Lazarus1140
New member
What is your preferences for a two humbucker guitar, and what do you see as an advantage or disadvantage of one or the other system?
Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
- Thread starter Lazarus1140
- Start date
Ayrton
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
With as many options that exist today to shape one's tone, the need for two separate volumes and tones is moot for most players.
My Gibsons have them sure, but I would never go looking for such a setup. Single volume, and single tone unless it is a strat works just fine for me. I wire T2 on a strat to the bridge.
With as many options that exist today to shape one's tone, the need for two separate volumes and tones is moot for most players.
My Gibsons have them sure, but I would never go looking for such a setup. Single volume, and single tone unless it is a strat works just fine for me. I wire T2 on a strat to the bridge.
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
2 tones and 2 volumes offer methods of tone shaping available nowhere else.
Nowhere else in the chain can you change the whole pickup resonant peak the way you can with volume pot values.
Nowhere else can you easily swap in different caps to make your tone controls more tuned toward pickup position.
Nowhere else can you slip in a tone circuit lift for 1 pickup only (no load).
2 tones and 2 volumes offer methods of tone shaping available nowhere else.
Nowhere else in the chain can you change the whole pickup resonant peak the way you can with volume pot values.
Nowhere else can you easily swap in different caps to make your tone controls more tuned toward pickup position.
Nowhere else can you slip in a tone circuit lift for 1 pickup only (no load).
Lazarus1140
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
The thing that always frustrated me when I played a 335 is that in the middle position (both pickups activated) turning the volume up or down changes the tone.
The thing that always frustrated me when I played a 335 is that in the middle position (both pickups activated) turning the volume up or down changes the tone.
Lazarus1140
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
Well, any pickup turned up and down changes the tone. Of course in the 2V type you do have extra controls to manipulate for volume control its true......a matter of course if you look at it objectively.
Well, any pickup turned up and down changes the tone. Of course in the 2V type you do have extra controls to manipulate for volume control its true......a matter of course if you look at it objectively.
Nickmag01
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
I like to blend my bridge and neck pickup with the 2 volume setup. I can get a really creamy yet fuzzy tone when i run my neck at 10 and bridge at 5. I rarely use tone knobs for my setup and find them to be a nuisance as i keep having to check if they are turned up.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
I like to blend my bridge and neck pickup with the 2 volume setup. I can get a really creamy yet fuzzy tone when i run my neck at 10 and bridge at 5. I rarely use tone knobs for my setup and find them to be a nuisance as i keep having to check if they are turned up.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
BleedingFingertips
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
2x2 is useless for br00talz. If I had money for custom shop guitars, I would have all my guitars with 1 volume and no tone, regardless of whether it'd be a 1h or 2h guitar. Tone controls make the sound very intransparent and stifled, IMO. At most, I can live with 1 vol and 1 tone with no-load function.
2x2 is useless for br00talz. If I had money for custom shop guitars, I would have all my guitars with 1 volume and no tone, regardless of whether it'd be a 1h or 2h guitar. Tone controls make the sound very intransparent and stifled, IMO. At most, I can live with 1 vol and 1 tone with no-load function.
Jacew
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
Two volumes and no load master volume for me.
I don't really care for tone control. I can do that by blending pickups if I need it, but mostly I use foot controls for tone adjustment.
No load master volume has an added benefit of smoothing out the output when you turn down volume (because you also add that load), so you get better cleans.
Two volumes and no load master volume for me.
I don't really care for tone control. I can do that by blending pickups if I need it, but mostly I use foot controls for tone adjustment.
No load master volume has an added benefit of smoothing out the output when you turn down volume (because you also add that load), so you get better cleans.
Jackson Distortion
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
I definitely prefer one volume, one tone for it's ease of use. But, my axes of choice seem to have at least two volume controls, no less.
I definitely prefer one volume, one tone for it's ease of use. But, my axes of choice seem to have at least two volume controls, no less.
Jackson Distortion
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
I've really come to appreciate the Tone knob. It doesn't only change tone, but also playing dynamics.
I don't rely on pedals really, so getting a different sound without them makes you tweak the guitar and amp controls more.
I've really come to appreciate the Tone knob. It doesn't only change tone, but also playing dynamics.
I don't rely on pedals really, so getting a different sound without them makes you tweak the guitar and amp controls more.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
I like having a single master volume within easy reach. I also like having two volumes; it gives such a great spectrum of options when both pickups are on. After years playing various Fenders and Gibsons and PRSs, I'm at home with either arrangement. And I have an appreciation for both.
