TBX Bass Cut mod improvement?

[Brett Valentine]

For any of those who remember, I installed the TBX bass cut mod on a couple of my guitars. I could never figure out how to smooth out the bass cut as it all occurred between 5 and 6 on the pot. I remembered the thread and rooted around and found Doc's mod to improve the TBX's original function and smooth out the "air" on top..
http://blueguitar.org/tbx_doc.gif
http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9614&sid=e54176dc5d3efe0e3b9fa0f4c81bc132

It just occurred to me that adding the 200K resistor should have the same effect on the bass cut mod. As it is 4:20 in the morning (and I don't have a spare 220K resistor handy), I don't think I'll be pulling out the soldering iron right now.

Anyway, here's the diagram of the combined mods. Basically, I'm just adding the resistor to the Bass cut mod.

(NOTE: After looking at it, I realized I didn't draw it right so I corrected it according to my guitar wiring)

Has anyone tried this already, and does it smooth out the bass cut? Hopefully, I'll be able to try this today or tomorrow.

 

[Brett Valentine]

Re: TBX Bass Cut mod improvement?

Okay, I tried it. The change is basically pretty subtle. Where the bass attenuation came on almost instantly, the transition is a bit smoother, allowing for a little more levels of adjustment rather than basically "full - cut."

Not a large amount of change, but a little bit better. I think it is just the taper of the 1 Meg section of the TBX pot.

 

[ErikH]

Re: TBX Bass Cut mod improvement?

The closer to 250k you can get that resistor, the smoother the transition will be. The TBX in my '94 Am. Std. Strat is wired up just like Doc's mod and I love it. I'm using a 220k resistor and it's really smooth going through the detent position.

 

[Brett Valentine]

Re: TBX Bass Cut mod improvement?

Thanks Erik,

Doc's mod is going on my Strat when I rewire the harness. As for the combination of mods, it's not the success I was looking for. Since I had the Brian Moore which was wired up in the same manner (both with a PG in the bridge), I was able to do a comparison. While the i21 was more aggressive than the Hamer SATF, I could tell that I had lost the immediate clarity of the top end once the pot hits 5. It was more of a gradual brightening that didn't hit it's maximum till the opt was on 10, and even then, it didn't have the crisp top end snap.

I removed the resistor, and the clarity immediately returned and the two guitars once again sounded very similar (i21 a bit more aggressive, and the SATF just a bit smoother).