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First bass, active or passive?

Y

Yogen

Jul 15, 2012
71
0
#1
So I want a bass, been thinking about it for a while, but will finally go for it, a 5 string bass for playing without having to downtune.

But I don't know which would be more adequate to me, Death Metal is what convinced me to buy a bass, and I know "all basses are good for every genre", yes, but of course some work better in some genres.

I'm guessing an active would sound more powerful, which is what I want, but I'm also a bit afraid of it not sounding very "natural" because of all the electronics, controls, etc. on an active bass; but I don't really know much about bass so...

And (maybe this sounds very "noob") Steve Harris plays a passive, but it sounds damn good, but he also plucks "too hard".

I'd also apreciate recommendations, I'm looking to spend around 200-300, I'd spend more, but I also need an amp and a new one for my guitar.

Thank you.
 
#2
If you are just starting, a 4 might be best just to get the basics. An extra may be a bit much. To answer the question, my first bass was passive, then converted to active. Most metal bassists have active basses, at least those that downtune to like drop c or something.
 
#3
I don't really have an in depth knowledge of death metal(more of a old school British metal and thrash guy myself), but I suspect most death metal bassists are playing active basses equipped with EMG pickups. I'm not sure if you can find anything EMG equipped in that price range, if not I'd probably look at getting an active bass from ESP.
 
#5
Metal imo is better played no matter the style on an active instrument.

Should you ask me what you should get I'd however say get a passive bass.

Look your a beginner your just learning how to play the thing why worry about extra knobs and whistles if you can't even play the instrument right?

That's like getting a Les Paul for a baseball bat. It doesn't make any sense.

You need to worry about learning how to play first not all those extra active tone knobs.

However if you really want an active bass Ibanez GSR200 is in your price range and they (GSR's) are styled after the metal player favorite SR body style also made by Ibanez. I think you should just stick to passives man but, if your heart is set on an active GSR's are great for the money look up the reviews on them they are rarely trashed.

I think a good passive P bass would do you some good though.
I started on a passive p/j Yamaha RBX170 and trust me that thing could do metal better than some MIM Fenders and for $180 it was a steal.
 
#6
I think the best first bass one can buy is a passive P or J copy.
The simplicity of the instrument will force you to get the sound you want through fingers rather than corrections.
It's not really important though, what counts is to get an instrument on which you feel comfortable, that makes you want to spend time with it.
 
#7
points to consider:

who do you want to sound like (aside from sounding like yourself) and what do they play?

what does the total package sound and feel like? does it inspire you to play, or fight you?

there are always trade-offs for a given pricepoint. get more expensive (not "better") electronics, and they skimp elsewhere to keep the final price in balance.

more parts equals more things to break.

pickups can always be changed from passive to active, or the other way around.
 
#8
SwagAttack said:
If you are just starting, a 4 might be best just to get the basics. An extra may be a bit much. To answer the question, my first bass was passive, then converted to active. Most metal bassists have active basses, at least those that downtune to like drop c or something.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree here... If he is just starting, no reason not to start on a 5 if that's what he deems necessary for the type of music he is doing. One isn't really harder/easier than the other; it's usually just hard for 4 string guys to get acclimated to a 5 so they might be in the headspace that it is harder to play in general.

FWIW I started on a 5 and now primarily play 4 string - but I'm glad i am comfortable on extended range basses for when the need does arise.
 
#9
Probably a dead horse, but a passive 4 string didn't hold back Geezer, or Steve (mentioned in the OP).

I'll admit that I've had 5s and 4s and I like 4s better. The extra range doesn't change the game for me. It primarily allows me to fret the B/5 region instead of playing around open E.

Edit - as a Dingwall and fEARful owner, I'll admit that the low B calls on bigger watts and beefier speakers to get the goods. If you go for the lower notes, be prepared for the power consumption/handling they need to make them shine.
 
#14
Musical background: just electric guitar, kind of intermediate level I think, can play fast and a bit complex, but almost every damn solo kills me.

About how I want to sound, I don't know, I guess I'll write the bands that made me want to play bass: Iron Maiden (obviously), Behemoth, Malevolent Creation, Bolt Thrower, Megadeth, Morpheus Descends and a lot more Death Metal bands.

I'm not like "I really need a 5 string", but it seems handy to have an extra string so I don't have to change the tuning everytime I want to play a different song
 
#15
Starting on a 4 or a 5 is po-tay-to po-tah-to if you are just starting out. My 13 yr old has gigged with everything from a Fernandes Nomad to his Franken-P to my 35" scale unlined fretless 5-string.

For the money you're talking, try to find a decent used Mexican made Fender 4 or 5 string passive bass. If you like it, save up a couple hundred bucks and add EITHER an Audere preamp in the bass or a SansAmp BDDI or a ToneBone BassBone between the bass and the amp. If you hate the bass, sell for what you paid for it and move on to the next one.

Peace,

James
 
#16
I live in Mexico and mexican made Fender instruments (they are made in Mexico, but sold internationally mostly, ***?) are hard to find, specially basses, but I'll keep an eye out for one.

I'm considering to buy a new Cort Action V active, but a guy is selling me an Ibanez GSR 200, which one is better? I know the Ibanez is 4 strings, but I wont' mind if the quality is significantly different
 
#18
The Ibanez is a no go, been searching a lot online, and they seem to cost around $100 more than in the US (a second hand here sells for the same as a new one in USA), while the cort instruments keep the same price.

I watched videos on the Cort Action V active and passive and the active seems to sound more like what I'm trying to look for. I'd keep the bass for maybe 2 or 3 years, or it could be less if I get really much into it, so I don't want to have regrets or anything of the sort.
But yeah, I'd love to have a Fender bass and guitar one day in the future (I'm actually "in love" with the fender Bass VI, but is really rare and expensive, if I'm lucky I'll get my hands on one of them in 5-10 years).

I'll check out music stores tomorrow, any models/brands I should look at?


ps: thank you for the response, really been helpful
 
#20
I don't really mind the looks, just one something I'll like, but hey, tomorrow I'll be testing many bass guitars, who knows if I fall for a passive 4 string? Anything is possible.

You said cheaper, so that also means I can find better a better quality 4 string for teh same price as a 5 string?
 

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