Any EL Toro Passive Users out there?

[denki109]

I recently acquired a red El Toro '84 vintage bass in the rare "passive only" configuration and am really pleased with it.

Are there any El Toro users out there?

Any other El Toro passive-only players here on this forum?

How much am I missing by NOT having the active option? I've got an outboard Aquilar preamp (DB924) which reminds me a bit of the active circuitry on an L2K I once had. Will this be close to what the active switch on an El Toro-E would have?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

- Den

[Spiritfield]

I used to have a red, passive only El Toro... hmmm....
I liked it. I've had several Toro's over the years but only the one that was passive only. Others that have had both seem to prefer the active/passive ones. I pretty much play all my G&L's in passive mode anyway, so I liked what I could get out of the passive 'Toro. I thought it was a great sounding bass.

[Chef]

Mine is an active model, and I never use the passive mode.
The L1000 is a passive bass, and I looove that one.
L2000, L2500; I like the passive in those.

My Lakland 5501 with Nordstrand DC5's-which sorta seem similar in desgin to the Tor pickups-I like in passive mode.

The Toro seems dead and lifeless to me in passive.
It may be that removing the preamp altogether is "better than passive mode in the active model."

[K-Funk]

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone know about how many El Toro basses were produced? I've heard they're very rare; is this true?

[Kyon`]

Hm always wanted one, really dig the old G&L j pups, not sure about the newer ones though.

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by K-Funk

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone know about how many El Toro basses were produced? I've heard they're very rare; is this true?

They aren't very common. Apparently at the time the model was a bit of a low seller.

Passive ones are less common than active.

Jim

[Chef]

And now Nordstrand dual coils are all the rage...Leo leads the way, again

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Chef

And now Nordstrand dual coils are all the rage...Leo leads the way, again

Hey Alan,

Compare that Nordy to the ET and SB-2 and see if it is the same size as either.

Yep betcha Nordy took a long look at the El Toro and came up with these things.

Leo was so far ahead of himself. We will just remind people.

Jim

[Chef]

I don't have any Nord DC4's here but:
4 String - (Similar to Bartolini (tm) BC Shape ) - 3.99" X 1.27"

SB2 3.98 x 1.09
Toro 3.87 x 1.12

Similar, but not same...