What is the Stellartone Tonestyler?
The Stellartone Tonestyler is a replacement tone control for single or dual pickup bass guitars or guitars. It is very similar to the traditional Vari-Tone without incorporating inductors into the design. The Tonestyler is a high-quality rotary switch with an array of capacitors to select through either 6, 10, or 11 positions depending on the chosen model.
How does it work?
Your standard tone control utilizes a potentiometer to vary the signal to only a single capacitor that allows high frequencies to pass, or be bled to ground. The Stellartone uses a rotary switch instead of a potentiometer to select an array of capacitor values instead of a single capacitor value; this allows you to adjust with each selection the frequency of the roll-off point, and decide based on the setting how much treble and midrange to retain and where these frequencies should be cut off.
“Which Stellartone will work best for my bass?”
This depends on the number of pickups your current instrument has, what the existing controls are, and how your controls are mounted on your bass. The Duo Models are intended for instruments that have two pickups, like a Jazz Bass with Volume – Volume – Tone control layout, and the Non-Duo models are intended for instruments like the Precision Bass that only utilize a single pickup with Volume – Tone, or a two pickup instrument that has Volume – Blend – Tone control layout.
You can also use a Duo model with a two pickup instrument that has Volume – Blend – Tone as well. The Short models are intended for use on basses like Precision and Jazz bass where the controls are mounted to a control plate or pick guard. The Mid length models are intended for install on instruments where the controls are mounted through the body.
“What knobs should I use with the Stellartone?”
If you are replacing the tone control on your Jazz or Precision bass and using a short model your standard 1/4-inch knobs will work fine. The Mid length models can use 24 spline push on 1/4-inch knobs, and 6mm or 1/4-inch set screw knobs.
“How do I wire the Stellartone on my bass?”
The Stellartone wires in easily on your bass and correctly handles how the signal chain should be. Unlike your factory tone control, the Stellartone takes the pickups signal directly to it first. There are many different ways of wiring the Stellartone, and below are some examples on how you can utilize the Stellartone with your existing control layout.
Non-Duo Models for single pickup basses
with Volume – Tone layout.
Non-Duo Models for two pickup basses
with Volume – Blend – Tone layout
Non-Duo Models for two pickup basses
with Volume – Volume – Tone – Tone layout.
Duo Models for two pickup basses
with Volume – Volume – Tone layout
Duo Models for two pickup basses
with Volume – Blend – Tone layout
“Is there anything else I can do with the Stellartone?”
Yes. There is a method of wiring the Stellartone that can provide the most flexibility. This combination requires some modification to your existing control layout without requiring drilling another hole, but is quite flexible if you are only wanting to get the most out of passive tone.
Using a Jazz bass as an example, we have outlined how you would wire a Jazz bass to incorporate a Stellartone Duo and end up with a Volume – Volume – Duo. If you convert the Volume – Volume to a Volume / Volume Stack pot – Duo you have one extra hole that can be filled with a Tandem Pot like the East/ACG pot we described in the passive tone article.
Removing the capacitors from the East/ACG dual tandem tone pot, you know have a pot that can be used in conjunction to create a Volume / Volume Stack – Tandem Pot – Stellartone Duo; this functions by allowing neck and bridge pickup to have their own independent capacitor selection on the Stellartone which feeds into each tier on the Dual Gang pot that allows frequencies to pass, or be bled to ground.
Compared to your standard tone pot that has one capacitor, with the Stellartone Duo Six (as an example) and the Tandem Pot you have an array of 6 capacitors to select from.
“How would I wire this type of control layout?”
Below is the correct way to implement incorporating a Volume/Volume Stack – Stellartone Duo-Six – Tandem Tone-Pot on your Jazz Bass, P/J bass, or similar two pickup instrument.
