Oh ok ok, I get ya'...
Thought it had to do with me installing the wrong type of pot, but i bought it as a "wiring kit"...I use a Sansamp PBDDI, so I'm covered. Thats why I read that a lot of folks max the volume out.
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Oh ok ok, I get ya'...
Thought it had to do with me installing the wrong type of pot, but i bought it as a "wiring kit"...I use a Sansamp PBDDI, so I'm covered. Thats why I read that a lot of folks max the volume out.
You said you changed the pickups and the pots, correct? You didn't say which pickups you installed instead. It's possible the replacement pickups have lower output than the stock ones. It's also possible that the pot has a different value. It won't change the overall volume but it might affect the taper of the pot ie whether the volume change is small or drastic from when you turn up or down. If you bought a kit, it's probably a 250K ohm pot with an audio taper which is correct.
As far as having volume maxed, there are no hard and fast rules. It's a personal preference. Some people like to run everything maxed, others like to back off so they have more control at the bass. PBass will sound fine with the volume backed off a bit and you can make up the gain at other places in the signal chain - pedal, preamp or amp input if you need to.
As far as having volume maxed, there are no hard and fast rules. It's a personal preference. Some people like to run everything maxed, others like to back off so they have more control at the bass. PBass will sound fine with the volume backed off a bit and you can make up the gain at other places in the signal chain - pedal, preamp or amp input if you need to.
This is also correct. I wrote my prior post under the assumption that the signal chain involved was simple plug & play, as it was during my (80's) days of P-bass primacy. I liked having my volume slightly backed off, and my tone control at about 4/10, until I really started to learn more about what makes good tone, and how do I get there. Why it took me over a quarter-century to get into the virtues of a pedal preamp is beyond me, but I just love the instant versatility that it gives me, and how it can make just about any instrument deliver "my" sound, through my rig.
I remember hearing somewhere that if you roll off your volume a little bit you get to cut a bit of the treble. I always use both atop anyways
I remember hearing somewhere that if you roll off your volume a little bit you get to cut a bit of the treble. I always use both atop anyways
Well, I did change the stock pickup to a "vintage correct wounded" Curtis Novak. It's lovely, but probably the output is lower than the stocker.
Pots are part of a "p bass wiring kit" as I said earlier. So the pots are the right ones to use.
Could be the combination of the pickup and flats?
I have a Short Scale Squier Jaguar, that I have to roll the volume under half way, or it's TOO loud! Thats why I ask.
There are many signal chain variables to consider. Yes, newer pickups are often "hotter" than ones wound to vintage spec. Yes, not maxing the volume means some treble loss, and that's before you may be cutting it further with use of a passive tone control. Ultimately, it's a trial and error methodology that everyone must employ on the journey to finding "their" sound.
Jeez, I almost speak of finding your sound as if it were some sort of spiritual quest; finding your own sonic nirvana.
Also, don't forget one other thing: What sounds great in your bedroom or practice space might leave a full band mix wanting for something more from you. I had to learn to keep a bit more treble and "clank" to my stage sound, so that I would cut through the mix better, as it was always hard for me to trust the sound guy. Even now, I still have a hard time trusting the sound guy. For St Paddy's, I stopped him dead in his tracks, during set-up, saying that I would plug in my own balanced DI (which I promptly inserted into my pedal preamp, taking a second output from my stereo chorus directly to my amp). He commended my sound, after the set, and me for having the ability to take charge of it.
Finding "your" sound really does feel like a graduation, of sorts; you have gained some wisdom along the way, and you are, at last, ready to put it to work for you.
Good luck.
Jeez, I almost speak of finding your sound as if it were some sort of spiritual quest; finding your own sonic nirvana.
Also, don't forget one other thing: What sounds great in your bedroom or practice space might leave a full band mix wanting for something more from you. I had to learn to keep a bit more treble and "clank" to my stage sound, so that I would cut through the mix better, as it was always hard for me to trust the sound guy. Even now, I still have a hard time trusting the sound guy. For St Paddy's, I stopped him dead in his tracks, during set-up, saying that I would plug in my own balanced DI (which I promptly inserted into my pedal preamp, taking a second output from my stereo chorus directly to my amp). He commended my sound, after the set, and me for having the ability to take charge of it.
