P/J: Active or Passive?

[q1014]

What are your guys preferences?

I would like an active but cant wrap my head around no tone control (only eq) since i want the traditional P growl and Bridge J burp

I want to know how you guys feel they compare. I have been looking at the Fender Aerodyne, Fender P bass Special, and an Sx PJ or possibly a Squier P special

Comments Appreciated

 

[bongomania]

You couldn't find any threads about active versus passive, I'm guessing.

Well, one thing worth considering is that some active basses have a passive-style tone control; and many active basses are designed to also be able to provide the traditional growl and burp.

 

[q1014]

I couldnt find any regarding the p/j setup

Could you point me in the directions of active basses with passive style tone

 

[superfunk47]

Could you point me in the directions of active basses with tone

And I thought I had already heard the world's vaguest question.

I stand corrected.

 

[q1014]

bump

 

[q1014]

anyone else?

 

[Steakbomb]

Get a passive one -- IE a fender aerodyne, then add an aguilar preamp with a bypass (or have a luthier do it).

1 - Aggies provide a very passive sounding tone when you do use the EQ
2 - The bypass will allow you to use most of the knobs you put in for the preamp the same way (ie Volume and Blend), but then you can add an extra knob somewhere for passive tone.

I would have the knobs be stacked and be (From neck to bridge)
Vol(top)/passive tone (bottom)
treble(top)/bass(bottom)
blend (single knob)
and then the output jack in the last position.

You may need to find a shop to really get it done right though...

ALSO ANYONE WITH MORE EXPERIENCE THAN ME CORRECT ME IF NEED BE!

 

[PocketGroove82]

I love my sad metro hybrid PJ. It can go from wooten'esk when active and both pups blended to nice jazz burp to wonderful passive P, all in about 5 seconds.

Best of both worlds right there.

 

[Evan_S._Brown]

buy a passive one,

then get a floorboard preamp like sadowsky or something else. then you've got both options and you dont have to mod your bass.

thats what i do for my p/j. sounds great active...also sounds great passive

 

[lukas86]

How about basses that can switch between active and passive modes. Like sadowsky, fender marcus miller jazz or reggie hamilton. Give you both possibilites.

 

[Jim Carr]

I love my sad metro hybrid PJ. It can go from wooten'esk when active and both pups blended to nice jazz burp to wonderful passive P, all in about 5 seconds.

Best of both worlds right there.

+1

Not in the same price area as the OP's list, but you are dead on correct.
The hybrid and NYC Sadowsky's have very flexible personalities.


Passive warm P-bass with cut only vintage tone control? CHECK.
Active P/J (soloed Pups or any blend of either) with boost-only Sadowsky Pre? CHECK.
Passive J-bass bridge burp? CHECK.

Best bass I've ever owned.