OldGit Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) There's various passive tone "drop in" mods for Jazz and Precision basses. What do you think of them? Any experiences? [url="http://www.vimeo.com/1053204"]Varitone (Ebay) example[/url] Villex [url="http://eu.villex.com/"]http://eu.villex.com/[/url] [url="http://www.stellartone.com/Page.asp?NavID=147"]StellarTone ToneStyler[/url] Ooh! My tone knob goes up to 16!! Edited September 15, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Bueller... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 I built my own "varitone" years ago and won't bother again or with any of the commercially available items. I don't see much point in them when using a good back-line setup or when DI-ing into a panel or mixer. If you like doodling at home and playing around with different sounds then maybe they have some merit. I think the current trend seems to be moving away from items like these towards a good solid bass sound combined with a few pedals and a good amp. We all know most of the sound and dynamics comes from your own fingers anyway. I liken it to audio amps with all the bells and whistles we saw on them a few years ago...gimmicks and expensive ones at that. My audio amp has one volume control and a set of good castle speakers and whatever I play through it I never think " that needs more bass" or "that needs more treble" its a pity we can't get bass amps the same. I have always found too much tone control on a bass or an amp is there to correct an underlying weakness in the sound. Less is more.....now who said that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 [quote name='Prosebass' post='284867' date='Sep 16 2008, 11:29 AM']I built my own "varitone" years ago and won't bother again or with any of the commercially available items. I don't see much point in them when using a good back-line setup or when DI-ing into a panel or mixer. If you like doodling at home and playing around with different sounds then maybe they have some merit. I think the current trend seems to be moving away from items like these towards a good solid bass sound combined with a few pedals and a good amp. We all know most of the sound and dynamics comes from your own fingers anyway. I liken it to audio amps with all the bells and whistles we saw on them a few years ago...gimmicks and expensive ones at that. My audio amp has one volume control and a set of good castle speakers and whatever I play through it I never think " that needs more bass" or "that needs more treble" its a pity we can't get bass amps the same. I have always found too much tone control on a bass or an amp is there to correct an underlying weakness in the sound. Less is more.....now who said that ?[/quote] A P bass player like me I expect, though I do have a bunch of foot cotrolled stuff that changes the sound. But, the other side is the mass of knobs and controls and subtle options you get on an active bass, and the many players who replied "yes, lots" to the "who uses their tone controls?" thread. Your view is valid if you have your own signature sound but if you play in a covers band and have to make a sound that's close to each orginal rekkerd, you need a few more otions than high filter off/high filter on that your P bass gives you .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 [quote name='EBS_freak' post='284866' date='Sep 16 2008, 11:29 AM']Bueller...[/quote] I googled but to no avail. Odd number of referrences to Ferris Bueller's Day off in talkbass threads though ... So more info, maybe a link please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='284909' date='Sep 16 2008, 12:05 PM']A P bass player like me I expect, though I do have a bunch of foot cotrolled stuff that changes the sound. But, the other side is the mass of knobs and controls and subtle options you get on an active bass, and the many players who replied "yes, lots" to the "who uses their tone controls?" thread. Your view is valid if you have your own signature sound but if you play in a covers band and have to make a sound that's close to each orginal rekkerd, you need a few more otions than high filter off/high filter on that your P bass gives you ..[/quote] Very valid point that I failed to mention. But I have a thing about "covers" bands so thats probably why But surely if you did mainly covers you wouldn't use a bass with a signature sound as that in itself would cause problems ? and why then go to the bother of trying to make it sound different ? Would it not be better to buy an active bass with a wide tonal range to start with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 [quote name='Prosebass' post='284992' date='Sep 16 2008, 01:45 PM']Very valid point that I failed to mention. But I have a thing about "covers" bands so thats probably why But surely if you did mainly covers you wouldn't use a bass with a signature sound as that in itself would cause problems ? and why then go to the bother of trying to make it sound different ? Would it not be better to buy an active bass with a wide tonal range to start with.[/quote] Just looking at the passive, drop-in, no battery holes, possibilities and how good they may be .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='284999' date='Sep 16 2008, 01:51 PM']Just looking at the passive, drop-in, no battery holes, possibilities and how good they may be ..[/quote] I'll get me coat...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='284914' date='Sep 16 2008, 12:07 PM']I googled but to no avail. Odd number of referrences to Ferris Bueller's Day off in talkbass threads though ... So more info, maybe a link please?[/quote] [url="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/quotes"]http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/quotes[/url] the teacher is taking the register and calls Bueller out several times with pauses [quote][b][i]Economics Teacher:[/i][/b] Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? [b][i]Simone:[/i][/b] Um, he's sick. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious. [b][i]Economics Teacher:[/i][/b] Thank you, Simone [b][i]Simone:[/i][/b] No problem whatsoever.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 [quote name='Prosebass' post='285002' date='Sep 16 2008, 01:53 PM']I'll get me coat...... [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.