Removing tone control on Trace-Elliot Velocette amp to use it with bass

Question

I have a Trace-Elliot Velocette that I'm very satisfied with. This amp works very good also for recording bass, but the low notes will be much less sturdy when recording through this amp than if I record through line. Of course I can use a line box and mix the different sounds, but since I also practice bass with the amp I've been figuring to put a switch which would disable the tone control. I could then switch the tone control on and off regarding if it's needed.

1. Would this be a good idea?
2. Is it usual that guitar amps do filter a lot in the lower registry, or is this due to the speaker?
3. What would the adverse effects be when the filter is switched out? Would there be low frequency (50/60 Hz) hum?

Here's a service manual for the amp. Looks like I should make a switch that changes C3 (input) and a switch that disconnects the tone control altogether.

Looking forward to your thoughts on this.

Answer 1

In simplest terms, guitars and basses have specific frequency ranges defined by the typical lowest and highest notes on the fretboards.

Amps AND speakers tend to be designed and/or chosen for their performance in these frequency ranges.

So yes, "guitar [combo] amps filter the lower registry" in that they are not generally intended to be as responsive in these ranges.

I do not think that your tone control is going to make much of a difference. The real answer is to get a "line box" as you describe, or get a bass amplifier. If you are going to purchase the line box, a cheap low watt practice amp for bass is probably not much more money.