I checked the newbie threads and found an "active vs. passive" thread, but it didn't answer the question I have. What do these words mean? What is an "active" bass and what is a "passive" bass. Thanks in advance.
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Active vs passive
- Thread starter greitzer
- Start date
Here is a post of mine that covers most of it. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1559218&postcount=37
Here is a thread on the subject. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42075&highlight=active+passive+preamp+pickups
Here is a thread on the subject. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42075&highlight=active+passive+preamp+pickups
try both these threads - the first one is in the newbie links, on the second page
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1559218&postcount=37
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131283&highlight=active+passive+preamp
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1559218&postcount=37
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131283&highlight=active+passive+preamp
Jeff's post explains the technical differences very nicely. Some people have preferences.
Today I prefer passive in general. In the past I've preferred active. You get a different sound out of the two, largely because on on-board active tone controls, but honestly you can probably do what the on-board tone controls are doing on your amp, so what else is there? Buffering for pickup blend so that there aren't any funny pickup interferences is nice.... Unless you like those funny pickup interferences...
It really depends on the bass. There's no way I'd want to get rid of the Prefix Plus on my Tacoma, but I wouldn't want an active circuit on my Jazz Bass. But that's just my opinion, it's more important to have a true understanding of what all the knobs do and how to work with that than to obsess about whether there's a battery in there.
Today I prefer passive in general. In the past I've preferred active. You get a different sound out of the two, largely because on on-board active tone controls, but honestly you can probably do what the on-board tone controls are doing on your amp, so what else is there? Buffering for pickup blend so that there aren't any funny pickup interferences is nice.... Unless you like those funny pickup interferences...
It really depends on the bass. There's no way I'd want to get rid of the Prefix Plus on my Tacoma, but I wouldn't want an active circuit on my Jazz Bass. But that's just my opinion, it's more important to have a true understanding of what all the knobs do and how to work with that than to obsess about whether there's a battery in there.
ive come to a liking of basses that are switchable between active and passive....also really helpful if the battery runs out halfway through a gig and you dont have a backup...real helpful
If you can get the sound you want with a passive bass, do that. The simpler your gear is the less trouble you will have with it.
