Active Bass into an Ampeg SVT-CL

[bluesbass99]

Okay, I'm going to apologize in advance for my ignorance, but I just bought a Fender Jazz Road Worn that has EMG X pick-ups installed. I've always played with basses that had passive pick-ups, so this is the first bass I have owned with active pick-ups.

My question is when I plug the new bass into the active jack (-.15dB) on my Ampeg CL, the volume is significantly lower than the jack I would ordinarily plug my passive bass in. Is this normal? I would have thought the active pick-ups plugged into the active jack would be as least the same in volume. When I plug the new bass into the passive side, it sounds like I would expect it to sound.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[coreyfyfe]

The active input is padded -15dB but if your active bass isn't 15 dB louder than your passive bass you wont get the same output. I always just use the passive input even with active basses. Unless you're really overdriving the preamp, I find the pad unnecessary.

[ajunea3]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

The active input is padded -15dB but if your active bass isn't 15 dB louder than your passive bass you wont get the same output. I always just use the passive input even with active basses. Unless you're really overdriving the preamp, I find the pad unnecessary.

Yeah, I never use the -15 dB pad either. Just plug into the 0 dB input and set your gain to taste.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Unless you're really overdriving the preamp, I find the pad unnecessary.

Exactly, and in fact the whole reason amps have an input or button labeled "active" is just because in ye olde 1980's, active basses often had higher output, and caused unwanted clipping.

[Alex1984]

Yeah, I've always been taught to plug into the passive unless if it's clipping too much. Even then, there's still the volume knob on the bass.

[bluesbass99]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. That was interesting as to why they have two inputs.

[countrybassist]

Originally Posted by ajunea3

Yeah, I never use the -15 dB pad either. Just plug into the 0 dB input and set your gain to taste.

+1