Basses with passive humbucker pickups?

Warwick Rockbass Corvette Double Buck. I just picked one up myself. I don't care for active either.

 

Almost all pickups are passive.
Unless the pickups have their own separate battery source,like EMG actives,they are passive.

This should have been posted in Pickups and electronics.

 

Not too many options I'm aware of for 100% passive. I was looking around for the same results a while back and it can be tough cause there always seems to be a catch (pickups looking like humbuckers, but actually aren't, etc.). Tbh my first thought was thunderbird, but I see that was quickly ruled out. My second was the blacktop P bass. Also, I think one of the oddball Rickenbackers technically have humbuckers, 4004(?).

I'd suggest any of the Aria basses, whether old or new with the "MB" style pickups (some were made totally passive). Though they're another that some people seem unsure of what to consider them since some have pole pieces arranged similar to a P.

Last but not least, if you don't mind having single humbucker bass there is the (G&L) kiloton. Still has some variation of tone w/the switch despite being passive/lone buck..

 

Yup, active pickups are pretty rare.

 

are you also referring to basses with active EQs and passive pickups?

 

Precision bass guitars use split-coil hum-buckers.

 

I know OP wants to look elsewhere but I suggest a try on an Epiphone Rumblekat bass.

 

Fender Roscoe Beck

 

G&L Kiloton?

 

G&L L2000, of course.
I haven't used the active switch on mine since the day I bought it.

Other than that, Reverend Thundergun or Mercalli.
Passive, pure and potent.

SPLIT BRICK NECK
Strong lows and highs, open mids. Like a vintage P bass pickup but with more beef, yet retains clarity. 43 gauge wire, ceramic magnet, 8.5K ohms.

THICK BRICK BRIDGE
Warm and thick with strong mids. Output and punch like an active, but more organic sounding. 42 gauge wire, ceramic magnet, 7K ohms.

I just took my mine out of the case today and took it for a spin...maybe a dozen songs.
That was right after lunch and I'm still feeling it!

 

Jazz bass with Dimarzio?

 

To clarify, i think you are referring to passive electronics on a double coil humbucker (instead of a split coil).

With that in mind, its not that common. On their own, this style of pickup sounds a bit bland and one dimensional, imo. Honestly, I find them bland even with active electronics, but w/e. Anyway:

gsr 100
G&l kiloton
G&l L2000 with switch to passive
Sire m2/3/7 with switch to passive

Im sure there’s more, but thats what I can think of right now.

 

grab a jazz bass and pop some Joe Barden pickups in there:

 

I'll 2nd the suggestion of the Reverend Mercalli, all passive with a p style split hb in the neck and a full hb in the bridge position.

 

1) Your pickups are likely already passive. You just don't like the added active preamp. Maybe install a different preamp?

2) Kiesel basses can be ordered with 100% passive humbuckers, whether they be split single coil, soapbars, or Music Man shape. Lots of options there.

Custom Shop USA Basses | KieselGuitars.com

 

I have just put a Curtis Novak BS DS in a P bass it’s awesome, few more bits and it will be done

 

Early '70's Fender Telecaster basses had a humbucker in the neck position. The Modern Player series reissue has that plus an added humbucker near the bridge. Lots of power and low end, even with the tone dimed.

 

Quite a few, actually. These are just some of the ones I own, that I have passable pictures of. I didn't show my 2 Gibsons, since you said you didn't care for them... I think you may need to look just a teeny bit harder...

 

Since you don't want a Gibby I'll say PRS Kingfisher.