Curious who believes active electronics are important in a bass and to their sound. ... I have 10 electric basses, (9-Fender) and only one has active electronics. ... I used to think they were important, 40-years ago, now I have a good amp and let it do the work and I concentrate on playing and not if I should've changed that 9 volt.
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Active Electronics ... Important?
- Thread starter Acoop
- Start date
You left out:
- I prefer active, but also like passive.
Or
- I like them both, depends on the bass.
- I prefer active, but also like passive.
Or
- I like them both, depends on the bass.
Active electronics are good if your amp won't go to 11.
I give them zero consideration. I've had active basses I like, I've had passive basses I've liked and vice versa. I try not to come to a bass with preconceived notions.
actives are good, passives are good...they're all good! 
practice a lot and they all sound good, too!
if you're a die hard "tone chaser" an active ax might be the better choice.
practice a lot and they all sound good, too!if you're a die hard "tone chaser" an active ax might be the better choice.
My two favorite basses are quite different from each other electronically. One has a single pickup with one knob that makes quieter and one that makes it less trebley. The other has two pickups, a toggle switch, three band active EQ, pan pot, etc. I've owned the for decades (one since 1983, one since 1999). Neither was purchased because it did or did not have active electronics. It wasn't a consideration at all.
The poll lacks the "Stop thinking about this stuff, and go practice!" option.
It depends on your needs. Even with active basses I use the EQ sparingly preferring to use the amp EQ.
I’m rather partial to filter systems though because the are simple, low pass systems that do a little more than a passive tone.
I’m rather partial to filter systems though because the are simple, low pass systems that do a little more than a passive tone.
My first bass was a passive Aria Pro II Integra. It sounded like a wet turd. Then I borrowed a Peavey Dynabass with 3-band eq, then bought a Stingray with 3-band eq. All I had were active basses for 22 years.
Then I got a Jazz bass and nothing made sense any more...
Then I got a Jazz bass and nothing made sense any more...
To me it’s important for a 5 string. For a 4 string not so much.
Not as important as the right color and a matching headstock.
I know it sounds srange, but the very idea of putting PP3 batteries into a musical instrument just seems wrong to me now.
I used to swear by active, even having 2 x PP3s for 18 volt circuits in some of my basses but I noticed a long time ago that all I ever did was boost the bass a little and boost the treble a little less than that. It then occured to me that I could just do this on the amp / preamp pedal and totally do away with the whole active thing. It also stops double eq-ing: first on the bass, second on the amp itself.
I also like using a passive tone to roll off finger noise and brightness -and these aren't always found on active basses.
I used to swear by active, even having 2 x PP3s for 18 volt circuits in some of my basses but I noticed a long time ago that all I ever did was boost the bass a little and boost the treble a little less than that. It then occured to me that I could just do this on the amp / preamp pedal and totally do away with the whole active thing. It also stops double eq-ing: first on the bass, second on the amp itself.
I also like using a passive tone to roll off finger noise and brightness -and these aren't always found on active basses.
I prefer the way passive basses sound with my pedals. If I was going straight into an amp, I'd be perfectly happy with either.
Even now with my preference, I'd take a great active bass over an okay passive. It isn't anywhere near a deal breaker for me.
Even now with my preference, I'd take a great active bass over an okay passive. It isn't anywhere near a deal breaker for me.
It really depends on whether you are going for the traditional / old-school vibe or the modern sound.
I like how more and more active onboard systems are incorporating a passive tone control - good way to get the best of both worlds IMHO.
I like how more and more active onboard systems are incorporating a passive tone control - good way to get the best of both worlds IMHO.
The paranoia around here regarding 9-volt batteries running out is nothing short of hilarious.
Maybe try a passive/active switching bass?
I like my basses better without preamps. I guess that makes me a pacifist.
You'd think guys would sit straight up in bed in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, waiting for the room to quit spinning, while the image of a Duracell 9v slowly faded as they realized they're safe in their bed . . . . it's amazing to me how much anxiety this provokes.
I played active basses for years. I'd simply replace them every six months or so, and for eight bucks a year, it was just not an issue, especially as few active circuits suddenly just die. All of mine would slowly lose output, or would begin to exhibit a little noise/distortion as the battery faded. So just routinely changing them twice a year fixed that.
They're certainly not a must have, though I do prefer a true low-impedance pickup plus active tone like EMG or Alembic, not as fond of traditional pickups hooked up to active tone, where to me you lose half the advantages of low or no noise. There's certainly lots of great all-passive setups and it's simply a choice with the only right answer is what works best for you.
^^^^This^^^^^
But I actually put down cringe, because that's exactly what I did to my 81 G&L L-1000.......
I like active but I like passive too. My workhorse instrument has a hey nice preamp that I set and forget for most of the night. The only controls I normally touch are mids and pickup balance. And I guess volume if necessary.
Never got the fuss about batteries. I carry an extra and when they sound funky they get replaced.
