Active for sure, gives me more control over my sound at the source. My amp basically stays flat and I tweak the tone on the bass end. Plus active I feel gives you a fuller sound. Even my passive basses I run through a Sadowsky preamp pedal.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Curiosity
- Thread starter countrybass5
- Start date
I like both. My #1 happens to be active, but that is just becuase it's a great bass. Having a bass with a pre-amp that allow to go from Active to Passive it's really nice and will solve your problems.
Not an expert in coutry music myself, but if I understand correctly a lot of it nowadays it's done with active basses, so that will cover you since metal is also fertile ground for active basses.
That being said, you can never go wrong with a passive bass
Thanks for the comments...sounds like a bass that has both is a good way to go.
I own both. My latest one, a PJ Knuckle is passive. My old workhorse is a 25+ year old Carvin active JJ. Go figure. I can get exactly the tone I want with the amp, but sometimes it is difficult to walk all the way back over there to make an adjustment. 
Don't over think this.
Don't over think this.
I've played both and I prefer passive basses. I just like the simplicity of the passive bass and they just sound better IMO. I don't like having to fiddle with an active EQ.
It depends on how much control I have over the amplification. If I’m going to a gig where the back line is provided, I take an active bass so I have a better chance of dialing in the tone I want. If I’m using my rig, I prefer passive. Mostly for the K.I.S.S. factor.
I prefer passive basses. The simpler the circuit, the less chance of failure. I would rather have a P through a versatile amp than an active bass through a blah amp. Tone can be adjusted through playing technique as well as passive controls, so I never saw the need to employ an active bass. I do own one, a '92 Carvin LB70. I never got comfortable enough with it to use it very often. Too bad, it's a beautiful bass, but between it being styled loosely on a Jazz Bass (another model I never could get used to) and the 24 fret neck, I was always looking down thinking "what the..". There are many players of active basses that can make them sing. I'm not among them.
I didn't vote for either or because, despite owning plenty of the current variety, push pull, mid-detent separating passive from active, I will never forget the time I was sitting and waiting my turn to get on stage at a popular Los Angeles suburb open mic when the host and bassist stopped in the middle of a song to announce that he needs to change his battery. The entire audience waited patiently while watching him turn 4 screws and swap out his battery. I vowed to NEVER own an active bass.
Things are different now but the lesson learned remains the same:
Don't play gigs that don't pay enough to cover the cost of a new 9 volt battery or two.
I'm going to think about it more after my girlfriend stops shouting about nothing, then I will probably vote active, after I play my Jack Casady bass for a while. .....or maybe passive.........hmmmmmmmm, Jack did prove a point .
Things are different now but the lesson learned remains the same:
Don't play gigs that don't pay enough to cover the cost of a new 9 volt battery or two.
I'm going to think about it more after my girlfriend stops shouting about nothing, then I will probably vote active, after I play my Jack Casady bass for a while. .....or maybe passive.........hmmmmmmmm, Jack did prove a point .
All but one of my basses are active. It sits, unused... even though I often use my active basses in passive mode.
I voted passive bc that’s my fave bass right now.
10% Fralin overwound Js are cheating tho, they’re stupid hot.
10% Fralin overwound Js are cheating tho, they’re stupid hot.
I used to only play active basses, then I got a good deal on a passive bass that became my #1. I don't feel like I'm missing out by not having an onboard preamp. I've got more tone shaping than I need on my pedal board.
I am surprised that most are voting passive. I guess it depends on how much eq.you need. I think I would rather eq. from the guitar. I don't usually use any pedals. Maybe I should invest in some type of eq. pedal.
I vote Passive. I like Natural and Organic sounding and if i need boost or tone shaping i prefer external preamps.
Your prediction is correct so far...why do you think most players prefer passive?
Which pedals do you use? Which do you recommend to someone who is not familiar with iq pedals?
I prefer active. Passive is fine too. If there were a couple more choices in the poll I would have voted "both" or "active leaning."
