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Passive Music Man??
- Thread starter Hoodywah
- Start date
Check into early G&L basses and some newer models. They were built in the same factory as Music Man for a while.
I strongly believe the highlighted text to be the case. But I've never tried it myself.
There is no "sweet spot". The closer a pickup is to the bridge the more trebly it sounds, but there is nothing magic about any placement in particular.
I'm just using that verbiage because it's commonly called the "sweet sop" pup placement.
I'm also interested in the fact that the ASAT has a passive mode but I hate the idea of paying for the extra electronics...heck, I'd rather that money go to a better fret job or wood choice.
I feel that. I play a PBass and a Jag CIJ with Rio Grande Muy Grande pups...about to receive a '77 RD standard so I like neck pups. Just interested in the idea more than anything.
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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Many, many, many a professional working bass player would disagree with this I'm afraid.
Some of the American EBMM SUB's were passive. I never tried one (mine was active). Phenomenal instruments, shared the same pick up and electronics as the two band Stingray.
Worth keeping an eye on the classifieds. As they do pop up from. Time to time.
Worth keeping an eye on the classifieds. As they do pop up from. Time to time.
"The first ever active and passive Stingrays offered by Music Man!"
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
very cool! And as I look at it with the knowledge that it has a passive mode, I feel like I just know it wouldn't have much beef. I know they really aren't so known for it anyway. I bet this thing would record like a dream (which is the only real reason that I'd want one anyway) and it looks great but I can already feel my interest slipping. A double humbucker model would (probably) make more sense. I'd still love to try one out alas, Athens, GA isn't much of a place for new gear. Much more the place for interesting modded and used gear. Oh well.
The most resonant point for the best of all worlds is where the Precision pickup is located. The MM pickup was placed much closer to the bridge so it produced a much tighter, more focused, snappier tone. Because there's naturally less bass frequency down there due to the extra string tension near the bridge, the preamp was needed to boost the signal. And what a sound it created.
If you want to hear a passive bridge pickup in humbucker format, have a headphones listen to Ed Friedland's recent short review of the Fender Am.Std Dimension when he plays it on the back pickup alone. That'll give you an idea of the sound you'd get with a passive humbucker at the bridge, albeit with ceramic magnets.
If you want to hear a passive bridge pickup in humbucker format, have a headphones listen to Ed Friedland's recent short review of the Fender Am.Std Dimension when he plays it on the back pickup alone. That'll give you an idea of the sound you'd get with a passive humbucker at the bridge, albeit with ceramic magnets.
Yes! I am really digging the Big Al and may have to throw a call to Atlanta to see if anyone has one in stock somewhere. I'm even a fan of the body shape as odd as that may be. It's a strange one.
Musicman was BLOWING THEM OUT a while back in GC. You could call there & see which stores still have some in stock. I got ridiculously lucky getting the special edition green sparkle for a crazy used price. Its just a beast ! Once you learn what pickup combo does which sound best... THEN EQ from there, you cant lose
If you keep your eyes open, the original USA made Sub basses pop up once in a while, and also came in passive. The one I own has a 2-band passive tone circuit with a volume and bass/treble cut only.
It doesn't have the same "oomph" as an active Stingray, but still has the signature 'Ray tone.
Don't let that turn you away as it has the exact same, super hot humbucker that are in a "real" Stingray, minus the preamp. It still has a very hot output for a passive bass. I plan on installing an active preamp in mine because I want that extra kick, but that doesn't mean it sounds bad stock.
Forgot to mention, I paid $360 CDN w/ a HSC from the original owner of it. Still had the $999.99 price tag on it. I almost felt bad for not posting pics
It doesn't have the same "oomph" as an active Stingray, but still has the signature 'Ray tone.
Don't let that turn you away as it has the exact same, super hot humbucker that are in a "real" Stingray, minus the preamp. It still has a very hot output for a passive bass. I plan on installing an active preamp in mine because I want that extra kick, but that doesn't mean it sounds bad stock.
Forgot to mention, I paid $360 CDN w/ a HSC from the original owner of it. Still had the $999.99 price tag on it. I almost felt bad for not posting pics
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+1 on keeping your eye peeled for a US Musicman SUB in passive. I had one and STUPIDLY sold it.
