Do you prefer passive tone or hi cut with active EQ?

[Barcza]

I play most of the time bridge PU soloed, and use the tone pot intensely , to cut highs and get the growl. I hesitate to put an active circuit to my 74' jazz. Audere and U-retro lacks the passive tone, maybe the Aguilar OBP-2 can wire with passive tone and fit the cavity. What do you think, can I get similiar result with active treble cut, than passive tone. What do you use? I don't expect perfectly the same character, just to get the Growl.

 

[smeet]

Not the same. I like to have both, but given the choice, I gotta go with passive tone.

 

[john kontras]

in my opinion passive tone is more organic,a sound which i like more

 

[Awesome Sauce]

I gotta say I'm having a hard time w/ this one, though I voted Active EQ. I LOVE my Jazz- first passive I've ever owned- but I can't get into the tone pot. I have the correct taper and cap, but I'm SURE I'm not using it properly because I find it quite useless. I guess I need to experiment more w/ it, but right now, I'm really leaning toward getting an Audere or dropping the tone pot completely and installing stacked rotary series/parallel knobs for my Model J's. What to do, what to do...

Rob

 

[Jensby design]

I like active but I care more about pick-up selection you can eq later.
Series,parallel,out of phase that's what you should focus on the bass itself then run though preamp to eg tone whatever.

 

[RaginRog]

Not the same. I like to have both, but given the choice, I gotta go with passive tone.

^^^
He works for Gas Monkey Garage...listen to him.

 

[Barcza]

Sadowsky and Aguilar OBP-1 has the best conception, active bass +, Treble + and passive cut. I think a good bass doesn't need more. Unfortunately they are not retro fit.

 

[KodyAudette]

It depends on whether the active preamp has a mid control as well. I was unhappy with a 2 band EQ with Bass and Treble, but I added a John East Mid Sweep and it made a world of difference. This way I can cut my highs but still choose what mids I want and how much.

 

[BassLife77]

Both. A passive tone with an inductor also

 

[PB+J]

Passive all the way. My amp has a preamp--why do I need another one? Also I hate driving to a gig wondering when was the last time I changed the battery.

 

[Kael]

I am coming to be of the opinion that onboard preamps are pointless. A tone knob is all that is needed.

 

[dave79]

In general I prefer the sound of the passive control but the active is useful as well. I find that I only really mess with the passive on my Fodera even though both are there.

 

[smeet]

^^^
He works for Gas Monkey Garage...listen to him.

Uh, wut?

 

[Red_Merkin]

Uh, wut?

It's a TV show, he was talking about your beard.

 

[SquierJazz72]

I prefer passive tone myself.

 

[king_biscuit]

Why not just add a preamp pedal like the Sadowsky or the Aguilar? Best of both worlds and you don't have to modify a nice vintage bass.

 

[Gopherbassist]

I must say, just straight active or passive tone is not a choice I'd like to make. It really depends on the bass and what it sounds like, and the EQ and what it can do.

Right now I'm at a point where I like brittle tones that aren't overly bright and aren't very zingy. The best way I've found to get those is with an active EQ.

 

[smeet]

It's a TV show, he was talking about your beard.

 

[Marial]

Passive here.

 

[ShirazBop]

Why not just add a preamp pedal like the Sadowsky or the Aguilar? Best of both worlds and you don't have to modify a nice vintage bass.

^this has been my mode... Sadowsky outboard...

Augments my two Fender MIA Standard P and J 5's just right.