Less Is More

[ElMon]

I do find that passive J's and P's have a built in thickness in the mix that is, to my ears, more natural sounding than relying on an onboard preamp to dial it in. For me, passive basses do have more dynamic response and allow me to shape the sound with my hands more.

Still wouldn't mind having several Sadowsky's though!

 

[Lowbrow]

I assembled this bass a couple of nights ago.

Homemade P-Bass body, Duncan single-coil 1/4 Pounder and no controls. I have enough controls on my amp to confuse me; why add more to the instrument? That being said I certainly wouldn't disparage any bass that has a multitude of controls. Simplicity is my choice.

Finish preferences aside, a design approaching perfection.

 

[Honk'n_down-low]

I assembled this bass a couple of nights ago.

Homemade P-Bass body, Duncan single-coil 1/4 Pounder and no controls. I have enough controls on my amp to confuse me; why add more to the instrument? That being said I certainly wouldn't disparage any bass that has a multitude of controls. Simplicity is my choice.

NICE!

 

[spade2you]

For me, passive basses do have more dynamic response and allow me to shape the sound with my hands more.

I've never understood this as a legitimate argument against active basses. All of the active basses I own have no shortage in dynamic response and don't prohibit shaping of the tone with my hands. Although piezos must be active due to low natural output, the response to technique is much more dramatic than most mags I've heard.

 

[savit260]

I'll take a good ol' passive Precision over anything I've ever tried.

I've played everything I've ever been able to get my hands on, and the simple split coil P bass suits me best.

 

[vinxbass]

I have a 2007 Carvin LB75AP Anniversary, it comes with Piezo pup, sweepable mids, treble & bass controls, pup balance, Piezo balance, coil switch. Point is it took me all but 4 months to get a sound out of it that I could use for live application - I went nuts!! So after 4 months of confusion, BTW I finally got a good sound out of it, I said screw it and went and bought a '08' Fender MIA Jazz V, was dialed in the minute I plugged it in; been using it ever since.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

I just had a new pickguard made for me with no tone or vol pots. They'll be both set at maximum inside my control cavity. This P bass will be the ultimate in simplicity, but with my NP4 pups, wenge/ebony neck and Labella flats it will be everything I need.

Less is definitely more IMVHO.

 

[ElMon]

I've never understood this as a legitimate argument against active basses. All of the active basses I own have no shortage in dynamic response and don't prohibit shaping of the tone with my hands. Although piezos must be active due to low natural output, the response to technique is much more dramatic than most mags I've heard.

First off, I wasn't presenting an argument but was giving my impression. Just because I prefer passive basses doesn't negate the qualities of an active bass. To me, the less circuitry the better. I DO notice a discernible difference, just as I do when I put a bunch of effects/rackmount pre's/etc in front of the amp. Its different. As for it working out better for you, that's something else entirely.

 

[Lowbrow]

First off, I wasn't presenting an argument but was giving my impression.

Funny how many folks can't resist defending THEIR opinion of YOUR opinion, ain't it?

 

[spade2you]

Funny how many folks can't resist defending THEIR opinion of YOUR opinion, ain't it?

Not really that funny, no.

 

[tbone409]

There are 5 knobs in my entire rig
P bass (waterstone lulu)/vol + tone->Mic Pre(bellari RP220 with groove tubes)/vol + gain-> Power amp(crown Xls 402)/Vol
so 5 knobs 3 of which are volume, pretty simple

 

[savit260]

Looking into my crystal ball. I think I see where this is going to go.

Who would like to take bets as to how many posts it will take before Spade calls this is a "boutique bashing" thread? I can feel the storm brewing.

 

[spade2you]

Looking into my crystal ball. I think I see where this is going to go.

Who would like to take bets as to how many posts it will take before Spade calls this is a "boutique bashing" thread?

Soon as people start bashing them. Care to start?

 

[savit260]

Soon as people start bashing them. Care to start?

No, because I'm wise enough to know that what suits me best, may not be best for the next guy or you.

 

[PilbaraBass]

If you play with a pick, use a Rick.

I was expecting this response...but, not a rick fan, sorry...

just doesn't have THE tone and more importantly "THE" feel for me...

don't get me wrong, in the right hands, ricks sound GREAT...just not in mine...

 

[PilbaraBass]

Not really that funny, no.

wow...just got that...you just DID it...(that thing he was talkin' 'bout)

now my brain just melted...

 

[spade2you]

wow...just got that...you just DID it...(that thing he was talkin' 'bout)

now my brain just melted...

Your point?

 

[Lowbrow]

Not really that funny, no.

I know we can all get along; here's a cute image to help soothe irritated feelings:

Hope this helps.

 

[lazytech]

At this point, with my limited experience simple is definitely better.

Im in the process of buying a new rig I keep coming back to less is more.

I can totally see myself adjusting 5-6 different knobs trying for the perfect sound forever and never actually getting around to playing it.

once my ear is a litttle better a,d Ive gained experience, Id like to go to a more advanced setup maybe, but for now its all about the playing and technique.

 

[bongomania]

I have gone through a bunch of basses trying to find out what features and qualities I liked best. I have at this point settled on an active Jazz with a bunch of controls, and a passive P with only a tone knob. I got my basses covered! :groan: But seriously, there are plenty of times when all I want to do is connect as directly as possible with the notes, and that's when I reach for the simplest instrument.