Active pickup question

[Dirk Rockbottom]

I'm unclear about active pickups. I have an Ibanez Sr 300X with a p-bass style split coil in the neck position and a jazz style single coil in the bridge position. The bass has a 9-volt battery inside. Are the pickups themselves active or is there preamp that makes the bass active? I'm thinking of upgrading the pickups and want to make sure I understand what's what before spending the money. In otherwords, do I buy active pickups or passive pickups?

 

[MonetBass]

Typically, and I'm sure is the case with your Ibanez, the pickups are passive. The active part that requires the battery is the preamp.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Thanks. That's kind of what I was thinking but wanted to verify. The bass is a little thin sounding overall. Hoping to make it sound a little beefier.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Thanks. That's kind of what I was thinking but wanted to verify. The bass is a little thin sounding overall. Hoping to make it sound a little beefier.

In my experience all Ibanez SR basses need a bump in the low end. I just made it a habit of running my amp's EQ that way. Or you could make it a habit to run the bass knob on the guitar a little past the center detent.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

In my experience all Ibanez SR basses need a bump in the low end. I just made it a habit of running my amp's EQ that way. Or you could make it a habit to run the bass knob on the guitar a little past the center detent.

Yes, that has been my experience as well. I actually set the bass knob all the way up and the treble at about 3/4. Thanks.

 

[Riff Ranger]

As said already, the stock pickups themselves are almost definitely passive; but you could replace them with either active or passive pickups. Active pickups have preamps inside of them which require power, but your bass is already set up for that; as long as pickups will fit the cavities in your bass, they’re options for you.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

As said already, the stock pickups themselves are almost definitely passive; but you could replace them with either active or passive pickups. Active pickups have preamps inside of them which require power, but your bass is already set up for that; as long as pickups will fit the cavities in your bass, they’re options for you.

Good to know. Thanks