I definitely prefer passive. I had an American Fender Elite P and I actually would remove the batteries (it took two 9Vs, which is just crazy) because I found the active/passive switch was more useful as a mute switch, hah. I just never really liked the active sound that much and found that I was chasing the tone I already had with my standard American P, so I sold it. I have had other active basses, but I always get rid of them because it's just just not my thing I suppose.
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Do I simply prefer passive?
- Thread starter -Asdfgh-
- Start date
I like having the choice but it depend on the bass as to which I favour. My Fenders have both modes and I use everything it offers equally. My Overwater has both but I'm always on active. My Spector is just active but has a very wide tonal range.
I have a pre-amp in my amplifier.....don't need one in my bass too. It just overcomplicates things, and it's just another point of failure.
I've pulled actives out of basses that I liked once I decided I was going to keep them. TBH, I wont purchase a bass with actives anymore.
I've pulled actives out of basses that I liked once I decided I was going to keep them. TBH, I wont purchase a bass with actives anymore.
it slips up on you!i think it's funny that you'd associate passive axes with "fogey"-ness, but i guess that's a real thing, huh? i did not get a memo to that effect!
i love my passive axes, and i've always loved my actives.....i guess i love 'em all!
i voted "all of the above." 
Trust me. It happens whether you want it to or not. More than likely a lot sooner than you expected it.
OK you like passive basses. I'm not sure why one would ask me about their preferences. But IMO,the whole point of the exercise is to get the sound you want out of instrument. Once you do for me, that is the end of the discussion. Enjoy what you have.
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No best bass. I’m glad you know what is best for you. There are great sounding passive and active basses and also the opposite. So Rock what you love!
I'm talking mostly about the preamp being in the amp, but I do have other preamps I can stack before the amp with the passive instruments, and currently I am enjoying the sound of passive straight to amp or passive through additional preamp to amp more than active direct to amp.
Wonder how many 'passive only' players have a preamp pedal or any buffered pedal between Bass and Amp?
I like having the choice as with TrevorG but playing passive basses for 35 years before having active Basses EBMM Reflex and now Ultra Precision; I have a soft spot for passives general character mainly for late 60's to late 70's Classic Rock similar to Tube vs SS but I also like no tone loss with cable length and volume adjustment, away from full on, being able to make small more precision tweaks [than tone control] without going to my amp and in the dark hope I am turning right knob
I would not have a problem owning any EBMM Stingray or other great 'Active Only' Basses
As for battery worry that sounds like a user's problem not battery problem
I like having the choice as with TrevorG but playing passive basses for 35 years before having active Basses EBMM Reflex and now Ultra Precision; I have a soft spot for passives general character mainly for late 60's to late 70's Classic Rock similar to Tube vs SS but I also like no tone loss with cable length and volume adjustment, away from full on, being able to make small more precision tweaks [than tone control] without going to my amp and in the dark hope I am turning right knob
I would not have a problem owning any EBMM Stingray or other great 'Active Only' Basses
As for battery worry that sounds like a user's problem not battery problem
passive >
"faff" is a great word for active basses - it's extra, it is for those who like to fiddle, and for me it gets in the way. I want as few gain stages and opportunities for farty sounds as possible in my signal.
from a "budget bassist" perspective, too, a cheap passive bass (even a Squier P) sounds a thousand times better through an amp AND through the PA than a cheap active bass. sounds way more like an instrument and way less like hot messy zing, and you'll have a much easier time finding a natural, cozy place in the mix with your bandmates.
"faff" is a great word for active basses - it's extra, it is for those who like to fiddle, and for me it gets in the way. I want as few gain stages and opportunities for farty sounds as possible in my signal.
from a "budget bassist" perspective, too, a cheap passive bass (even a Squier P) sounds a thousand times better through an amp AND through the PA than a cheap active bass. sounds way more like an instrument and way less like hot messy zing, and you'll have a much easier time finding a natural, cozy place in the mix with your bandmates.
Don't agree. My budget Ibanez SR206 sounds great and I have several more expensive 6s on hand to reference it to.
Do you commonly run it through more preamp/overdrive/distortion? I guess I could have clarified that I'm talking from a fast/heavy music perspective
I got my first active in 83 and have had at least one, usually several on hand ever since then. Apart from the odd dirty pot and once an output jack being intermittent, neither of which are an active only fault, I have never, ever had one let me down when playing. Dunno how that makes them waaaaay less reliable.
Passively Active here.
Depends on the bass, need(s) and preference of tone.
Hopefully, we all get the tone we want!!
Cheers
Depends on the bass, need(s) and preference of tone.
Hopefully, we all get the tone we want!!
Cheers
I really wish I could do active basses, but I just can't. It's not for the lack of trying though. I have had numerous throughout the years, but I'm just not good at dialing in tones with all those knobs and switches on my bass. With so many options I just keep fiddling and never feel as though I have the right combo/sound.
This is also coming from a guy that likes amps with the fewest knobs as possible as well. I would have a panic attack if I had to play through a head with a graphic EQ even. All though, I did enjoy my old SVT3 and SVT4, as well as the Mesa 400+ I had back in the day. At least with those I could turn off the graphic EQ if I got to overwhelmed. Can't remember if the Mesa had that button or not, but with only a few sliders that thing sounded glorious. The only pedals I'll even mess with are my bass driver or SVT-DI. God I sound lazy with my lazy sound lol! Been playing for 32 years, so I guess simple works for me haha!!
This is also coming from a guy that likes amps with the fewest knobs as possible as well. I would have a panic attack if I had to play through a head with a graphic EQ even. All though, I did enjoy my old SVT3 and SVT4, as well as the Mesa 400+ I had back in the day. At least with those I could turn off the graphic EQ if I got to overwhelmed. Can't remember if the Mesa had that button or not, but with only a few sliders that thing sounded glorious. The only pedals I'll even mess with are my bass driver or SVT-DI. God I sound lazy with my lazy sound lol! Been playing for 32 years, so I guess simple works for me haha!!
I still want to own an active but I was so into getting one, I bought one, return it back. I just couldn't justify its cost for me personally at the time. I do still like to get an Ibanez active Talman, but honestly I'm not in need rn. I found passive more for me at the moment not to mention the battery worries aren't the end of the world but it's so nice to plug and play...!
