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- Thread starter wetwilly420
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I would say that passive is standard. Basically, a passive bass is wired striaght from the pickups to the pots. Usually there is 1 volume control for each pickup and 1 master tone knob in this situation. This is your typical Fender setup.
The alternative to passive is active. In an active setup there is a preamp in the bass which allows for greater output and tone shaping at the bass (instead of just at the amp). These usually have 1 master volume, a blend knob for the pickups, and 2-3 bands of EQ (bass, treble, and sometimes mids).
The alternative to passive is active. In an active setup there is a preamp in the bass which allows for greater output and tone shaping at the bass (instead of just at the amp). These usually have 1 master volume, a blend knob for the pickups, and 2-3 bands of EQ (bass, treble, and sometimes mids).
There are active preamps (most commonly active EQs) and active pickups (they have preamps built into the pickups); you have have either one of them, both, or neither. To be truly passive you have neither, and as long as you have either it's active.
Or to keep it simple if there's a battery involved inside the bass it's active, if not it's passive. This basic rule does not cover phantom power!
Or to keep it simple if there's a battery involved inside the bass it's active, if not it's passive. This basic rule does not cover phantom power!
I think you mean the difference between passive and active. There really is no such thing as a "standard bass."
But the difference is that passive (which I think you were referring to when you said standard) basses are just that, they do not have active electronics. That means no preamp, no eq, no battery. Just plug in, turn up the volume and play. They also usually have less knobs to worry about than on active basses -- usually just volume and tone (depending on the bass and type of pickups).
Active on the other hand feature battery driven preamps and EQ (similar to all the knobs on your amp). You can use it to dial in different tones and sounds. You can "tweak" the sound coming out of the bass to a greater extent than with a passive bass.
Some people prefer active basses over passive basses. Some the other way around. One is not better than the other, just different. It's all personal preference and what sound you want/need to get out of your bass.
But the difference is that passive (which I think you were referring to when you said standard) basses are just that, they do not have active electronics. That means no preamp, no eq, no battery. Just plug in, turn up the volume and play. They also usually have less knobs to worry about than on active basses -- usually just volume and tone (depending on the bass and type of pickups).
Active on the other hand feature battery driven preamps and EQ (similar to all the knobs on your amp). You can use it to dial in different tones and sounds. You can "tweak" the sound coming out of the bass to a greater extent than with a passive bass.
Some people prefer active basses over passive basses. Some the other way around. One is not better than the other, just different. It's all personal preference and what sound you want/need to get out of your bass.
