Which direction should jazz bass knobs face?

[Shaky]

Allow me to be the first helpful response: when all the way up, all my knobs point toward the upper horn, 180º from the input jack.

I have mine set like this also. Because I play in my church band which requires me to turn my volume down between songs, I can glance down as I roll the volume back up and when I see the mark on the edge of the knob pointing straight up this is my normal volume setting I play at when the sound is right, but when I need more volume I still have a little more room to go.

P.S. I am thinking about installing some pots that go to eleven.

 

[Jason P Bass]

I personally have no experience adjusting this setting on a jazz bass.

I'm waiting for the follow-up thread about P basses to share my insight.

 

[onlyoneZ]

Momma always said it is not polite to point.

 

[Disraeli Gears]

I made note of this last time I played a jazz bass with normal knobs (mine has 1960 style stacked knobs, so they're a different story), but I have since forgotten. Thus, my answer is, they should face east in the morning and west in the evening so as to be aligned with the sun. And of course, they should face straight up in the air at noon.

 

[Bijoux]

mine are at the 5 oclock position when looking at the bass from the front. ten oclock if im looking down. and out is probably the best advice you will get all day. if they arnt out, it doesnt matter where they point.

true, and if they arent out the bass wont sound as good either!

 

[BassBob185]

everything full on

 

[Bijoux]

that's why my knobs don't have any notches or anything ... too many variables to think about

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

..........................

 

[Jim C]

Towards Fullerton, CA which is difficult if you move around a lot; ask any pro player; they'll tell you the same

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

Jaco only needed... uh... he didn't need knobs?

 

[Bijoux]

I hope you guys realize that all this discussion is useless unless the tuning gears are all straight and parallel to the fingerboard, just like on the factory pics.
There! somebody had to say it!
OMG! this thread is gonna go on forever! lol

 

[SwamiRob]

relative to what?

bass in playing position, from audience perspective?

Stage East of course!..... God I'm pathetic...

 

[Engine207]

Allow me to be the first helpful response: when all the way up, all my knobs point toward the upper horn, 180º from the input jack.

I'm not sure if there's an official "Fender" spec on that, and I don't remember how my basses were before I changed them.

This was discussed in the "Geddy's Tone" thread a few months back with reference to Geddy's basses. He indicated that he dimes everything, all the time. I posted some photos of the knobs all facing the same way on each bass, but varying between his basses. I would have thought that he'd have Russ re-align the knobbage such that they're at the same consistant "o'clock" position, but that's not the case.

I am also a "full on" guy, so I've adjusted mine to all point "12 o'clock" when they're dimed. This way, I can look down and be sure I haven't rolled them off by accident, no matter which of my basses I'm playing.

But I'm OCD...

 

[bickele]

Mine are always towards the audience unless the drummer messes up.

b.

 

[sundaybender]

Quick question: Is there a standard direction that the knobs on a jazz bass should face?

Yes.

 

[Vic Winters]

Towards your dangle. That way the ladies know where the party's at.

 

[bspot]

It really depends on if you are north or south of the equator...

 

[Vic Winters]

It really depends on if you are north or south of the equator...

I heard the knobs turn the opposite way in Australia.

 

[Jason P Bass]

I heard the knobs turn the opposite way in Australia.

Presuming you're not in Australia, you have the most sensitive ears on the internet, sir. Maybe I've been standing too close to the amps, but I can hardly hear the knobs turn from across the room.

 

[TC2112]

Towards your dangle. That way the ladies know where the party's at.

word