Active or Passive Bass - Which do you Prefer?

[Jarrett]

I started this thread since there was no poll in the other. I'm interested to see how TB breaks out on this topic.

After making your choice, please comment on why.

 

[Duckwater]

If it sounds good, it is good.

 

[Jarrett]

I think I've always used active basses. I've had a couple of passive ones, but most of the time they don't get used when there is an active alternative. I do like the ability to switch to passive if the battery dies, but I've never had that happen at a gig.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I've owned two active, five passive. I think I'm more of a passive fan (my only bass is passive) but I'm sure I'll own another active someday.

 

[funkmangriff]

my main bass is active, and it does everything i want it to do (its a Lakland 44-02) Doesnt mean i dislike passive basses though, when i play in my 50's cover band i prefer to use a passive P bass.

I guess i choose active coz its more useful to me personally.

 

[Bassman720]

Ive owned 2 of each. I ended up recently loosing my feelings toward active. it just has a kind of dullness to it that i cant really describe. its a must have on my 6 string for sure. but i may soon be heading back to the 4 string game. Passive pickups just always give me the punch and snap that i'm looking for.

 

[fretlessguy]

If it sounds good, it is good.

I prefer active 5s and passive 4s. That's what sounds good to me, so I couldn't vote one way or the other.

 

[Askanios]

My first bass was active/passive Marcus Miller jazz bass, i dug the passive sound more, but eventually traded it in for my second bass. My second bass is a stingray, which is all active, and is an awesome instrument. I recently however got a Rickenbacker 4001 with some flats on it, and i am addicted to its passive tone. Depends on what you're into i guess, but right now my Rick is the best sounding to me.

 

[dudelove]

both

 

[WoB bass]

The basses I use are Spectors, one is all passive, the other has an active circuit with passive pickups and I love the power of that active circuit and the tonal range it has. Although i still love the mellowness of my all passive bass.

 

[ryanfenderbass]

Passive + flats + SVT til the end. I like the warm, chunky finger-style growl you can only get with a passive instrument.

I appreciate active electronics with the slap/technical/fusion crown though. Just not for me. YMMV, etc.

 

[pinrar]

I love my active/passive JB. I mostly play it in active mode, the passive mode has its own sound and knowing that it's there for me when the battery runs out is great (I have yet to play at a gig - I'm already stressed and paranoid that everything will go wrong, at least I know I have the passive mode by my side )

 

[Joe Nerve]

My favorte bass is my Big Al. I love that it can go active or passive. There is something that's a bit more earthy to my ears in passive basses, but it's not enough to push me over to the full time passive side. I love the tweaking control I get wtih active basses, and I only feel completely safe when I have a midrange control on board. Stages, rooms, and bands can differ enormously, and I want to have total control over how my bass sits and cuts through the mix. That's sometimes not possible with a passive bass.

 

[etechstan]

The first time I tried actives was just about the last time I played passives. I did end up buying a Squier should the need for something traditional came up.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Active electronics have matured and improved so much since their inception (i.e. Gibson RD Artist; the exception being Alembic which started off first-rate), that for me it's hard to ever go back to purely passive instruments. High-quality (there's the key factor) active electronics offer so many attractive advantages - such as no loss of high frequencies with long cable runs, improved sensitivity to touch, more tone-shaping options with onboard EQ - and on and on and on...

Let's face it: Technological progress is a hallmark of modern times. You can either accept its gifts and leverage its advantages...or you can become a bitter Luddite, stubbornly staring into the rear-view mirror of life...

MM

 

[madbassplaya]

I've never been able to shake the sound of a passive bass, especially a J with good pick ups. I strongly prefer passive. If the bass is active I like a passive option on it.

A preamp is handy but my amp has always proved it's worth in that area.

 

[Timmay on bass]

For rock, reggae, or old school soul (Motown, Stax, etc.), I definitely prefer passive. For more modern funk/R&B, gospel, or for fretless, I like active.

 

[Marko 1]

I have and appreciate both. I’m also kinda fickle, and whatever bass or cab or sound I’m into today will change in a few weeks…

or less.


I would like a bass with an active/passive option, though, but it’s not a biggie.

 

[Dave W]

There is no "both" option so I can't vote.

 

[electracoyote]

Both. It depends on the application. You play enough styles and eras you'll eventually come to appreciate both.