Alternate tone controls?

Natman

Natman

New member
Hey guys, I have been wondering about different passive tone controls than a low pass for some time.

I recently tried a passive midrange like the Rothstein with excellent results. It gives the impression of overwound pickups or I can scoop for more of a glassy Fender tone.

I also have both regular and modified TBX tone pots on 2 guitars and find them useful. It offers more treble which helps clear up humbuckers but when coil split, the 250k is more appropriate.

Since I have a new axe on the way with room for 3 pots, I am very tempted to experiment. In particular I might attempt the G&L passive treble/bass. One TBX and one midrange might be badass, another possibility is a Q-Filter.

Have you tried anything cool that adds versatility and stays toneful?
 
Last edited:
Re: Alternate tone controls?

Have an old 80s G&L with the same passive setup... Works pretty well, I just don't often feel like I need to roll off the bass with my amps.
 
Re: Alternate tone controls?

Natman said:
I also have both regular and modified TBX tone pots on 2 guitars and find them useful. It offers more treble which helps clear up humbuckers but when coil split, the 250k is more appropriate.
Click to expand...

Hey Natman; Could you elaborate a bit more on the TBX control? I'm particularly interested in how well the "bass" knob works. What do you use it on? Bridge, neck, HB'ers, single-coils, both, all? For example, does it really add some bass to a bridge pup?
 
Re: Alternate tone controls?

ArtieToo said:
Hey Natman; Could you elaborate a bit more on the TBX control? I'm particularly interested in how well the "bass" knob works. What do you use it on? Bridge, neck, HB'ers, single-coils, both, all? For example, does it really add some bass to a bridge pup?
Click to expand...

Ya, it's really just a bass cut per this site:
https://sites.google.com/site/phostenixwiringdiagrams/modified-tbx-tone-control

I have it in a Fender Performer, so it's a master control on both pickups. Short answer is no bass boost, it is cut only. I guess maybe as you add the 1 Meg pot in, your entire signal could benefit, including bass but I don't hear it that way. This wiring scheme is so subtle that I dropped it on my 2nd TBX (which is only modded for the smooth taper using 220k resistor). I just didn't often find myself wanting a bass cut very often (that is also why I am reluctant about the G&L PTB arrangement).

My midrange pot is homemade FWIW, so I don't have the detent (not gonna dish out $50 for ~$15 in parts!). I use it with a HSS set of Lace Gold Sensors. It really works beautifully to give added control onboard. Not as great as stepping on a Klone say, but definitely changes the character from polite to mean! If I could actually shift the frequency of midrange to cut, I'd be very happy. Definitely leaning towards this for my new axe...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top