Epiphone Embassy Pro Bass Vs. Epiphone Thunderbird IV

[bassbassnfiue]

I have an Epiphone Thunderbird IV with the active pickups that I'm looking to swap out for an Embassy Pro. The passive humbuckers and the shape of this bass really makes me want it but was wondering if I could achieve a similar, or better sound out of the embassy with the passive pickups before I go out an buy this thing.
I play in sludge / doomy rock band and use lots of fuzz and distortion and running through an orange terror bass.

 

[Rob Martinez]

When you say active pickups on an Epi T Bird, does it take a battery? I did not know Epiphone made one like that. I have an Embassy Pro, it is a great bass with clear sounding PUs that are supposedly reversed engineered to replicate the original 60s PUs in T Birds and Embassy basses from that era. As you know, active electronics REALLY boost the signal of a bass compared to passive electronics, which give a warm and smooth tone. They are not as LOUD, though you can just turn up your amp.

 

[rockscott]

The epi pro fours were active, built circa 2010 to 2017 or so. I sold the one i had only because it was active & im totally into passive tone. The build quality and the neck were amazing, looking back i wish i had kept it and rewired it as passive.

 

[BruceWane]

As you know, active electronics REALLY boost the signal of a bass compared to passive electronics, which give a warm and smooth tone. They are not as LOUD, though you can just turn up your amp.

Eh, not true. Every active bass system I've dealt with has had an output level pretty close to a typical passive bass. I've got 5 active basses with preamps from Aguilar, Bartolini, EMG, and Audere. The loudest bass I own is my stock '77 Precision.

I'm sure there's some cheaper basses out there with no-name active systems that do boost the signal, but all of the high quality active systems are built to provide boost/cut control over multiple frequencies, to help reduce noise, and/or reduce the effects of capacitance from long cable runs. And they're designed to provide a relatively typical output level so that they work well with most gear - it's kinda pointless to design product that doesn't work well in its intended purpose.

 

[BruceWane]

Anyway, most people rave about the pickups in the Embassy Pro. Very true to the TBird sound. So if you're drawn to that body style and you want classic TBird tone, yeah, go for it.

If you want truer classic TBird tone from your Epi TBird, look at getting some aftermarket pickups from Thunderbucker Ranch, Lollar, or Lull. I think the Thunderbuckers are the most price-friendly, but I haven't looked in a while.

 

[Rob Martinez]

Eh, not true. Every active bass system I've dealt with has had an output level pretty close to a typical passive bass. I've got 5 active basses with preamps from Aguilar, Bartolini, EMG, and Audere. The loudest bass I own is my stock '77 Precision.

I'm sure there's some cheaper basses out there with no-name active systems that do boost the signal, but all of the high quality active systems are built to provide boost/cut control over multiple frequencies, to help reduce noise, and/or reduce the effects of capacitance from long cable runs. And they're designed to provide a relatively typical output level so that they work well with most gear - it's kinda pointless to design product that doesn't work well in its intended purpose.

I am sure you are correct, to a point. Many modern amps have two settings, one for passive and one for active.

 

[butterfingers1]

My only active bass was a top-of-the-line 1985 Ibanez Roadstar II RB960, it was less loud than the passive basses I have had.

I have the Epiphone Embassy, beautiful bass, none of the ergonomic issues of the Tbirds, dark but clear and clean tone, articulate and punchy.

 

[jd56hawk]

Eh, not true. Every active bass system I've dealt with has had an output level pretty close to a typical passive bass. I've got 5 active basses with preamps from Aguilar, Bartolini, EMG, and Audere. The loudest bass I own is my stock '77 Precision.

I'm sure there's some cheaper basses out there with no-name active systems that do boost the signal, but all of the high quality active systems are built to provide boost/cut control over multiple frequencies, to help reduce noise, and/or reduce the effects of capacitance from long cable runs. And they're designed to provide a relatively typical output level so that they work well with most gear - it's kinda pointless to design product that doesn't work well in its intended purpose.

Output level off the charts when the Aural Exciter is on.
Louder than both my L2000s, louder than my Reverend Thundergun...by quite a bit.
I've yet to play with the volume set even at the halfway point.
(Any reason why the older Exoticas with the Aphex System electronics are so hot?)