BTC is Bass Treble Control, 2 band EQ. it comes in a few forms. one as a stacked knob and another as 2 pots.
Exactly!
But nowadays I just set tone control on neutral … and do everything via VST/plugins in the DAW … either live or later in production.
So, is the BTC necessary? Don’t need tone, don’t need EQ on my bass…
Yeah it’s better to add the VMC Variable Mid Control.
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One more thing, @Al1885 , about the 35TW: I have to admit that I rarely use the J pickup in my P/J setup. Solo it sounds “meh” and I rarely mix it with the P pickup otherwise.
So, the 35TW has a humbucker and a single coil mode. I assume that singe coil equals a jazz pickup?
My thinking: if I never use the jazz pickup anyway, does a single coil mode make sense??!
If not, does the 35DC make more sense? And what about 35CS?
I understand it sounds “warmer” than the 35DC. But I could just EQ the 35DC to a warmer sound, right, via my DAW?
Questions, questions ![]()
Not now as you are exploring and discovering your taste, but the thing with taste and preference, it changes over time. One day you’d find yourself falling in love with the single coil tone. Think Marcus Miller, well you don’t like Jaco, ![]()
Again, if you have a habit of fixing everything in Post, it doesn’t really matter what you have. It’s a live tone you want to control.
Hmmmm … you are using the same “trick” that you used when talking me out of the Avocado bass: good arguments!
OK, I go for the 35TWX. I can add the BTC later!
Before I forget: am I right to think that with the same PUs (35DC) and the same PU position as those used with the Spector Bantam 4 Short Scale, I can expect a similar sound?
I could only measure from a hires picture, so it’s a ballpark +/- 5mm…
Yes and no!
The closer to the neck it produces warmer tone and can be muddy depending on the pickup.
In the middle just think P bass it can be many things.
Closer to the bridge things just gets brighter and crisp all from the same pickup.
So, based on the drawing, I can expect a brighter sound?
I saw a video, and I really liked the Bantam sound! On the other hand, I prefer the dark side of the force, so maybe I use the same bridge position as the bantam, but reuse the neck position of the the existing P pickup?
Ok, that guy had me at the 27th time he said “punch” ![]()
Of course, that makes my life complicated again! DC/CS combo? TWX/TWX???
But that’s what this thread is for: complicate stuff and the do the right thing ![]()
I’ve had TWX and the DC/CS combo; I prefer the DC/CS. It’s on the bass I let get away
I presume that was on a long scale, cause you let it go away?
Why didn’t you just exchange the pickups? It’s easy!
On short scale, pickups tend to sound different, that’s why I’m asking.
I did exchange the pickups, it’s how I got an Ellefson set before Dave did his bad thing.
It was long scale, but still a good pickup combo
Ooooooooooooooh … red!?
That gives me ideas!
Little summary for the start of this week:
Today I’m going to call all the guitar makers in the area. Let’s see how expensive it will be to have the pickup shafts routed … and how long something like that will take.
Regarding pickups, I’m going for EMG because of the Lego principle!
At first I thought I wanted 2x35DC, then the combination 35DC/35CS. Then @Al1885 had the idea that I should use 2x35TW (basically a 35CS that can be switched between dual/humbucker and single coil). And in Germany there are often the X versions - what is that supposed to be?
Ergo: I’m confused!
That’s why I love socialism, there’s only one product and it’s good ![]()
Unfortunately there are no red pickups here. From @Wombat-metal came the idea of equipping my completely black bass with red soap bars. It’s somehow “evil”… maybe I’ll cover the pickups with car vinyl sheet?
And of course I need a new pickguard. I resisted it for a long time, but I’ll probably get a fretsaw and cut myself a blank.
Last but not least, the topic of positioning drives me nuts.
Tonight I had the crazy idea of simply having a large shaft routed between the neck and the bridge. Put in two rails and then install the two soap bars so that they can be moved.
Somehow that really has its charm… but that’s probably a typical nighttime thought where you fantasize feverishly while you’re half asleep!!!
To be continued…
I just finished with my short scale and it was a fun mod. You saw it. I don’t know if you need to do the routing. If you want to achieve what you need in terms of tone you can do that with the same PJ form factor just have to pick the model and or preamp for it.
The one underneath the pickguard is easy enough but the jazz may be an issue for you as the 35 model is shorter but wider than jazz bass.
If you’re routing the cavity maybe just get the palm router and a few bits and do it yourself. It will be about the same as paying the luthier to do it and you get to keep the tool, ![]()
I have a few quality bits from StewMac but I think other brands can do just as well.
An alternative would be the 40 Model. It’s for 5-string, but it should work too!?
I will measure it later!
My girlfriend saw your remark and asked me where you live, so she can kick your @ss ^^
I am not allowed any more tools, basses and other toys. If I want to play (eg route something), I need to go outside…
My life is worse than that of a dog ![]()
EDIT I asked around, what routing would cost.
One luthier wanted 160€, the other two wanted 60€. I had a few others on my list, but 60€ is more than ok, so I did not talk to any luthiers around.
By the way, these are the luthiers around me - walking/biking distance. WTF?
A funny ex-punk luthier will do it in two days for 60€.
I like that guy … also he finds it totally fascinating what I did to my basses … and he was really impressed with the result of my fretless endeavor.
He knows the Sire U5 fretless very well and found my modded HB much much better than the Sire.
Couldn’t stop playing it and I had to tear it from his hands, as I had some other things to do today. Also: now I know how my bass can sound if I could play it well ![]()
So: yay!
He will the one to do it, cause he loves his instruments. And mine!
Ok, you won!
Just ordered 2x35TW.
One reason was, that it is impossible to get the 32CS here … and the 35TW is in fact a 35CS with single/dual coil mode.
Well why? If I’m in the ass kicking distance from you, I can route that cavity for you already, or hand you to tool to do the same, ![]()




