active > passive

[Tim Skaggs]

I’ve had both active and passive for years (decades, actually) but I’m with KBD in that I’ve never been able to get the same grunt and bark out of an active configuration that I can out of a passive bass. I’m guessing an active rig exists that will get the tone I’m after, but it’s so easy to get what I want from a passive rig. I will say that I can get some cool tones out of a solo’d bridge pickup with an active rig, but I can get much the same tone out of a passive rig if I turn around and adjust the amp. And with that comment, I reveal the thing where I think active basses shine the brightest; tone shaping from the mic....

 

[/\/\3phist0]

G&L, best of both, all controls passive.
Preamp is a signal boost, and on tap treble boost,

 

[Hounddog409]

I stick with passives. Less things to worry about.

Yup. The less stuff on the bass is better.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Here's a question. I just got a 2002 (I think) MIM Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V. First time I plugged it in it sounded great, but I noticed one thing: my MXR compressor wasn't doing anything. No LEDs on the meter no matter how hard I played. I turned the Input up on the pedal and off we go. But can anyone tell me why this bass, supposedly active, would be putting a much lower signal into my chain than my passive Warwick?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Folks assume Active means high-output, but it's just not true.

G&L's MFD pickups are higher output than most & they are completely passive.

Heck, my cheapo GSR100EX has a 100% passive, higher-output signal than some of the active basses I've owned:

GSR100EX in the sun

• Killed_by_Death
• Jun 26, 2019
• 2
• ibanez

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Hey, I have a question that maybe doesn't need its own thread now that y'all are right here. I have owned two active basses. But it's my inclination to run them with their active EQ settings flat. Like, religiously. I do not move them, ever. So my question is: Is there any benefit to having an active bass if you never use the EQ? Does it give higher signal strength even if you leave it all flat? And what's the benefit of higher signal strength anyway?

Why am I better off with my Fender Jazz being active rather than passive? If I am...

It makes a difference if the flatpoint on the eq is an outcome of the sum of the parts, if the pickups are low impedance with a weak output / makes it necessary. The output need not be higher. The eq if flat at center is one thing , but often the detents are not flat.
The pre may be transparent or heavily colored. Shrug.

The Cort GB75JH pictured below had a serviceable 2 band pre but the bass sounded scooped, indistinct wooly lows with brittle highs--
Converted all passive.
Updated pups: SD QP neck Aguilar DCB-M5.
VVTB (Vol+Vol+[passive treb / bass cut] )
With the right pots with a taper and a value you like the tone of, with the pickups (250/ 500k Lin vs log etc)
(I selected 500k LIN-Volume/ 500k Audio tone / 1Meg rev log bass cut)
If pickups are multicoil , tapping, mixing coils, series / parallel.
Add a rotary pickup selector.
Add a tonestyler or a Varitone.
Or like I did, a Passive Bass cut circuit.
2 push pull pots on order for parallel /series and a tone bypass parallel straight to jack.
Kick booty now-- hyper dynamic (felt compressed before)
Fun times.

 

[sikamikanico]

I find all the flexibility I need in passive basses, and tend to prefer the tones too.

That said, I wouldn’t rule out active electronics forever. Probably wouldn’t use cut/boost eq again, rather filters instead. Or maybe just a simple buffer or flat boost, if necessary.

 

[Davbassdude]

As stated before, I only have passive (mostly vintage) basses, but I've had my eyes and hands on an EBMM Sterling bass at the local GC. If they drop the price from $299 to $249, I'm taking it home and sneaking it past my wife (I have a few instruments that don't get played as much as others)! Then I'll have a nice active beater bass.

 

[Element Zero]

Here's a question. I just got a 2002 (I think) MIM Fender Deluxe Active Jazz V. First time I plugged it in it sounded great, but I noticed one thing: my MXR compressor wasn't doing anything. No LEDs on the meter no matter how hard I played. I turned the Input up on the pedal and off we go. But can anyone tell me why this bass, supposedly active, would be putting a much lower signal into my chain than my passive Warwick?

Active does not mean high output. SOME active preamps can have an attenuator to adjust the output too.

 

[juancaminos]

Funny I was just looking on line today for a little light that I could mount in the pickguard to tell/remind my that the system is on. Kind of a "hey unplug the bass" dummy light. While I was at it I was looking for a battery life indicator small enough to mount somewhere as well. Is there such a thing?

 

[David Demby]

I have a passive P bass with flats and an active Jazz with rounds. I think that's the right way around for me.

That would be me as well

 

[bumperbass]

The problem with continually unplugging your bass to save the battery on a bass with a barrel-type jack, is that this type of jack wears out too soon as it is, not even counting the additional wear of plugging and unplugging.
I do not like barrel jacks.
Just my $.01.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I also appreciate the extra oompf actives provide, I have an play both though! A really robust active bass blows a passive bass out of the water for me, my Jaguar deluxe can do pretty much anything.

 

[Jeb]

I had a solder joint break in the battery compartment at a very critical moment while doing a swap. So passive.

 

[Maxdusty]

Funny I was just looking on line today for a little light that I could mount in the pickguard to tell/remind my that the system is on. Kind of a "hey unplug the bass" dummy light. While I was at it I was looking for a battery life indicator small enough to mount somewhere as well. Is there such a thing?

My Hohner headless has a red led light that lets you know when the bass is in active mode. I think it goes off only when you switch it to passive or pull the cord out. Haven't used the bass in a while. However, I'll say this, don't put the light on the front of the bass, it can be pretty distracting lol.

The Yamaha TRBX504/5 does have an led light on the back panel that alerts you when the battery's running low.

 

[Passinwind]

Funny I was just looking on line today for a little light that I could mount in the pickguard to tell/remind my that the system is on. Kind of a "hey unplug the bass" dummy light. While I was at it I was looking for a battery life indicator small enough to mount somewhere as well. Is there such a thing?

Audere sells 'em: Audere Audio Battery Meter.

 

[roccobass]

Started on passive way back when. Tried out and tried to like the active side. Just couldn't dig it.
Prefer passive for the simplicity.

 

[Ric5]

Active basses + Passives basses = Happiness

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've had a lot of both passive, and active basses. I prefer the former.

 

[NoSlapForYou]

I like them both and I hope some day to own both.