... Here is a great example of Norbert's P bass tone...
Ditto...
Bought the LP (still have it) this is from back in the 70's - a big regret I have is that I never got to see Dan (rip) as he was scheduled to be supporting the Eagles on the Hotel California UK tour and had to cancel - can't remember why or who replaced him for those gigs, great as they were... NP produced this too (iirc) so probably got the best for his sound too...
Nice instruments, Mojo...
Re tone and the controls... I've always considered that "tone" is part of the players style and that the controls just get in the way... pros have to rely on the soundman so as clean a signal as possible is (imho) the best route... with the exception of my SG (guitar) none of my instruments have a tone control and most just have a single volume control, unless there is a balance issue re the output, ie a Mudbucker vs a humbucker etc...