Passive in or active in on amp?

[deggial]

Kind of a very, very noobish question I guess, but I've only started playing the bass guitar a few months ago, so be gentle

My G&L Tribute L-2500 Premium has just arrived and this is the second bass I've ever owned, the first one being a passive bass. My combo amp has two inputs: passive in and active in.

a) Which one should I use?

b) Is there a certain configuration (e.g. connecting it to the passive input but turning on the bass' preamp) that may cause a problem?

[Chef]

There is no clear answer to this question; other than "try passive, and if it clips/sounds nasty, use active."

I generally use the passive channel at all times, for all basses; active or not...unless the amp forces me to use the active channel.

[metron]

Originally Posted by Chef

There is no clear answer to this question; other than "try passive, and if it clips/sounds nasty, use active."

I generally use the passive channel at all times, for all basses; active or not...unless the amp forces me to use the active channel.

Same here. Good advice Chef!

[francisl2500]

i use active for my trib 2500 in my hartke 3500 cause in passive that gave me some kind of distorsion....
Francis

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Chef

There is no clear answer to this question; other than "try passive, and if it clips/sounds nasty, use active."

I generally use the passive channel at all times, for all basses; active or not...unless the amp forces me to use the active channel.

Bingo!

Jim

[Daylate]

This is a "flame free" zone. The active input of an amplifier cuts the signal from your bass by a few dB. Otherwise, the signal from an active instrument stands a much greater chance of saturating the input. (However, this can sound reeeeeally cool in the right situation.) I don't know if it does this by means of an active circuit of its own, or just a big resistor, but that's what is happening. I think this is right, anyway. Anyone who knows more, please keep me honest.

Cheers, all!

[spideyjg]

The padded input can affect your tone as compared to passive.

If the passive can cope, use it, if not user the active or engage the pad.

Judge by your ears not any specifications.

Goes for any bass not just G&L's

Jim

[plankspanker13]

My passive JB2 Tribby goes into the active input on my amp because the instrument has very hot output for a passive instrument, and I tend to play hard a lot.