Jimmy Herring runs two volumes/one tone on his HH Strat, an option I hadn't really considered. I've always taken the single volume on Strats as sort of a given, never really thought about using two vols on one.
I like having a single master volume within easy reach. I also like having two volumes; it gives such a great spectrum of options when both pickups are on. After years playing various Fenders and Gibsons and PRSs, I'm at home with either arrangement. And I have an appreciation for both.
Jimmy Herring runs two volumes/one tone on his HH Strat, an option I hadn't really considered. I've always taken the single volume on Strats as sort of a given, never really thought about using two vols on one.
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
For years I looked at volume controls as actually being “on/off“ switches and tone controls as being nothing more than a nuisance that I needed to check to make sure it was still on 10.
I still feel the same about tone controls. Honestly, I just feel like they do nothing but deaden the tone and make it into something that I don’t want to hear.
In recent months I’ve learned to appreciate my volume control for adjusting gain when playing with dirt, but two volume controls just confuse me when I try to adjust on the fly. I really prefer just one.
For years I looked at volume controls as actually being “on/off“ switches and tone controls as being nothing more than a nuisance that I needed to check to make sure it was still on 10.
I still feel the same about tone controls. Honestly, I just feel like they do nothing but deaden the tone and make it into something that I don’t want to hear.
In recent months I’ve learned to appreciate my volume control for adjusting gain when playing with dirt, but two volume controls just confuse me when I try to adjust on the fly. I really prefer just one.
Gtrjunior
Well-known member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
I modded my Strat to have just one vol and one tone. I removed the top volume knob. I just can’t get along with its placement. My strumming hand constantly hits it and shuts the volume off. Lol
I modded my Strat to have just one vol and one tone. I removed the top volume knob. I just can’t get along with its placement. My strumming hand constantly hits it and shuts the volume off. Lol
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
All true but I prefer to keep it simple. One volume and one tone.
Like my Teles, my PRS’s...even my Custom Strats...and my ‘99 EBMM Axis.
Actually, the Axis has only a volume control! No tone...and I miss it.
What I don’t like is one tone and two volumes because then you’re stuck with the “50’s mod” sound...want it or not.
All true but I prefer to keep it simple. One volume and one tone.
Like my Teles, my PRS’s...even my Custom Strats...and my ‘99 EBMM Axis.
Actually, the Axis has only a volume control! No tone...and I miss it.
What I don’t like is one tone and two volumes because then you’re stuck with the “50’s mod” sound...want it or not.
Brian Krashpad
New member
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
I have guitars with both 2- and 4-pot layouts (and a Hamer and a Strat with 3). I can make the 2-pot thing work no problem, but as I usually play with no pedals to further shape sound, I prefer 4, particularly for guitar (as opposed to bass). Almost all my 2-HB guitars are 4-pot.
I have guitars with both 2- and 4-pot layouts (and a Hamer and a Strat with 3). I can make the 2-pot thing work no problem, but as I usually play with no pedals to further shape sound, I prefer 4, particularly for guitar (as opposed to bass). Almost all my 2-HB guitars are 4-pot.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Two Volume w/ Two Tone vs Master Volume and Master Tone
Up until a year or two ago I preferred 2 vol/2 tone. I used to set the bridge up for heavy crunch, roll the neck back for cleans and used the pickup selector to "change channels". I also preferred having two tones because quite often I'd have each knob at a different setting, depending on whether I was using a specific pickup for clean, crunch or lead.
The guitars I use now are all 1 vol/1 tone. At first it was an adjustment, but now I kind of prefer it. In particular, after years of playing Les Pauls I really appreciate having a volume control that's within reach of my pinky finger. I like being able to adjust the volume while I'm still playing.
Up until a year or two ago I preferred 2 vol/2 tone. I used to set the bridge up for heavy crunch, roll the neck back for cleans and used the pickup selector to "change channels". I also preferred having two tones because quite often I'd have each knob at a different setting, depending on whether I was using a specific pickup for clean, crunch or lead.
The guitars I use now are all 1 vol/1 tone. At first it was an adjustment, but now I kind of prefer it. In particular, after years of playing Les Pauls I really appreciate having a volume control that's within reach of my pinky finger. I like being able to adjust the volume while I'm still playing.
