Where to put tone stack and why

[steveneddy]

I have built an amp - kinda like a Bassman circuit - but the tone stack has been moved to after V1 - goes to a pre-volume pot - then V2.

From V2 it goes thru a master volume pot then on to the PI.

I like the sound of the amp with the tone stack after the first stage - and if it is before the pre-volume I can turn down the pre-volume and drive the tone stack a little harder - which in my opinion is sounding really good.

My Strat sounds really nice through this amp.

Why is the tone stack after V2 in this circuit typically?

You see it all the time - with a few exceptions.

Also - wouldn't it be better to have a distorted gain stage AFTER the tone stack - and before the PI?

Discuss.

Thanks for everyone who reads and also those who share their opinions.

[John_P_WI]

This is very general - most tone stacks that we are accustomed to are high impedance and "lossy". What you are referring to, and had posted later in your thread the other day, is called a cathode follower. The cathode follower provides a low impedance source and is able to drive loads efficiently, ie tone stacks.

The position of tone stacks also affects the ability of tone shaping, generally in distortion preamps it is later in the "chain". Additionally, whether the tone stack is plate loaded or driven by a cathode follower can shape the tone as well.

I would encourage you to read basics on preamps / amps. Guys like Kevin O'Conner and Merlin Blencowe have contributed heavily to this field, along with reading the stickeys here.

[Leo_Gnardo]

There's also the matter of placing the tone stack "before" or "after" the overdrive stages in amps that have them. Makes all the difference in the world. I prefer "after" but others disagree. No matter - try both and make your choice.