Active vs. Inactive

[BSGBass]

The two basses I own have active EMG pickups. I love my sound from them. When my band plays songs that require a tune-down, I play my guitar player's Squier. This is a one pickup, passive bass. I know I am not playing the best instrument in the world there, but the sound is much quieter. I have to turn my amp up just to get it back to where my active basses were.

I am considering getting another bass to replace that Squier and am inclined to go active again. Is there any reason why I should consider an inactive bass? Or more to the point, is there a reason I shouldn't rule inactive basses out?

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Active circuitry is typically higher output than passive circuitry. This is why some amps have a -15db cut for active basses.
You can also get HOT pickups for a passive bass, like Duncan Quarter Pound pickups in both J and P styles.

there is no reason why one should prefer one over the other, it’s a matter of taste.

 

[BSGBass]

Yeah, I learned the hard way a while ago about why that db cut exists on an amp. $700 later, I had a new amp setup.

 

[Riff Ranger]

My passive Precisions are noticeably hotter than my active ATKs, and the (passive) Magnabass pickups in my Westone Spectrum GT are hotter than both of them put together! Active doesn't necessarily mean higher output than passive.

 

[40Hz]

Is there any reason why I should consider an inactive bass? Or more to the point, is there a reason I shouldn't rule inactive basses out?

If you prefer active basses then stick to what you prefer. You don’t need a reason when it comes to personal preference.

 

[BSGBass]

If you prefer active basses then stick to what you prefer. You don’t need a reason when it comes to personal preference.

I agree. I just never had an inactive bass before. The one I use for a few songs is an $89 Squier so I am not sure I should base any opinions off of that. I have my eyes on a new Jackson that I understood to be passive, but the dealer here in town told me it is both with a switch to toggle between active and passive electronics.

Come to think of it, my old Yamaha Attitude also had a switch. I wonder if that is what it was for? I sold it before I got too familiar with how the bass itself functioned.

 

[40Hz]

I agree. I just never had an inactive bass before. The one I use for a few songs is an $89 Squier so I am not sure I should base any opinions off of that. I have my eyes on a new Jackson that I understood to be passive, but the dealer here in town told me it is both with a switch to toggle between active and passive electronics.

Come to think of it, my old Yamaha Attitude also had a switch. I wonder if that is what it was for? I sold it before I got too familiar with how the bass itself functioned.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. But what constitutes an advantage and what doesn't is really up to the individual bass player. I personally think that’s all less important than using what you’re happy playing and makes you sound good. Unless you have some clearly defined and compelling need to change what you play it’s silly to be perpetually chasing the “maybe this next thing is going to be something better” unicorn. Unless you just like to experiment. And that’s fine too. But it can also distract you from working on upping your game. And that’s something you don’t need to be constantly futzing around with gear to accomplish.

Or so I think anyway.

 

[dreamadream99]

I prefer active basses myself. I like having the tone controls at my fingers—rather than having to turn around and fiddle with the amp to change the tone.

 

[chadds]

My vocal coach says, “don’t let 14” separate you from the music.” The space between the heart and brain.
So what does this mean here? I’ve got an active that sounds amazing and a ‘57 P ri that also sounds amazing. They are completely different like apples and anvils. They don’t need to be anything alike. I reach for the one that makes the song perfect. Sometimes it’s one sometimes it’s the other. What does the music require? Being philosophical about passive vs active is a mental exercise. Music is only partially mental. That’s to get it played and communicated. What makes it memorable is the heart aspect.

 

[Kro]

Yeah, I learned the hard way a while ago about why that db cut exists on an amp. $700 later, I had a new amp setup.

IME usually it's just to decrease distortion... what amp did you fry, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[JZQuantum]

Get a passive P bass and call Lindy Frailin to make your custom wound passive pickups that match your needs. You can even talk directly to Lindy on the phone and he will tell you what you need.

 

[getBAK]

There's a strong argument to be made for passive basses in that
1) Less finger noise
2) You will get a better sound with an external preamp (Like a SansAmp BDDI) than you could from an onboard preamp with space restrictions
3) No battery to crap out on you.

That said
All of the basses I currently own are active, but I'm not married to it. In fact my next bass (5-string P-style) will probably be passive

 

[Kro]

There's a strong argument to be made for passive basses in that
1) Less finger noise
2) You will get a better sound with an external preamp (Like a SansAmp BDDI) than you could from an onboard preamp with space restrictions
3) No battery to crap out on you.

1.
2. You can also use something like a SansAmp with an active bass...
3. I'll give you that one

I say this as somebody who's current #1 is a passive, but has an appreciation for both.

 

[TheReceder]

Get a G&L l2000 and have the versatility of playing active and passive with a broad range of tone

 

[ChrisBowsman]

Since no one else has made this lame-ass joke...

All 3 of my basses, even the one with an EMG P pickup, are inactive at the moment. Think I'm gonna go downstairs and rectify that.

 

[sheltjo6]

The two basses I own have active EMG pickups. I love my sound from them. When my band plays songs that require a tune-down, I play my guitar player's Squier. This is a one pickup, passive bass. I know I am not playing the best instrument in the world there, but the sound is much quieter. I have to turn my amp up just to get it back to where my active basses were.

I am considering getting another bass to replace that Squier and am inclined to go active again. Is there any reason why I should consider an inactive bass? Or more to the point, is there a reason I shouldn't rule inactive basses out?

G&L MFD pickups. The loudest passive pickups I’ve used.

 

[red_rhino]

My vocal coach says, “don’t let 14” separate you from the music.” The space between the heart and brain.
So what does this mean here? I’ve got an active that sounds amazing and a ‘57 P ri that also sounds amazing. They are completely different like apples and anvils. They don’t need to be anything alike. I reach for the one that makes the song perfect. Sometimes it’s one sometimes it’s the other. What does the music require? Being philosophical about passive vs active is a mental exercise. Music is only partially mental. That’s to get it played and communicated. What makes it memorable is the heart aspect.

Can I Like that twice?

Same. I have an active Tobias and a passive Fender P. Love them both, different animals.

Having both, one easily learns how to quickly make the adjustments required for gain, EQ, etc, when switching between the two.

To the OP's original question: There's no reason to be overly concerned about active vs passive. Go with whatever makes you most comfortable and achieves the purpose for getting that second bass.

 

[Kro]

My passive Precisions are noticeably hotter than my active ATKs, and the (passive) Magnabass pickups in my Westone Spectrum GT are hotter than both of them put together! Active doesn't necessarily mean higher output than passive.

After re-reading the OP, I'm quoting this for truth. My passive Precision with stock pups is the hottest bass I own (including my Stingray 5). I recommend that a number of basses be tested and the most preferred one be chosen regardless of whether the bass is active or passive.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Active circuitry is typically higher output than passive circuitry. This is why some amps have a -15db cut

Oddly, I have never found this to be true. One of my QUIETEST basses is "active". Actually, my hottest is one of my passive Ps. Weird, huh?

 

[Riff Ranger]

Oddly, I have never found this to be true. One of my QUIETEST basses is "active". Actually, my hottest is one of my passive Ps. Weird, huh?

Except that it isn’t—this describes three of us already in this not-too-long-as-of-yet thread