Active basses

[Solarmist]

Are you really going through batteries quickly? I play A LOT and only replace about every 6 months not because it goes dead, but because I feel like "it's time."

I play quite a bit as well and 4 out of 5 of my basses are Ibby SR's, and I only go through 2 batteries per year ... maybe 10 months.

I get the 4-packs of Rayovac Alkaline ... they're considerably cheaper than Eveready or Duracell, and last just as long. That's less than $3.00 per year.

 

[Crystalman85]

I have a couple of Hohner basses with this (they will work with a completely drained battery). One is a headless, yes, I know.. lol. The other is the Hohner Phoenix deluxe which I've never heard of before but just purchased used from GC for $99. Nice bass.Picture's attached. Trying to look for another one.
From Hohner's own website regarding the passive/active functionality of the headless bass (same control scheme on the Phoenix)

The B2ADB has an active/passive switch and is one of the very few active basses that can also be used in passive mode. You will never be down again because of a drained battery! The active status is indicated by a red status LED.

That's a nice looking bass. And it's a hohner, huh? I didn't know they make other models. I'm only familiar with their violin bass.

 

[Crystalman85]

My bad, didn't realise. I swear I've read people around here saying they use rechargeables. Having not bothered using them before, I will continue to not bother



My point wasn't that you'd lose the EQ and that would be bad, but more that it's often not a 'gig saver' feature if your bass goes, as you'll still have no sound either way. I just thought that was the direction of the question considering the thread it was in. If I'm wrong about the function, I'm happy to be corrected.

I see what you mean. The passive/active switch ain't what its cracked up to be. However I don't plan on purchasing a bass that has that feature. I'm currently gassing for a passive 4-string bass. I plan to purchase a Fernandes atlas 4x. I own the atlas 5x(which is the 5-string version) and it sounded really awesome. I was really impressed by the sound quality. Since I'm impressed with the atlas 5x, I plan to buy the atlas 4x for my brother's band.

 

[frankieC]

I have a active/passive Carvin B50. Loads of fun with a wide range of voices. It's also fretless, and that adds another dimension to an already good piece. But, when it comes to the active vs. passive choice, my go to bass is still a passive Rick 4001 or my Fender PJ.

 

[davy4575]

Hi.

+1 for unplugging when You're not playing, and if the battery still doesn't last long, do check the current draw.

-1 for using rechargeable batteries, they just won't work satisfactorily.



Modify the power supply to allow voltage adjustment.
On some cases just dropping the voltage is not enough though, and You have to limit the current as well in order to mimic a dying battery.

Regards
Sam

Thanks, Ill try that. cool idea

 

[Belgand]

can you tell me what mid-priced brand of basses that has a passive/active switch? The Yamaha trbx basses are the only bass guitars I know that has that feature.

It depends on what you consider "mid-priced" to be. G&L L-2000 Tributes have an active/passive switch and can be had for about $500 used easily and less if you're searching out a deal. Only $650 new. Used USA models can often be found for about $700-800.

 

[Ken J]

I up graded the pic up to EMG active. The battery has been in here for over a year at this point.
Cort Action Junior fretless

 

[bachlover]

I bought this '88 Warwick Thumb NT last Sept. and found I was going through batteries every month. Yurned out the input jack was shorting out, replaced it and haven't had to replace any since. I'm getting a custom build started with an 18v preamp, until that's completed, the Thumb's my favorite active I own:

 

[Crystalman85]

It depends on what you consider "mid-priced" to be. G&L L-2000 Tributes have an active/passive switch and can be had for about $500 used easily and less if you're searching out a deal. Only $650 new. Used USA models can often be found for about $700-800.

around $400 to $800 is what I consider to be mid-priced. But I'm not planning to purchase a bass with passive/active switch. I'm currently gassing for passive basses.

 

[Maxdusty]

around $400 to $800 is what I consider to be mid-priced. But I'm not planning to purchase a bass with passive/active switch. I'm currently gassing for passive basses.

Currently doing the same (other than the Hohner Phoenix) I'm replacing some of my active basses with passive ones. Really love the bass I got before the Hohner- (a Fender JP90- excellent sound)

 

[Baird6869]

I buy 4 packs of Duracell or Energizers on sale for $8-9. Around $2 a battery is cheap IMO and even my heavily played #1 (18v active 5er) only goes thru a pair of batteries (it takes 2 9v's) every year.

If you cant get a few months out of a battery (even playing for 3-4 hours a day), there is likely something wrong with your bass.

 

[JIO]

I have an ibanez active bass and I love it.
Unless I find a fantastic bass that I just must have I think i will always buy active basses.

The one problem that everyone knows is that active bases use 9v batteries which become expensive.
Are rechargeable batteries an option?
Also I would love to hear/ see your favorite active basses.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

I own passive basses also, but here's my active stable; 2 modified basses w/G&L 2000 pu's/pre, Parker Hornet 5'r, Fender Jazz Plus (Kubicki pre), mongrel J (Audere JZ3 pre), Peavy B-Quad 4 fretless (coming tomorrow!), and a few of my customs; one w/John East pre another w/Aguilar OP-2 pre, and a third w/the Audere JZ3. In their own ways, they are all favorites. A couple have bypass switches, but I rarely change batteries as I'm pretty religious about unplugging whenever not playing, even during a short break.

 

[davy4575]

I have an old Yamaha rbx550, thats passive, my dean (i think its an edge but have never got a straight answer on it because it dosnt match any of the edge line, but thats a different thread lol) and then I have the spector classic legend 5 which has an active eq (tone pump jr) and I have the fender jazz that was mauled, the actives sound good enough in it, but its just that its a vintage axe and shouldnt have been modified in my opinion. so pics of the two active boys...

 

[MrLenny1]

I get a year out of my batteries. Unplug your cord when you're not playing!
Pedulla Series II Active
Stambaugh Resonance 5 Active-Aero Mag PU, Ghost Piezo
Tobias Classic 5 Active-Barts
Tobias Basic 5 Active-Barts

 

[edpal]

I'd recommend against using lithiums for one reason - their power curve. Lithiums hold and show good voltage until close to the end of their life. Problem is - they are losing amperage, which would be your minutes/hours until it goes flat. So a lithium that checks 8.5 volts could be 15 minutes away from the rapid downward slide, not making it to your second set. Alkalines at least have the "decency" of showing lower voltage as the amperage is dropping. This is why both lithiums and silver-oxide batteries are used in watches,car remotes, etc. - nobody can tolerate a half dead battery in those cases, it is all or nothing.

 

[Maxdusty]

On the active basses I do have, rather than use alkaline batteries, I just use heavy duty ones. They seem to work well and last a long time in those instruments not to mention they're cheaper than alkalines.

 

[JustForSport]

Rechargeable (alkaline) batteries typically don't hold a charge long, even when not being used. Good performance after charging, just don't expect anything after a week or so, and not much endurance at less than a week.
Good alkalines should last near a year- or longer.