What do you think of a tone knob that functions while active mode?

[Aloe]

just pointing out for the internet info searches that a typical passive tone option is totally doable even with any active blend control

on any preamp? like audere? this definitely won't be something, I'd recommend doing to strangers on the internet

 

[SharpCat]

I have found that turning down the treble on the onboard preamp of a bass is nowhere near the same as turning down the tone knob on a Precision or Jazz

Yeah, I pretty much got outvoted, huh?

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I have an Audere that is; Vol/Blend - B/T and Passive Tone.

I've got it in a Tony Franklin and I love it.
The stereo front-end allows for better blending (the one setting I dislike most on PJs is both PUs full).
Usually leave the B/T flat (passive mode)- especially when mostly full on the "P", but when you lean on the bridge J PU, having a bit of bass boost is great.

 

[PJsaure]

On case you are concerned bout losing too much high end in active mode, you can so use no-load pot (or modify a standard potentiometer, it’s fairly simple). When a no-load pot is fully clockwise, it has infinite resistance, effectively taking the tone circuit out of the equation.

 

[sunbeast]

on any preamp? like audere? this definitely won't be something, I'd recommend doing to strangers on the internet

Sure- perhaps on an Audere Z-mode preamp specifically (maybe the only problematic example out there) it might cause some noise issues in certain switch settings if you send the tone control grounds to the output ground rather than signal - preamp connections (should work fine the other way though if I understand correctly the way Audere works, could be wrong there but won't cause any harm to try and Audere guy is quite responsive in my experience).

 

[mcnach]

I think you got your question across fine.

I totally see the need for a tone knob in passive mode (my player plus PJ does not have this and I miss it), but can you not just turn down the treble and a bit of mids to achieve the same result as a tone knob in active mode? I would argue that it's not needed. But don't let that stop you--it's your bass!

You don't get the same effect.

The passive tone control has a little 'bump' just above the frequency at which starts to roll off seriously. That's why a typical active treble control doesn't quite sound the same. Not better or worse, different. That's why I like to have both. First a passive one, then the preamp+EQ

 

[fishdreams]

We did this on my Martin Keith 6 stringer, and it works fantastic. Bottom stacked knobs is active low/high EQ. Top stacked knobs is passive tone/volume.

 

[eddododo]

I’ve been working on a preamp and wiring scheme for a bass I’m building, and volume/blend/tone that function exactly the same active and passive are a key non-negotiable to me

 

[Chris Wilke]

John East J-Retro preamp has a passive tone version that is always-on in both active and passive. I find it very useful on a J bass.

 

[Fuzzbass]

On a Sadowsky, the eq sections are boost only - "flat" is with them "off". If you want to turn down the treble, you absolutely need a passive tone control on a Sadowsky - the preamp can't do that.

True. But I have some actives with cut/boost controls, and requested passive tone on those as well. When I want warm vintage tone, the passive cut usually works better than active treble cut. And I have the option of new tone curves by boosting active treble and cutting passive tone.

 

[Luther]

My Sire P7 2nd Gen has this feature.