Guitar: Highpass/Lowpass filter on a concentric pot...why not?

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Contributor Since: Nov 11, 2007

I've seen those dual pots that have an inner and outer control on the same piece of electronics, and I'm curious why there aren't many (any?) guitars that use these as highpass AND lowpass filters? The standard tone control seems like it's a yin without a yang.

It seems that with something like this and a graphic EQ pedal you could come up with some very interesting tones. I bet I could get my Squier 51 (sounds Stratty by default) to sound like a rickenbacker with the humbucker in the bridge position and a narrow EQ band...

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Member
Since: Sep 14, 2010


Oct 21, 2010 08:47 pm

thats a clever idea. I myself have wondered why guitar's tone knobs have never evovled from the single broad band sweeper.

I came to the conclusion that it may be because most guitar players spend just as much on their signal path as they do the actual guitar and prolly have two or three stages of eq before they even get to the recorder. BUT it would be sweet to have a little more of a custom eq on your guitar

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Oct 21, 2010 09:51 pm

good idea but how good a quality is it going to be compared to doing this on the amp?

Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Oct 22, 2010 05:49 am

I think its more or less just to limit the amount of hardware u have to put into the guitar, remember the more bobs n bits u have the less WOOD u have, and wood is good...

anyhow yeah, it could also be that the tone knob works on a differnet principal to an EQ, but i could be wrong. nonetheless, switching pickups, volume levels, tone twists... u can get alot of different tones if ur patient

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Oct 22, 2010 12:11 pm

I think it's a good idea, but would entail a bit more space-taking than a tone knob does.(prolly a small circut board with the pot) It would deffinately be more usefull! The only time I touch mine is to make sure it's all the way up. I've had a few thoughts as to what I could do with that space, if I were to use it for something else.(preamp, eq, fx-proc, etc...) There are a few options out there.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Oct 22, 2010 02:36 pm

@ Deon: I don't believe in good quality! I believe in qualities. I know what you mean though and the tones may or may not seem desirable to everyone who listens without the context of the mix for balance. I've starting working on my own music projects and put the free recording time thing more or less on hold except with those that I've already worked with. The instrumentation in this music is pretty diverse: URB, sax, trumpet, rock drum kit, tabla, didjeridoo, electric bass/guitars, gamelan samples, glass armonicas...it's a cluster. My thought is that some of these instruments are bound to clash and while I could shape the tone using EQ's in my DAW, I think shaping my tone using real electronic components might be worthwhile. Especially if any of this is ever re-created live. When it comes down to it...I really just think it would be cool!

@ Crux: Good point, the mass of the wood is definitely important for sustain reasons, especially since my '51 is a thin little thing anyway. I'm adding a big clunky B5 to this guitar next week and the tech said he'll mount it snuggly to the wood, which I hope may make up for any mass lost due to routing space for a concentric pot and circuitboard. If all else fails, the guy just happens to have a spare Squier 51 and it just happens to be completely identical to my 51.

@ Hue: I'm a little concerned about the possibility aspect of this too. The tech said he thinks it could be possible but he's never done it or heard of it being done. Apparently he's got an electronics guru friend he's going to consult with. I should find out if he can do it on Monday. Here's hoping! I'll be sure to post some snippets of tones achieved. If he does end up getting the high pass/lowpass pot put in, I'll be purchasing a graphic EQ the same day. Have you used many of those? Any suggestions?

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Oct 22, 2010 09:36 pm

really at the end of the day, ya just do what you gotta, to get where you wanna.


Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Nov 01, 2010 12:11 pm

I used to use one of those Boss graphic eq pedals, years ago. It did 'ugly' things to the sound, which at the time I liked.

After going back to the FlextoneIIIxl from the Vetta, my cowriter vehemenently-requested that I start using the same configuration in the effect-loop as before, so...

I'm using a parametric-EQ... rolling off the 'too-highs', and 'too-lows' with a sloping, -6dB notch around 180Hz'ish. Between that, the BBE, and compressor in the effects loop, the sound really does thicken and tighten-up... effects become more 'liquidy', and virant.... and he's off my back! Bah!

The Czar of BS
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2007


Nov 01, 2010 01:30 pm

I don't think that you will loss any more wood in making a project like this. A high pass and a low pass filter is nothing more then a capacitor and a resistor, and how you wire them. Weather it's in series or parallel. And this is how your tone knobs are already wired to begin with.

Bottom line, is that you may not need a circuit board at all. I guess it's all depends on what type of filter your putting in. And by that I mean weather it's a Linkwitz Riley, Bessel, or Butterworth slope.

Member
Since: Sep 14, 2010


Nov 01, 2010 08:06 pm

Why not just have a fully integrated DAW in the guitar complete with instant interface free MIDI sequencing, an LCD screen with digital mixer and plug ins.

Yeah, that sounds great. The roland fantom guitar.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004


Nov 02, 2010 09:10 am

Rob... that sounds pretty simple, small, and easy enough.

cg,k... why not? It would have to be a Gibson, so it could tune itself, as well. heh

Member
Since: Sep 14, 2010


Nov 02, 2010 04:22 pm

HAHA, yeah.....i'm waiting for it. The digidesign les paul HD rig.

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