What the heck is this mod?

[SacRush]

Gang,
I saw an add in the local for a Squier PBass and took a better look at the pictures (which I hope that I have posted here!). It looks like someone took a late 90's Korean Squier and monkeyed around with the electronics - the knobs definitely look different and there is a flap-switch kinda thing in between what I assume are still the volume and tone knobs. I am thinking of getting it out of curiosity, if I can get the price down. I haven't played it either - its a little out of my usual area.
The owner hasn't responded back to my questions so I thought I would turn to TB - who have never let me down.

 

[jd56hawk]

Could just be an on/off switch for someone who needs a red light to remind him he's plugged in.

 

[SacRush]

New and not-so-bright person question, is that any kind of normal? I haven't heard of anything like that before.

 

[mongo2]

It's unusual to use that type of switch but it could be a series/parallel switch for the pickup, or a controls bypass switch, or a tone control capacitor selection switch, or a "producer" switch...

 

[CallMeAl]

Nuclear warhead

 

[bass40hz]

It literally could be for anything or nothing...this could go on forever. I'm gonna make so me popcorn and watch the "it could be..." answers roll in ;-) Go play it if you can and see what it does or doesn't do.
Rock on.

 

[JRA]

i have one switch like that one... but mine turns the blender on and off.

 

[Paulabass]

It slows the drummer down by 8 beats per minute. Handy.

 

[Gorn]

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Since there aren’t any additional knobs I’m guessing he did not add an active preamp, so it might be a killswitch.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Remote device switch to open and close the garage door when leaving or coming back for/from a gig. Voilà

 

[Magthegrate]

If it was on my bass it would be a kill switch, but it would also be a lot more unobtrusive.

 

[Paulabass]

To truly understand what is now, you must understand what has come before. This bass was designed in the prime psychotropic drug era, and putting ones self in that state-of-mind helps understand.
Top to bottom. L>R
Volume, Varitone (for those who like presets, but pos. 1 is the only one that sounds good, so best to ignore), Pre amp on (this particular pre-amp has so much gain it will easily drive a speaker cabinet) Pickup selector (given the proximity of the bridge pickup TO the bridge, this is best used sparingly), Pre amp volume (something has to tame that overactive pre-amp or your cable will melt) Tone ( I don't use a tone control) Three switches in a row- Top to bottom- Warp/impulse drive, Navigation, Lowers/raises anchor.
How does this relate to the mystery switch? Simple. While playing, flip it to it's opposite setting. If it sounds terrible, don't do that again.

 

[kentiki]

Maybe the previous owner was a fan of 60's Japanese basses.

 

[Clark W]

A placebo for the producer, that is genius!

 

[Clark W]

View attachment 3367854 View attachment 3367855 View attachment 3367856 Gang,
I saw an add in the local for a Squier PBass and took a better look at the pictures (which I hope that I have posted here!). It looks like someone took a late 90's Korean Squier and monkeyed around with the electronics - the knobs definitely look different and there is a flap-switch kinda thing in between what I assume are still the volume and tone knobs. I am thinking of getting it out of curiosity, if I can get the price down. I haven't played it either - its a little out of my usual area.
The owner hasn't responded back to my questions so I thought I would turn to TB - who have never let me down.

It's for opening the bomb bay doors and dropping a load of low end on unsuspecting audiences while they're tapping away on social media on their smart phones.

 

[SacRush]

You guys are awesome - definitely making my morning (in CA) way more interesting than my actual job. It seems like I have to actually go play the beast to see what it does. Now I am really excited!

 

[CatchaCuda]

That gaudy switch coupled with the crack are good reasons to swap the pick guard.

 

[Clark W]

You guys are awesome - definitely making my morning (in CA) way more interesting than my actual job. It seems like I have to actually go play the beast to see what it does. Now I am really excited!

Well once you actually get to try the "bomb bay door" button out, let us know what you think about it...

 

[SacRush]

That gaudy switch coupled with the crack are good reasons to swap the pick guard.

Absolutely! Will I have any trouble finding a replacement - assuming I drop the switch?