• 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

Which is your favorite and why.

  • Active

    Votes: 73 32.9%

  • Passive

    Votes: 148 66.7%

  • Both

    Votes: 1 0.5%
  • Total voters
    222
#61
It's really not an either/or proposition. Why not have both in one instrument? Not all active basses have a truly passive mode, but some do. In such basses when switched to passive mode the preamp is bypassed and there is a passive tone control, just like a stock passive P-bass. Switch into active mode and you can have 2 or 3 band EQ with boost or cut functions. I set up my P-bass to be completely passive, just like stock, in one mode and when switched to active it kicks in a two-band boost only active circuit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mili and Element Zero
#62
I didn't vote because there is no "both" choice.

I love my active basses because of their full sound, their built-in compression and their on-board EQ, allowing quick tonal changes on the fly.

I love my passive basses (all equipped with single-coil pickups) because of their fast attack, their simple & reliable electronics and their purity of tone.

There is most definitely a time & place for each.
 
#63
countrybass5 said:
Not having ever played an active bass I am asking for advice.
Click to expand...
I voted passive, but I'd rather have had an option for "both". I prefer a passive P-Bass, but nowadays I play an active Yamaha BBNE2 because 1) I can dial-in a tone very close to a P-Bass, and 2) I have lots of other options beyond that. For a bassist that plays a wide variety of styles/genres in one show, options are good.
 
#65
I guess I don't really understand active instruments. Having played acoustic guitar first, then electric, and now bass - it seems unnecessary to me to have an onboard preamp, when I have lots of preamp, effect and tonal control options further down the chain.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mili
#67
countrybass5 said:
Thanks for the remarks...I'm learning a lot from Talkbass...I'm looking to order a bass in October.It will be my last chance to get a bass so I want to get one I can play a few years then pass down to my grandson. I am into Country...he is into rock and metal. I hope I can find a bass that will cover both.
Click to expand...
I play country, rock and metal on a p-bass… strung with flats! But I'm kind of weird so…

Like others have said, an active bass with a bypass switch (to go passive) would be your best choice. G&L basses sound great in both modes.

countrybass5 said:
Your prediction is correct so far...why do you think most players prefer passive?
Click to expand...
Just from observation. Active basses were all the rage in the 80's and 90's. Recently, there's been renewed interest in good old Fender-style basses. Most players will use both.

We held a festival last weekend in my town. Of seven bands, five bassists used Fender-style passive basses.
 
#69
I like the versatility of an active bass. I'm currently using a Sire P7 V, which can switch between active and passive. Between that pre-amp and the pickups, there are a lot of tone options....none of which I use. I run it passive, with the pickup blend semi-permanently set on the Precision pickup. Prior to this bass, I was using Fender USA Deluxe Jazz V, which was also switchable between active/passive. It, too, was used exclusively in passive mode.

I keep my amp set mostly flat, too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen
#71
I have one of each. I voted passive as it's my main. My rack preamp is very true to the instrument's sound, it's just EQ option. I make up for what the passive bass lacks or has too much of with the pre. I am a set it and forget it guy. I rely on my fingers (technique and placement) to shape the tone.

I once lost a custom preamp during a session. It forever changed my perception of active. The lack of ability to get the exact preamp, and it's color palette clouded my view of the bass. It's sound was too tied to the preamp. After several hundred dollars going through 10+ preamps, I sold one of the best basses I ever owned.

My active bass slams, but I just prefer the passive tone. It comes out for 1 group where the band leader, a bass player, insists on a 4.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mili
#72
I have a slight preference for passive, but I do own and love active as well (just one at the moment, a Fender Jazz with Sadowsky preamp). Not really into tweaking on the fly, but I appreciate an active buffer and how it allows me to use long cables and pedal chains without damaging the signal too much
 
#73
I have been playing actives since the early 90's. I love being able to make small tweaks right from my bass on the fly. The tone is more solid and defined for me. I recently started using a passive J style (MTD Saratoga) bass that I upgraded with Bartolinis for a 3 piece "light" project I'm doing. I really wanted a more organic tone for this. and I use a small amp and a 1x12 cab.... pretty quiet gigs. It's OK for that, but I tried it for a full band rock & roll gig and I was missing my active bass very quickly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Element Zero
#74
My two Fender passive basses (P & J) have served me well over the years as I use a preamp/DI, where all my tone-shaping is done.

That said, my latest acquisition is an active 5-string HH, which has its own tone-shaping capabilities, which may come in hand in certain situations. One thing I did want to make sure is my new bass can switch between passive and active.
 
#75
Nearly all instruments have passive pickups. Let that sink in.

From there, you have a signal chain with several gain stages going to whatever you are feeding; which could be a recording device, a PA, or a dedicated amp, or any combination. Putting one of those gain stages in the instrument is mainly a convenience for the player to allow some adjustment without walking over to the next preamp.

So, almost all of my instruments have onboard preamps.

The P Bass is one instrument where I would not tend to use an onboard preamp; because the signal coming out of that axe is already pretty much right. So, I suspect the indicated majority of passive votes somewhat reflects the current popularity of the P Bass.

Every player at one time or another should try to play an Alembic Series I or II bass. That pickup / preamp system ~45 years on remains the VOG sine qua non active onboard pickup system. Absolutely remarkable and not yet equaled.

Meanwhile, the more affordable onboard preamps have come a LONG ways, solving some of the tonal issues and delivering nice palettes for non P instruments.

We now have many great choices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: basscapes and Marihino
#76
Passive for me , I don't want to deal with the battery issue..besides I have this now, it's passive but can sound active if I want it too...
20180724_124651.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gizmot and Atshen
#78
Played a 76’ MM Stingray I purchased in the 80’s and then a 93’ I bought new up until my 1st Pbass I built in 2010. A passive Jazz Bass followed, then a new build (double reverse P’s) is passive. I now prefer the simplicity of a single tone knob and can get what I need to hear.

My next bass will probably have both options from Nordstand pre and pups. That may be your best option IMHO.
 
#79
Atshen said:
I didn't mean to say one is better than the other, just that passive is currently more popular, from what I've observed.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I took it wrong.

My current machine is active, I did not set out to buy active, yet it is fine. The next one needs to passive as it will be left in a travel trailer much of the time, needs to be sturdy and extremely inexpensive thus ruling out anything active. I should have kept my Yamaha that I dumped for $35.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back