Tone control on inexpensive pre-wired pickups. Is it worth it? - Cigar Box Nation2024-03-28T19:37:33Zhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/tone-control-on-inexpensive-pre-wired-pickups-is-it-worth-it?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI’ve seen a few demo videos w…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-19:2592684:Comment:29635312017-10-19T16:06:11.102ZDucati Scottyhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DucatiScotty
I’ve seen a few demo videos where people showed a pickup run straight to the amp and then the same pickup with volume and/or tone controls added. It’s always clearer and better straight to the amp. I look at the volume control as a convenience, not needing to lean over and adjust the amp.
I’ve seen a few demo videos where people showed a pickup run straight to the amp and then the same pickup with volume and/or tone controls added. It’s always clearer and better straight to the amp. I look at the volume control as a convenience, not needing to lean over and adjust the amp. Good info, thanks. I’m sure u…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-19:2592684:Comment:29637352017-10-19T15:57:29.332ZDucati Scottyhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DucatiScotty
Good info, thanks. I’m sure using pickups that cost more than $10 would help in many ways.
Good info, thanks. I’m sure using pickups that cost more than $10 would help in many ways. I agree with Chickenbone John…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-19:2592684:Comment:29633832017-10-19T13:32:51.135ZJanis Wilson Hugheshttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/JanisWilsonHughes
<p>I agree with Chickenbone John. The tone control will play a bigger role with a nicer amp.</p>
<p>I don't like to fiddle with my amps all the time. Generally speaking as a player I like to have tone control, but as a builder I often don't add a tone control unless I use 2 pickups where I'll be wiring in a switch too. And for single pickup builds I often use Snake Oils (not the cheapest but better tone than super cheapos) which are not overly bright so don't need the tone rolled off to sound…</p>
<p>I agree with Chickenbone John. The tone control will play a bigger role with a nicer amp.</p>
<p>I don't like to fiddle with my amps all the time. Generally speaking as a player I like to have tone control, but as a builder I often don't add a tone control unless I use 2 pickups where I'll be wiring in a switch too. And for single pickup builds I often use Snake Oils (not the cheapest but better tone than super cheapos) which are not overly bright so don't need the tone rolled off to sound good. I prefer warm tone. </p> It was you, posted just yeste…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-18:2592684:Comment:29630082017-10-18T07:44:51.563ZDucati Scottyhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DucatiScotty
It was you, posted just yesterday. ZZ Top song :)
It was you, posted just yesterday. ZZ Top song :) Ah! And my friend certainly h…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-18:2592684:Comment:29628102017-10-18T05:28:50.534ZDucati Scottyhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DucatiScotty
Ah! And my friend certainly has much nicer amps, so it might be worth it for his guitar. Thanks!<br />
<br />
And it might have been you who had the video of the humbucker wired to a switch.
Ah! And my friend certainly has much nicer amps, so it might be worth it for his guitar. Thanks!<br />
<br />
And it might have been you who had the video of the humbucker wired to a switch. On really tiny amps like the…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-18:2592684:Comment:29627282017-10-18T05:00:30.399ZChickenboneJohnhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/ChickenboneJohn
<p>On really tiny amps like the Honeytone it's difficult to detect any change in sound when you use the tone control...all you are hearing is distortion thru' a lo-fi little speaker. So if that's all you are playing through, it's fine, but you WILL notice the difference if you play through a bigger, better amp.</p>
<p>On really tiny amps like the Honeytone it's difficult to detect any change in sound when you use the tone control...all you are hearing is distortion thru' a lo-fi little speaker. So if that's all you are playing through, it's fine, but you WILL notice the difference if you play through a bigger, better amp.</p> I saw a video of someone who…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-18:2592684:Comment:29630022017-10-18T04:58:15.031ZDucati Scottyhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DucatiScotty
I saw a video of someone who had a humbucker on a switch. It was wired so you could run it as a humbucker or single coil for really clean sound. I think I’ll be doing that from now on, there was a nice change in tone from that.
I saw a video of someone who had a humbucker on a switch. It was wired so you could run it as a humbucker or single coil for really clean sound. I think I’ll be doing that from now on, there was a nice change in tone from that. I just adjust my amplifier...tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-17:2592684:Comment:29621162017-10-17T03:47:45.884ZJohn Sawyerhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/JohnSawyer
<p>I just adjust my amplifier...</p>
<p>I just adjust my amplifier...</p> That makes a lot of sense. I…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-16:2592684:Comment:29619122017-10-16T23:53:51.142ZDucati Scottyhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DucatiScotty
<p>That makes a lot of sense. I'm sure these inexpensive pre-wired setups don't have optimized values on the pots and capacitor for the specific pickup, and poor choices here could do far more harm than good. I've noticed the dead spot you mention.</p>
<p>I think I'll join you in dispensing with the tone control and maybe re-use the pots elsewhere. I like the volume control for convenience but you've confirmed my feeling that the tone knob isn't adding much to the…</p>
<p>That makes a lot of sense. I'm sure these inexpensive pre-wired setups don't have optimized values on the pots and capacitor for the specific pickup, and poor choices here could do far more harm than good. I've noticed the dead spot you mention.</p>
<p>I think I'll join you in dispensing with the tone control and maybe re-use the pots elsewhere. I like the volume control for convenience but you've confirmed my feeling that the tone knob isn't adding much to the value.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Scott</p> Scott, tone controls are hard…tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2017-10-16:2592684:Comment:29620902017-10-16T23:31:53.235Zdarryl kernaghanhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/darrylkernaghan
<p>Scott, tone controls are hard to get value out of, firstly, most pots used on cbg's are cheap chinese stuff, often not working well to start with, then the value of the capacitor has to match the tone area you are seeking, and there's many variables of type and capacity there, i don't often fit tone controls any more, as it really isn't worth the effort to my mind, more than 1/2 the gits i've fitted them to, they barely make a difference, and sometimes just add a dead spot as you turn…</p>
<p>Scott, tone controls are hard to get value out of, firstly, most pots used on cbg's are cheap chinese stuff, often not working well to start with, then the value of the capacitor has to match the tone area you are seeking, and there's many variables of type and capacity there, i don't often fit tone controls any more, as it really isn't worth the effort to my mind, more than 1/2 the gits i've fitted them to, they barely make a difference, and sometimes just add a dead spot as you turn them</p>