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EMG HZ 35 being stated as active

#4
Xandrell said:
But they are stating the pickups are active when they are not.
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They're probably stating the bass is active which, for all intents and purposes, it is considered an active bass. Most active basses use passive pickups with an active pre-amp. Take the Music Man StingRay, it is considered an active bass but the pickups are passive.
 
#6
Xandrell said:
But MusicMan doesn't list the pickups as active.
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And they don't list them as passive either. Manufacturers don't list "active" or "passive" based on the pickups they consider the entire electronics package. Go into any EBMM dealer and ask them if the StingRay is an active bass, every single one of them will tell you it is.

StingRay
 
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#12
DiabolusInMusic said:
And they don't list them as passive either. Manufacturers don't list "active" or "passive" based on the pickups they consider the entire electronics package. Go into any EBMM dealer and ask them if the StingRay is an active bass, every single one of them will tell you it is.

StingRay
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Isn't a bass with active pickups and preamp referred to as a fully active circuit, different from one with passive pickups?
Is it right if a customer asks for an active pickup bass and the salesman said here is an active bass not telling the customer it has passive pickups because he thinks an active preamp makes it an active bass regardless of the pickups?
 
#14
Xandrell said:
Isn't a bass with active pickups and preamp referred to as a fully active circuit, different from one with passive pickups?
Is it right if a customer asks for an active pickup bass and the salesman said here is an active bass not telling the customer it has passive pickups because he thinks an active preamp makes it an active bass regardless of the pickups?
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I have never heard a difference in marketing between an active pickup bass and a passive pickup with an active pre-amp bass, they are both always simply referred to as an "active" bass. The only difference would be on the service end which customers wouldn't traditionally see.

I don't think it is correct for a salesman to intentionally give bad information but I don't think most salesman actually know the difference between active pickups or passive pickups with an active pre-amp. Are you going to fault every salesman who explains "underpowering your amp" and how "15s go lower"? I don't think most consumers know the difference either nor do I think they care. Hell, I would be willing to bet a shocking number of techs don't know the difference between active and passive with a pre-amp.

Most customers only care if it is active for the pre-amp, they want the ability to boost as well as cut, or to know whether to use an amp's padded input or not. The only difference this makes is when it comes to aftermarket parts and modifications as it will limit your pickup selection.

Did you buy this bass on the assumption that it had active pickups and you now feel cheated? If so, I can understand your frustrations but, at the end, of the day if it plays great and it sounds great then it is simply great, regardless of it's components.
 
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#17
DavC said:
if you do some homework ... scroll down thru to 'the electronics ' ... states 'active 3-band EQ '

then , if you'd research at EMG's website ... the 35HZ pups are - Passive ...


i'd never let the babbling ' advert writers' explain tech specs to me ...!
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This is exactly what I did and the reason for posting.
From the email, It appears they will take care of it.
Probably won't be able to do anything about the retailers though.

sunnclose1.jpg

Bryce Wells (Fender)

Jun 24, 14:27 MST

Hello,

Thanks for sharing! I will pass this along to my webteam to correct.

Cheers,

Bryce Wells
Consumer Relations Representative
Fender Musical
Instruments Corp.
17600 N. Perimeter Dr., Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ
85255
(480) 845-5137
Fender_Group_Logo__new_.jpg
 
#19
These ads were not written by someone focusing on accurate engineering specs, but someone focusing on separating you from your money. If someone reads that and doesn't know it's wrong, then it probably wouldn't have affected their buying decision anyway because they don't understand what active electronics really are.
 
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