with my Precision Bass Junior, and I find that I don't miss the volume knob at all).
Whichever route you choose, one of the prior posts was correct about values: your pot should be 250K or 500K ohms (the latter will be slightly brighter when fully turned up), and your capacitor will be either .044uf or .022uf (the latter will be slightly brighter).
Have fun! That's a great bass you have.
If you want to avoid drilling a second hole, then you already have 3 great suggestions listed above, depending on how much (or if) you use your volume knob:
1. Get a concentric stacked pot
2. Get a push/pull or pot to use as a tone knob and on/off switch; or
3. Just convert the volume knob to a tone knob (this is what I did with my Precision Bass Junior, and I find that I don't miss the volume knob at all).
Whichever route you choose, one of the prior posts was correct about values: your pot should be 250K or 500K ohms (the latter will be slightly brighter when fully turned up), and your capacitor will be either .044uf or .022uf (the latter will be slightly brighter).
Have fun! That's a great bass you have.
Option 2 sounds amazing, i have never thought of that before. I only use the volume knob at 0% and 100%, next 1 pickup passive bass i build is for sure going this way
I would also recommend adding a potentiometer along with the knob.
