Tone Control?...I don't need no stinkin' tone control!

[Not_Shane]

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.

View attachment 5338539

you're outta control.

 

[StereoPlayer]

 

[mambo4]

I haven't put batteries in my Lull MV4 for almost a decade - I run passive.
I leave my tone knob wide open and use technique for varitation.

 

[Geri O]

I'm waiting for the guy who's such a purist he forgoes tone controls, volume controls, and the output jack. Anyone that brave?

You know he’s out there….

 

[fourstringdrums]

Timothy Schmit had a signature Carvin with only a volume.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I love the ease and simplicity of a minimalist bass. I’ve been playing primarily basses with tapped pu’s and no controls since 1982. I’m very comfortable that way.
Tone is either controlled by technique or an adjustment on the amp.

 

[groooooove]

my first encounter with a yamaha attitude bass turned me on to the value of no-tone basses.

i just recently had one removed from one of my 6 strings. one big old humbucker, a series/single/parallel switch, and volume.

i like it very much.

 

[DJ Bebop]

That is one of the coolest basses on TB! YMMV, IMO…ETC.ETC.ETC…

 

[DJ Bebop]

I haven't put batteries in my Lull MV4 for almost a decade - I run passive.
I leave my tone knob wide open and use technique for varitation.

I've done the same with my Carvin Bunny Brunel 5 string. So it's just volume and blend for the two jazz type pick ups.

 

[jglunt]

Timothy Schmit had a signature Carvin with only a volume.

That's what first caught my attention in a no-tone-control bass, though sadly, he doesn't play it much anymore. There is a beautiful one for sale on Reverb at a reasonable price for a made in the USA bass. (No affiliation.)

 

[jglunt]

Switches only.
View attachment 5338509

Interesting bass! Cool cat.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I'm waiting for the guy who's such a purist he forgoes tone controls, volume controls, and the output jack. Anyone that brave?

Built in Wireless? Good idea! Only need on / off button!

 

[micguy]

With my Kay M-1 upright.

We have a winner!

Your prize is a gig with a Skynyrd Tribute band. 3 guitarists with full Marshall stacks, and you on an upright without any amplification.

Enjoy.

 

[micguy]

View attachment 5338628

Built in Wireless? Good idea! Only need on / off button!

There were guitars with built in wireless at one point - Nady was involved, I think. The challenge with that ius that wireless tech (and the bands where you can use them) change every few years - if you hogged out your '59 Les Paul for a wireless the first year you could do that, you'd have changed the transmitter a dozen times since then - the thing would be a compete hack job by now.

 

[Ryan X Decent]

I'm waiting for the guy who's such a purist he forgoes tone controls, volume controls, and the output jack. Anyone that brave?

Ah yes, the Sid Vicious mod

 

[/\/\3phist0]

There were guitars with built in wireless at one point - Nady was involved, I think. The challenge with that ius that wireless tech (and the bands where you can use them) change every few years - if you hogged out your '59 Les Paul for a wireless the first year you could do that, you'd have changed the transmitter a dozen times since then - the thing would be a compete hack job by now.

Seriously? The transmitters are tiny at this point! As small as a preamp board. Point agreed ,“in the past” but this is here and now.
800 watt amps the side and weight of a paperback etc.

 

[micguy]

Ah yes, the Sid Vicious mod

There are a lot of bands that would sound better if one of the guitarists' instruments didn't have output jacks.

 

[5StringBlues]

I've got a couple basses wired straight to the jack, but it really doesn't matter.




I run the volume and tone controls on passive basses full on at all times.



The only time a tone control is touched? Brand new strings.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I mean… it is nice to have something to turn when the lead singer is talking to the crowd.

But why not just leave a knob there disconnected so folks don’t know your secret?

 

[jglunt]

I mean… it is nice to have something to turn when the lead singer is talking to the crowd.

But why not just leave a knob there disconnected so folks don’t know your secret?

A dummy knob is perfect for when the guitarist tells you to turn down. Just show him that you're "adjusting" the volume and play on!