Do you think the scale will ever tip back towards hi-fi/active basses?

[Just Wrong]

There's that story of Sean Hurley moving to L.A. with a five-string active Lakland to become a session player just to realize it's a P-bass world out there. It wasn't always the case though. There was time when hi-fi or active basses were all the rage, like Warwicks, Ken Smiths, Alembics, Tobias, Zons, Spector etc.

Do you think the scale will ever tip back towards hi-fi/active basses? If so, how do you think it'll happen?

 

[Heiwa]

I’m tired of seeing multiscale active 5 string basses on every Instagram suggested video..

 

[Camaro69]

Chancellor plays a Wal

 

[JIO]

trends... like the weather

 

[Lo-E]

I wasn’t aware anyone was keeping score. I use both in lots of different applications. When I go to see local bands I see both active and passive basses in abundance. I see both vintage styles and modern styles all the time.

Yes, P-basses are popular. They’ve always been popular and they probably always will be - with good reason. That doesn’t mean nobody’s playing other instruments. If active basses have fallen out of favor they did it without me noticing. I hope nobody tells Anthony Jackson, Nathan East, Victor Wooten, etc….

 

[Seth DuSith]

Depends on the music. Where I go, it's active basses multiscales everywhere, and that's how I like it. So I have no idea what you're talking about lol

Everytime something is popular there is always a movement against it. It's always been that way

 

[Geri O]

Couldn't. Care. Less.

I will keep my two active basses if they are the last active basses on the friggin' planet.

Along with my passive Precision-style bass.

It's a threesome.....

(without me, of course....)

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Bass-wise I'm all over the map. 4,5, active, passive, XL scale, long scale, M scale, S scale, XS scale. Guys around here seem to play anything. There is a "passive FSO P and J" subculture, sort of, but local players have all sorts of stuff. It is a bit of a Tele town, though...

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[Bass V]

modernaires want a bass to sound like anything BUT a bass, vintage bass is becoming lost in the noise.

 

[superheavyfunk]

As long as you have something that *looks* like a fender, nobody really notices what it sounds like - that’s been my experience in studios over the last 20 years.

 

[dpaul]

I have no concern for what’s “in” or popular, I play what I like. I currently own 6 basses, 4 of the 5 are active 5 strings, 1 passive 5 string, and 1 active 4 string. None are P-basses. Case closed

 

[Altitude]

Hurley plays mainly in situations where the bass has a traditional support role, so no surprise his employers prefer P-Basses that make sounds they know how to work with.

I suppose for those of us who play in more music-y situations where we’re trying to give the bass a soloist or featured role, active basses might still be popular and useful.

All mine at the moment are passive. One is a P-bass.

 

[5StringBlues]

TB perception

 

[HP Hovercraft]

They seem more popular than ever before? Not in the music I listen to. But still.

 

[superheavyfunk]

TB perception

Too few folks around here seem to remember this fact. A good many arguments would be completely avoided if they did.

 

[SteveC]

I’m preferring my passive P bass these days. Doesn’t mean I don’t use/need my 5 or that I’m going to sell it. Tools for tasks. Sometimes a wrench. Sometimes a pliers. Good handyman has both in the tool box.

 

[mongo2]

I usually play my Hofner Ignition Club bass with nylon tapes I modified to have VVT controls straight to my amp. But, if absolutely necessary, I can add either my Boss GEB-7 or GE-7B Bass EQ, my SABDDI, or my Bartolini NTMB preamp I mounted in a box to the signal chain if I want more eq than available at my amp.

 

[5StringBlues]

Where would TB be without opinion argements?

Too few folks around here seem to remember this fact. A good many arguments would be completely avoided if they did.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I think there are a lot of basses out there and while P-Basses have always seemed popular, maybe a little more so in the last decade. I play what I like and don't really follow trends and I think most experienced players are probably the same. I think most basses can get it done in most situations and I don't think passive versus active matters that much.

 

[Seth DuSith]

modernaires want a bass to sound like anything BUT a bass, vintage bass is becoming lost in the noise.

With that attitude, we should also undo the changes Eddie van Halen and Jimmy Hendrix brought to guitar. Make it sound like an acoustic again, and only play chords.