mid-boost/shift tone controls: TBX, Q-Filter, EMG SPC

[zebra]

I've never been a fan of the traditional tone knob, and want to put together a set-up using a bridge and neck pickups (low-noise, full-frequency style, either Wilde L-45s or Lace Sensors) with some sort of mid-boost/shift control, either 1) Fender's TBX tone control, 2) a Bill Lawrence Q-Filter, or 3) EMG's SPC tone control.

Here's what I know so far:
- I've used the TBX on a Clapton Strat I had back in the day, and loved it - but I have no experience with the other two systems.
- From what I can tell, TBX and SPC require batteries, while the Q-filter doesn't. 

Anyone have any insight/experience with these options they'd care to share?
Much appreciated!

 

[AirCap]

Fender's TBX has NO batteries. I love it, too - and have it in a couple guitars and some basses. Works a charm.

 

[zebra]

Fender's TBX has NO batteries. I love it, too - and have it in a couple guitars and some basses. Works a charm.

Thanks for the clarification, AirCap.  I've seen versions of the circuit that do have a battery, but that might only be when an additional volume boost is included in the circuit - I don't recall off hand.  If that's the case, it seems the tone function alone does not need any juice.  Good to know!

 

[timezon3]

to back up AirCap...  IIRC, the Clapton Strat that has the TBX also has active pickups (or maybe just a boost?) and that's what requires the battery.  The early Malmsteen Strats (of which I have one hanging on my wall at home), also feature TBX, and do not require a battery.  So yeah, TBX is definitely passive.  It's a $12 part at musicians friend, can go in place of any standard tone control.

To be honest, though, I never messed with it much.  If you're looking for nonstandard wiring options, might I suggest a master tone (this can be TBX if you want), and replacing the other tone control with a mixer pot?  Allows you to get N+B option, as well as all 3 pickups on at once.  (assuming you're talking about a Strat here.)  I have this setup on my Warmoth Strat and like it a lot.

TZ

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Fender's system is more subtractive, which is why it is passive.
EMG's system is additive, which is why it is active.

 

[stratamania]

I think I posted this before but you could always do this off the guitar.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IufYy2QGcLE[/youtube]

 

[zebra]

I think I posted this before but you could always do this off the guitar.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IufYy2QGcLE[/youtube]

Stratamania - this is an awesome idea - thanks for posting!

 

[rgand]

I think I posted this before but you could always do this off the guitar.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IufYy2QGcLE[/youtube]

Stratamania - this is an awesome idea - thanks for posting!

Yes, thanks Stratamania. I have a TBX lying around to stuff into one to try it out.

Uh-oh, Does this signal the start of a stomp box addiction? :icon_biggrin:

 

[AirCap]

I like Rob's pedal idea.... but it needs a footswitch to turn it on and off.

 

[BigSteve22]

Uh-oh, Does this signal the start of a stomp box addiction? :icon_biggrin:

Stomp box addiction? You say that like it's a real thing! Ain't no such thing as a stomp box addiction! I just bought my third pedal in as many months, a Ditto Stereo Looper, but I ain't addicted! I can stop any time I want.....

(.....anybody got a recommendation for a OD? :evil4

 

[mayfly]

(.....anybody got a recommendation for a OD? :evil4

psst ... Steve.... get yourself a pro-co rat.  As good as those overpriced boutique pedals...

 

[rgand]

Stomp box addiction? You say that like it's a real thing! Ain't no such thing as a stomp box addiction! I just bought my third pedal in as many months, a Ditto Stereo Looper, but I ain't addicted! I can stop any time I want.....

(.....anybody got a recommendation for a OD? :evil4

I had my concerns. :tard: :icon_biggrin:

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I like Rob's pedal idea.... but it needs a footswitch to turn it on and off.

You can leave the switch "on" & then run the output to a try-bypass switch, available at Stew Mac, then to the output jack.

 

[BigSteve22]

(.....anybody got a recommendation for a OD? :evil4

psst ... Steve.... get yourself a pro-co rat.  As good as those overpriced boutique pedals...

Thanks for the recommendation. I listened to the demos and it sounds pretty "in your face", but that just might be my computer speakers, and cheap ear buds, talking. I want something that will give a nice clean OD, if it then has some grunge in reserve, that's just an added bonus. Some time ago someone here posted a link to BYOC, ("Build Your Own Clone"), and I was considering building a "Green Pony", supposed to be a cross Tube Screamer and a Klon Centaur but with a wider range. Thoughts?  ???

https://buildyourownclone.com/collections/overdrive/products/green-pony-kit

 

[Cagey]

My favorite overdrive(s) at the moment are Friedman's BE-OD and Dirty Shirley. I have the BE-OD. Lovely device. Pete Thorn does a great review of that one at the first link above.

 

[Sovereign_13]

That might have been me.  I posted a link maybe a week ago.  Personally, I really like my RAT (I have the modern RAT, with the LED in the logo).  I find it pretty versatile as an OD/distortion box, but it's not particularly transparent if that's what you're after.  It ranges from a light, grungey crunch up to full-blown fuzz, but it definitely doesn't sound like "your amp on 11".

The Green Pony sounds like it might be more what you're after for a more subtle overdrive sound.  Or if you're fine with waiting (and tweaking forever), the Crown Jewel seems like it does all the overdrives a person could ever want.

 

[zebra]

Simultaneously necroposting and thread-jacking my own thread...the TC Electronic MojoMojo is a GREAT OD for $50.  It's not marketed as "transparent" per se, which was what I was looking for when I bought it, but it certainly is.  No radical EQ curve, not a lot of compression - just dirt, which you can roll down to less than you'd actually want to roll down to, so you can get that nice, subtle break-up for adding a little edge to otherwise clean rhythm stuff.  The bass and treble controls are well voiced, but I'm not sure if you could get that TS mid-bump folks like that particular pedal for (I'm mostly playing a HSH guitar, so I'm never really scrambling for mids). 

Part of me wants to collect a humble OD collection with a few fancy boutique things, but...this pedal is solid enough that I can't imagine having more than a couple others.  Now EQ and preamp pedals, on the other hand - for some reason, I'm fascinated by those...

 

[Sovereign_13]

I haven't tried the MojoMojo, but I do like my MXR Il Torino Overdrive for similar reasons. It's actually a boost/OD, with the OD switch adding another gain stage.  3-band EQ if you're after that mid-bump.  I think it flew under the radar for a lot of people, but I like it well enough.