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Do you prefer active or passive basses?

Do you prefer active or passive basses?

  • active

    Votes: 88 38.3%

  • passive

    Votes: 142 61.7%
  • Total voters
    230
#26
Kwesi said:
I prefer basses that sound good.
Click to expand...

This said, I'm definitely an active guy. I do have a passive bass but if I could make it active right now you can bet money it would be. Any bass that sounds good passive can sound good active and for me the benefits far outweigh the price. Having the ability to tweak EQ from the bass itself is something I only forego if the bass sounds amazing without it which is why my Clement doesn't have a preamp yet.
 
#29
I don't feel the gain that having a battery gives you is worth the hassle of buying and changing batteries all the time.

If something doesn't sound right, I don't like wondering if the battery is going dead or is it just me.
 
#31
line6man said:
I prefer my basses with active/passive switches, so the question becomes pointless.:hyper:
Click to expand...

See BB1200S, best of both worlds. This is my go-to bass if the music requires the classic subtle passive sound. With the flick of a switch I have access to a 3 band EQ.

If you're worried about a battery dying on you, then bring an extra..and not to derail the thread, but when will it end...:scowl:

I'm worried about my patch cord, my strap breaking, my string popping, my ...... ad nauseum.:help:

I can understand a minimalist's point of view to K.I.S.S. it, but to worry about about a battery going dead... I don't get it. /endrant
 
#33
what i'm really liking is using a floor preamp with passive basses. Right now i've got the mxr, but i've tried the sadowsky and fodera. When i can afford one of those, i'll upgrade. Since i like to build or put together my basses, its much less expensive to have the one pre that they can all use.
 
#34
Jester's Fury said:
See BB1200S, best of both worlds. This is my go-to bass if the music requires the classic subtle passive sound. With the flick of a switch I have access to a 3 band EQ.

If you're worried about a battery dying on you, then bring an extra..and not to derail the thread, but when will it end...:scowl:

I'm worried about my patch cord, my strap breaking, my string popping, my ...... ad nauseum.:help:

I can understand a minimalist's point of view to K.I.S.S. it, but to worry about about a battery going dead... I don't get it. /endrant
Click to expand...

Furthermore, if you have an active/passive switch, the thought of the battery going dead is no longer an issue.
If your battery dies, flip it to passive and you have a passive bass.
 
#36
I have and had active basses , but now I prefer passive... they sound so much nicer IMO , I mean I have nothing against actives , To me actives have goodies like awesome preamps with 20 knobs , but i prefer a P bass with Tone and Volume ... Or a Stingray with active 3 band EQ

hahahhaha I'm torn between situation etc
 
#37
I like both.
Passive P, Ric 4001 and fretless Ripper.
Active Jackson Concert Pro V & MM Sterling.

FunkyLemz said:
what passive basses are aggressive?
Click to expand...
Rics can be aggressive. Can really get a good edgy treble bite with solid bass tone underneath. Used one in a punk band to cut through the sludge of duo guitars = SG>Fender & Les Paul>Marshall
 

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