Active/Passive electronic basses

Hector_G · #1 06-08-2010, 09:41 AM

So I might be in the market for a new bass soon.
An important feature I'm looking for is the ability to toggle between active and passive. This is important to me as I have a rather large pedal board. Some of these pedals don't play well with active electronics (Mammoth clone, Frazz Dazzler, Devi Ever Bit).

My Carvin LB75 has a push/pull volume knob that switches between active/passive. It's great to be able to switch over to passive on the songs that I need to use these pedals.

I also have the Schecter Stiletto Studio 5. I love the tone of this bass as well, but I really don't like switching basses between songs.

It's not easy information to quickly find, so ...
Which other basses under $1400 has this ability?

**line6man** · #2 06-08-2010, 09:53 AM

Depending on whether you have a 250K/500K volume(s) running before the preamp, or a 25K volume running after the preamp, and whether or not the controls are PCB mounted, it's probably just easier to add an active/passive switch than to choose a bass based on that feature alone.

Hector_G · #3 06-08-2010, 10:23 AM

Now why didn't I think of that? Would you happen to know a cost estimate to make have the switch installed?

edit: Oh. I guess it would have a lot to do with the variables listed above.

**line6man** · #4 06-08-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector_G

Now why didn't I think of that? Would you happen to know a cost estimate to make have the switch installed?

edit: Oh. I guess it would have a lot to do with the variables listed above.

It's much cheaper to just do it yourself.

Bass-Adrenaline · #5 06-08-2010, 11:34 AM

Also, if you dont want to add a switch you can always get a volume knob that has push/pull for active/passive.

**line6man** · #6 06-08-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass-Adrenaline

Also, if you dont want to add a switch you can always get a volume knob that has push/pull for active/passive.

Yeah, a push/pull pot is the best way to go, because it does not require permanent modification to the bass.

Bass-Adrenaline · #7 06-08-2010, 11:39 AM

That and it just looks a lot cleaner imo. Some poeple of course like switches for one reason or another.

countrybass007 · #8 06-08-2010, 06:05 PM

My Fender Marcus Miller works well in both active and passive, and I've played it out set both ways. It just has a lot more tone adjustment in active.

Scottgun · #9 06-08-2010, 06:07 PM

G&L L-2500

countrybass007 · #10 06-08-2010, 06:07 PM

Oh yeah, I paid $999 brand new with a deluxe Fender gig bag. Well under $1400, and there are a fair amount of nice used ones available.