Below are two of my basses that I've modified greatly. The first is a G&L SB-2, which comes without a tone control (or used to, anyway). I modified it to use only a single volume control which is also a push/pull switch so I can run the pickups in parallel or series with one another. Once I established that I liked that arrangement, I had a new pickguard made for it. The second is a radically modded NS Design WAV4. It started its life as an active bass. I converted it to passive by stripping all the marginal-sounding electronics out of it, putting in a Lace Alumibar pickup (no affiliation), and simply using a volume control only. I have GHS Pressurewound strings on both basses, and both sound amazing. (Please forgive the oddly-sized pics.) Is there anybody else out there brave enough to go volume-only?
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Tone Control?...I don't need no stinkin' tone control!
- Thread starter jglunt
- Start date
Sure. I'd just insert a capacitor that gives me that 4/5-rolled-off tone permanently.
My SB-2 is stock V-V. It's a little much with SS rounds, but LTFs are perfect. I'm not opposed to a tone control, but I've never gotten around to installing one.
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My SB-2 (2007) began its life V-V, but I really prefer basses with a single volume control. For a while, I wired the individual volumes to concentric pots, then on to a master volume. That worked well, but I like this new arrangement better. The pickups sound huge in series. With this bass, I've always dedicated myself to the idea that Leo created a bass that didn't need a tone control.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,016
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- 31,730
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
I have zero use for a passive tone control. I like active tone circuits, but I never use them to roll off treble. I love the clank!
I agree. I have several basses with active EQs. I'm not much for passive tone controls and normally just play with them wide open. So going to volume-only made sense.
No Controls.
Volume only.
Volume only.
Volume only in side panel.
Volume only in side panel.
Hi Mapleglo. You build the most beautiful basses! And you, in fact, are the one who inspired me to try no tone control on that bass with the Lace Alumibar, so thank you! Great tone and amazing simplicity.
I'm waiting for the guy who's such a purist he forgoes tone controls, volume controls, and the output jack. Anyone that brave?
1 pickup, a mode switch, two tone controls (one for each mode - the modes have different loading caps and different tone circuits), and a volume control. A control to pickup ratio of 4. I don't belong in this thread at all.
I did something like that 50 years ago. Just volume for each pick up and a phase switch each for the jazz and p pick ups.
The "tone" came from blending the pick ups or not.
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That is one of the coolest basses on TB! YMMV, IMO…ETC.ETC.ETC…I did something like that 50 years ago. Just volume for each pick up and a phase switch for the jazz and p pick ups.
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The "tone" came from blending the pick ups or not.
Love it. My ideal bass would be like Nikki Sixx's signature - no volume, no tone, just an on/off switch.
I use my tone controll on my P-bass all the time.
