• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME...

O

olibass123

May 11, 2009
17
0
#1
IVE HEARD ONLY GREAT THINGS OF ACTIVE BASSES, BUT ARE THERE ARE ANY DISADVANTAGES?

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THE PROS AND CONS OF AN ACTIVE BASS COMPARED TO A PASSIVE..


Im interested in getting the fender p bass active deluxe special

Thanks!
 
#3
A quality active bass has no real downside--if you can't cover the passive-tone ground of that class of bass with the active version, it's not quality. (Excluding basses designed to not be able to sound like a passive, of course. I'm talking the general case.)

Batteries are a CoDB. Insignificant to me considering the versatility received in return.

An active Fender is an excellent choice. I prefer MIA.
 
#4
I mostly play active, but I still loves passive, too. With a big boost overdrive/distortion, etc., passive is a better choice - doing that with an active bass at full on, you can really overload the input of your amp & it don't sound so pretty good anymore. Active batteries are not a problem.
 
#5
batteries, back up bass, and a friend <not girlfriend> who can understand how to change the battery whilst you are still playing said backup bass. i have an active and it never fails to fail at a gig. love the tone, but i play my geddy at most gigs now and have the active drop tuned and play it twice a show. i noticed my batteries now last longer...oh and dont leave it plugged in while you are on break.
 
#6
caps_lock.jpg

Batteries are the only real problem,but even then a good battery lasts quite a while,just don't leave your bass plugged in. It's also all a matter of tastes in sound,some people hate active instruments.
 
#7
irishryno said:
batteries, back up bass, and a friend <not girlfriend> who can understand how to change the battery whilst you are still playing said backup bass. i have an active and it never fails to fail at a gig. love the tone, but i play my geddy at most gigs now and have the active drop tuned and play it twice a show. i noticed my batteries now last longer...oh and dont leave it plugged in while you are on break.
Click to expand...

Or an active/passive switch *smugmode*
 
#8
All preamps are not created equal. Some of the cheaper ones just sound bad IME. A good preamp, though gives increased tonal options at your fingertips. I like a nice, hot signal, as well.

Options on a preamp I especially like:
1. Active/passive switch
2. Internal trim pot to adjust output
3. passive tone control in active mode (like the sadowsky VTC or passive tone control on a Fender Jaguar)

All that said, I'm pretty happy playing a passive bass, too. :)
 
#10
Whoever decided once upon a time that CAPS LOCK is equal to shouting at someone was an overly sensitive cyber-nerd recluse. The whole silly thing makes no sense. In my *cough, cough* MOST humble opinion, everyone in cyber space needs to get over it and stop being so pansy-a** sensitive about CAPS LOCK. :spit:
Besides, capital letters don't sound any louder when I type them than the lower case do. :D

As you can see, my personality is not very passive but I like to play passive instruments. :p
 
#11
totallyfrozen said:
Whoever decided once upon a time that CAPS LOCK is equal to shouting at someone was an overly sensitive cyber-nerd recluse. The whole silly thing makes no sense. In my *cough, cough* MOST humble opinion, everyone in cyber space needs to get over it and stop being so pansy-a** sensitive about CAPS LOCK. :spit:
Besides, capital letters don't sound any louder when I type them than the lower case do. :D

As you can see, my personality is not very passive but I like to play passive instruments. :p
Click to expand...
THE REASON IT'S ANNOYING IS IT TAKES UP MORE SPACE THAN NECCESARY, TAKING MORE EFFORT TO READ, SO MOST OF US COMPLAIN. SEE?

The reason it's annoying is it takes up more space than neccesary, taking more effort to read, so most of us complain. See?
 
#12
irishryno said:
batteries, back up bass, and a friend <not girlfriend> who can understand how to change the battery whilst you are still playing said backup bass. i have an active and it never fails to fail at a gig. love the tone, but i play my geddy at most gigs now and have the active drop tuned and play it twice a show. i noticed my batteries now last longer...oh and dont leave it plugged in while you are on break.
Click to expand...


But it is cool when your girfriend DOES know how to change a battery!

:hiding:
 
#13
not just the battery, but GETTING to it. i used actives for years and tons of gigs, but most of my basses just had the battery under the pickguard with no special route/cavity. if i had to do it again, i would make me a special, quick access cavity and always have an extra battery. nothing like trying to do bass repairs in the dark on the fly in a dive.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back