Finding "your" sound really does feel like a graduation, of sorts; you have gained some wisdom along the way, and you are, at last, ready to put it to work for you.
Good luck.
Cool! Thanks for the awesome tip!
I experimented a couple hours ago with the sound of the volume pot maxed out, and controlled with the Sansamp. I like it...kinda harsh for "bedroom" setting, but I think it'll cut through the mix when played live!
Never underestimate the power of recording your rehearsals and gigs. You'll gain a lot of takeaways about your sound, playing, etc. They are the ultimate form of band QC, in the early goings. I still schlep my old 4-track cassette machine to some gigs; 1 channel from the mains, another from the monitors, a third from an ambient room mic, and the 4th from whatever DI that I am not using (or, a 2nd mains channel, if it's a larger gig). Sometimes, I strike gold, and get something worthy of some post-production and online publication. Today's DIY tools are beyond yesterday's pro-grade tools; it is just a matter of getting what you need, and using it to the max potential.
Cool! Thanks for the awesome tip!
I experimented a couple hours ago with the sound of the volume pot maxed out, and controlled with the Sansamp. I like it...kinda harsh for "bedroom" setting, but I think it'll cut through the mix when played live!
This is something I learned later in life that works for me and, maybe for me only
is this:When it sounds good to me in the bedroom, it sounds like crap in a band setting and,
when it sounds like crap to me in the bedroom (too middy, harsh, that sort of thing) is sounds good IN A BAND setting
YMMV
Peace
My band turned our rehearsal space into a makeshift studio. We record everything we rehearse, and later that night after a rehearsal, the guitarist emails everyone the tracks so we can hear what we did.
OK, we're overdue for a pic in this thread. I have removed the Harley Quinn decal from the black pickguard, but admit it, she's not the gal yer lookin' at anyway, here.
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No apologies for using a pick here, either; I do it maybe 15% of the time, if the song calls for that kind of attack.
Link Removed
No apologies for using a pick here, either; I do it maybe 15% of the time, if the song calls for that kind of attack.
Nice looking bass. Why apologize for using a pick? Never hear anyone apologizing for slapping instead of playing fingerstyle. Serve the song.
I love the vintage frets on both my CV 60's J (pictured above; singerbabe not included with purchase), and my VM Jaguar. I have the action set rather low, as well; I can fly on both necks. There's a bit of slap in my playing too; whatever the material needs.
I have ALWAYS loved the treble on my signal. Lately I've been digging further into my setup and found that my personal favourite EQ when using a single amp is boosting the bass about +6Db, mids flat (I went through both a no-mids and a full-on mids phase some years ago and found the sweet spot in my own attack) and treble slightly boosted around +3Db.This is something I learned later in life that works for me and, maybe for me only
When it sounds good to me in the bedroom, it sounds like crap in a band setting and, when it sounds like crap to me in the bedroom (too middy, harsh, that sort of thing) is sounds good IN A BAND setting
YMMV
Peace
When I bi-amp, well, that's another story
Ahh, we meet again Black Velvet songstress
PS: I think I play with a pick around 60% of the times, so... eff it
Here's the best part; I gotta go play a gig with her, unplugged-style, in a matter of a few minutes.
Does she play the pictured violin? Nice bass too. I've been jonesing for a jazz again myself...
Yes, she fiddles, but is reluctant to allow a pickup installation. It has more to do with confidence, than anything else. The violin takes a more prominent role in acoustic trio gigs. Yes, that's my CV Jazz, too.
does my Matt Freeman sign count as a CV? if does, i'll post some pics soon. she's gettin quarter pounders and some steel dunlop strings today 
MF's do count as CV's in here it seems!does my Matt Freeman sign count as a CV? if does, i'll post some pics soon. she's gettin quarter pounders and some steel dunlop strings today
Mmmmm, quarter pounders on a Split-Coil
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