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

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Barcza, Jul 7, 2013.

  1. Passive tone

    163 vote(s)
    74.4%
  2. Active EQ treble cut

    56 vote(s)
    25.6%
  1. Barcza

    Barcza

    May 1, 2005
    Budapest
    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.
     
  2. smeet

    smeet Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2006
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Not the same. I like to have both, but given the choice, I gotta go with passive tone.
     
  3. john kontras

    john kontras

    Aug 29, 2007
    in my opinion passive tone is more organic,a sound which i like more:bassist::bassist:
     
  4. Awesome Sauce

    Awesome Sauce Already tired tomorrow

    Dec 21, 2011
    NW Chicago 'burbs
    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
    :bassist:
     
  5. 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.
     
  6. RaginRog

    RaginRog Last guy you want to see is Employee Relations guy

    Nov 29, 2009
    Formerly Staten Island
    ^^^
    He works for Gas Monkey Garage...listen to him.
     
  7. Barcza

    Barcza

    May 1, 2005
    Budapest
    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.
     
  8. KodyAudette

    KodyAudette

    Apr 30, 2012
    Albuquerque
    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.
     
  9. BassLife77

    BassLife77

    Nov 13, 2009
    San Diego
    Both. A passive tone with an inductor also
     
  10. PB+J

    PB+J

    Mar 9, 2000
    arlington va
    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.
     
  11. Kael

    Kael

    Dec 26, 2004
    Oklahoma City
    I am coming to be of the opinion that onboard preamps are pointless. A tone knob is all that is needed.
     
  12. dave79

    dave79 Rest well Fish

    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.
     
  13. smeet

    smeet Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2006
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Uh, wut? :confused:
     
  14. Red_Merkin

    Red_Merkin

    Nov 12, 2012
    It's a TV show, he was talking about your beard.

    Gas-Monkey-Garage2.jpg
     
  15. I prefer passive tone myself.
     
  16. king_biscuit

    king_biscuit

    May 21, 2006
    US
    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.
     
  17. Gopherbassist

    Gopherbassist

    Jan 19, 2008
    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.
     
  18. smeet

    smeet Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2006
    Woodland Hills, CA
    :)
     
  19. Marial

    Marial weapons-grade plum

    Apr 8, 2011
    Passive here.
     
  20. ShirazBop

    ShirazBop

    Sep 29, 2006
    Greensboro, NC
    ^this has been my mode... Sadowsky outboard...

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