Modern Active vs Passive Jazz - If you could only have 1?

[bcbassman]

I should say that all passive Jazz basses are not created equal, but in live playing situations, and active bass is very handy to deal with different room acoustics, etc..

So I take my active Jazz 5 along with my passive P-bass, which are also not all created equal.

 

[Jefenator]

Active with passive bypass and a passive tone knob. Best of both worlds, maybe even a little better. (Passive treble bleed + a dash of active bass boost = old school BLISS.)

 

[JIO]

^ This is a good answer, but unless you get or do the single coil mod (mine are Tributes which do not have it) it doesn't give you a J tone. My advice to anyone deciding for themselves is to consider the music you are playing.

That said, IF I were to limit myself to one, I would go Sire. They go active and passive and include a passive tone knob in the mix. My only complaint with mine is I prefer flatter fretboards. But I still play it and it plays fine!

Oh, sorry - so specifically a J ... my modded active J with a passive setting covers exactly what you describe and fits your brand choices but isn't new/available. It's a '93 American Standard Fender with Fender/Kubicki 9v pre.

 

[ruju]

I'll go with active bass for my one and only.
Nothing wrong with passive, but I prefer active.

 

[JIO]

I'll go with active bass for my one and only.
Nothing wrong with passive, but I prefer active.

I'm glad to hear your preference because it proves that (as always) the choice is purely subjective, that either active or passive can work for a player. I own and play both flavors for what they each provide tonally.

 

[ruju]

I'm glad to hear your preference because it proves that (as always) the choice is purely subjective, that either active or passive can work for a player. I own and play both flavors for what they each provide tonally.

Yes, I have a 5 string 35" active bass, and a 30" passive pj bass. I enjoy playing both of them. It just depends on the sound I'm looking for