Which bass has YOUR ideal knob/switch setup and why?

[billiam5billion]

There's another thread going today about the most versatile bass, and there's an interesting sub-argument about simplicity vs complexity in control setup.

What do you prefer and why? Pics are always welcome, of course.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Master Volume, past that I'm not too particular. But simpler the better.

 

[Batmensch]

One Volume, one tone, one pickup (I'm talking P-bass, of course). Simple, yet eminently versatile.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Now that I think about it, I do have two fave passive setups:

For a single pickup bass: Master Volume pot, one tone pot, one mini switch to remove the tone pot from the circuit, so I can toggle between a nice pre-set tone with just enough bite in it to be articulate and wide-open for cutting through phrases.

For two-pickup basses, Master volume, one tone pot, mini-DPDT switch to toggle between series and parallel. Did this to my Jazz, and immediately liked it a LOT more than the two-volume, one tone thing with it's weird quirks.

Two pots, one switch, that's all.

 

[Porkbun]

On this one its pickup select, volume, and then treble, middle, bass.
My ESP F205 has the same setup but seems to have a tone knob, pickup select, and then treble, middle, bass. I just have to keep turning knobs to get any sound I could ever want.

 

[spade2you]

I have this

and this

I don't have problems switching between these basses and I'm quite content.

 

[Marton]

One Volume, one tone, one pickup (I'm talking P-bass, of course). Simple, yet eminently versatile.

+1

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Two pickups, series/parallels switch, selectable coils, 4-band Noll EQ, preamp bypass, passive tone, and two volume controls.

 

[Clark Dark]

I have this

That's beauty !!!!

 

[mongo2]

None. I often bypass/eschew all controls.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I've often thought of doing that, just lose the onboard stuff altogether.

However, my playing technique finds the volume knob quite useful, it would be hard to lose that...I'd probably cheat and put a volume pedal inline.

 

[AmazingAmpharos]

Kubicki Ex Factor, hands down. Effective, and only as complex as it needs to be to give you perfect on board tonal balance, yet be accessable. Phil REALLY hit the spot with that baby.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

What is the Kubicki control configuration?

 

[AmazingAmpharos]

Volume/blend, bass/treble pots, and six position rotary switch, you are provided with three pre-set passive, two fully adjustable active tone circuits and a standby mode, giving you all the tones you want.

 

[lmfreeman9]

G&L L-1000 the ultimate evolution of the Precision bass. Invented by Leo Fender in 1980.
Passive controls. Volume, Treble cut, bass cut. Coil tap switch. Humbucker, single coil and single coil with bass boost.

 

[doktorfeelgood]

Now that I think about it, I do have two fave passive setups:

For a single pickup bass: Master Volume pot, one tone pot, one mini switch to remove the tone pot from the circuit, so I can toggle between a nice pre-set tone with just enough bite in it to be articulate and wide-open for cutting through phrases.

For two-pickup basses, Master volume, one tone pot, mini-DPDT switch to toggle between series and parallel. Did this to my Jazz, and immediately liked it a LOT more than the two-volume, one tone thing with it's weird quirks.

Two pots, one switch, that's all.

Wow... I like that idea for my Jazz bass. Hafta seriously consider that one. Would you happen to have a wiring diagram for that set-up that you'd be willing to share...? I'd greatly appreciate it. THX )-(

 

[Iridescentone]

I like the setup on my 4401. Pretty standard configuration. Vol / pan / bass / mid / treble.

The push-pull/active-passive vol knob maintains the exact same volume in either mode. In passive mode, it sounds identical to active mode set 'flat'.

I always use passive mode, tonal changes via the pan knob. Very effective. Everything is voiced perfectly for me, and the layout is very intuitive. And the 3-band is there if I want it.

 

[dabbler]

OK, caveats first, I have only played/owned a limited number of configs, and I like passive tone. My favs are:

1. Active - I LOVE my Audere setup, master volume, pup blend, bass, mid, treble and the Z switch! That switch makes it like having 3 basses!

2. Passive - OK, I'm traditional, 2 vols, master tone... and series/parallel switch. A blend control might be just as good, but I've never played a passive bass with a blend.

 

[SwingTimePunk]

I like as few controls as possible. I'm a very uncluttered player, and I like the natural sounds of a bass. Even when I do play distorted, it's an organic effect, not an artificial process. Plus, I don't want to step out of the moment to remember which control does what when. I want to focus on the music and what I want to play in it. So just a volume, tone is optional, if 2 pups then a blend is ok. BTW, I also keep a very simple rig.

 

[Maestro & Muse]

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I "built" this one (from parts, hence the quotes), and designed the circuit. It's not much, but it gets done what I need.

The circuit is my 'coarse/fine' set up. It's a master volume, master tone, varitone. The Varitone allows me to adjust the tone at a coarse capacitor level (with a true bypass), and the master tone is a no-load tone control that adjusts with a warmer, 0.047mf PIO cap. When all caps are out of the circuit, it's bright and jangly. You can darken it, too, to a nice upright sound.

I also have this on my PJ fretless, with 2 master volumes and a 3 way toggle in addition to the varitone and master tone control.

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