Removing the tone suck circuit from a STARFIRE

[planetguy]

ok, so i've got a 67 SFII w the dreaded tone suck switch.

what can i expect if i remove this...."better tone" but in what way? is there a particular range (highs, mids, lows....all) that's improved? less compression? or....????

i'd love to hear from folks that have done this and exactly what difference(s) they noticed.

 

[fronobulax]

ok, so i've got a 67 SFII w the dreaded tone suck switch.

what can i expect if i remove this...."better tone" but in what way? is there a particular range (highs, mids, lows....all) that's improved? less compression? or....????

i'd love to hear from folks that have done this and exactly what difference(s) they noticed.

I really ought to know but don't. I'm thinking removing it adds a bit more highs but since I am trying to remember what others have told me I'm probably wrong.

'67 with tone switch. Curved bridge and serial number after BA-1459, right? (If it's under BA-1472 then we need to talk, er... PM).

 

[planetguy]

'67 with tone switch. Curved bridge and serial number after BA-1459, right? (If it's under BA-1472 then we need to talk, er... PM).

yep, exactly so. serial number is BA-1665.

 

[fronobulax]

'67 with tone switch. Curved bridge and serial number after BA-1459, right? (If it's under BA-1472 then we need to talk, er... PM).

yep, exactly so. serial number is BA-1665.

BA-1662. Just three less than yours. Sold on eBay for $3,500, allegedly to a collector in France, in 2007 if my memory and notes are correct.

 

[planetguy]

wow...that's some big bucks. that bass looks almost new.

mine is uh...more of a "player", shall we say. and honestly, for me "players" that have a few battle scars on 'em provide sooooo much less stress when you're out on a gig.

 

[bklynbass]

The coil can seriously hamper the sound even when it's not engaged. I recommend bypassing or removing them. They don't really serve any useful purpose. My m 85 sounded muddy and distorted till I removed the circuit- I almost sold it! I posted before and after clips somewhere on this site if you want to check it out.

 

[planetguy]

"My m 85 sounded muddy and distorted till I removed the circuit- I almost sold it!"

see, that's my problem. i am really, really digging this bass. it sounds great and i always get compliments on it's warm woody tone.

...sooooo, i'm reluctant to mess w it w/o knowing what kind of dividends to expect. especially considering how much fun it is getting into a semi-hollow body to deal w wiring issues.

as the saying goes "don't take any wooden nickels".....no, uh wait, wrong saying. this one..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

btw...that M85 is the bee's knees! what is the scale length on that?