Passive Vs. Active Basses (which do you prefer and why?)

[jsbarber]

I own both, but, tend to prefer passive because:

Active EQ: The EQ incorporated into instruments does not compare to the quality of the EQ in my preamp. I don't mess with the EQ much once set, so I don't need on-instrument access to it.

Active Pickups: It seems that it shouldn't matter where the amplification takes place (in instrument or head/pre-power amps). If you're getting a tone that you really like from active pickups then use it. But I still feel that on-instrument electronics are generally inferior to high quality off-instrument electronics.

In both cases, my preference is to have minimal electronics on the instrument. This gives you flexibility in terms buying/selling gear to modify your sound as the state-of-the-art in electronics changes, without having to touch your instrument. Look at Anthony Jackson's configuration. He uses passive pickups wired straight to the jack. All electronics are studio quality. I guess I subscribe to his approach.

That is my philosophy, but philosophy only goes so far. When it comes to actually buying and using instruments/gear: use the best sounding stuff you can afford.

Jim

 

[de la mocha]

Thanks guys!

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Depends.

 

[quallabone]

Passive with my current fleet. If I can find an active that sounds anywhere near as good I'll say active.

 

[Fawkes007]

Electronics don't mean a thing to me. The instrument just has to be happening. I don't care if the electronics are passive, active, or powered by the sun.

 

[de la mocha]

Electronics don't mean a thing to me. The instrument just has to be happening. I don't care if the electronics are passive, active, or powered by the sun.

So would that be solar electronics or nuclear?

 

[MikeRS]

Doesn't matter to me, the only active bass I have is my Ovation Celebrity acoustic/electric. All my solidly electric basses have been passive as well as guitars (I've actually never seen an active guitar but I know they exist).

The thought of the batteries dying on stage during a song and blowing the whole thing is just a concern in the back of my mind, with a bass that doubles as an acoustic if it died I could just bring an extra mic down to the soundhole (I sing too so I'd need a backup for the bass just in case) and solve the problem until I can put a new one in.

Passives have a much thicker sound I like, but the actives have a punch that no passive I've played can really get, so really I like both.

 

[Modern Growl]

I prefer passive. more organic sounding IMO. More woody, natural, dare I say 'growly' - Definetly a more 'raw' signal.


Active has its benifits as well, but I'm in love with passive.

I prefer passive as I stated in my earlier post. But to elaborate a little on it a bit more...

I’ve used the same exact bass Fender American Jazz witch is passive, and A/B through probably the highest quality active preamp money can by, the Sadowsky Preamp/DI set flat. (Which is also True bypass, allowing the passive signal to go through un-buffered) I kept on going back and forth, and each time I did, I always found passive to please me more.

I find passive to be:

More dynamic
More ‘Raw’ sounding
Less ‘Compressed’ (buffering process)
Woodier sounding
More ‘Natural’ sounding
Ect…..

Active has its purposes, but these close listening ears… they prefer passive.

 

[QU!CK]

I play a passive 4 and an active 5. I like being able to use them both for various tones with different songs. I tend the favor the active more the passive is still just as good in my book.


-J

 

[bryan bailey]

Both. Each has its advantages. Each can suprise you from time to time too.

 

[Squidfinger]

I have owned both over the years and have settled on passive for the tone and simplicity.

I'm actually a little surprised so many of you guys prefer passive. I thought active was more popular.

 

[Bassosaurus]

I'm actually a little surprised so many of you guys prefer passive. I thought active was more popular.

That's what I was gonna say - especially after reading some of that Sadowsky thread. Interesting that about 90% of "high end" basses are active if so many like passive.

Is passive the new trend!??? Eeeww!!!

I have owned both over the years and have settled on passive for the tone and simplicity.

Have to go w/ you on that one too! At the risk of sounding like a bandwagon hopper, after listening to some recordings of my ol' passive 65' Jazz bass (done about 10 years ago), I've a renewed enthusiasm for plain old passive pups. Most always run my active basses flat anyways - though even then, they add a character.

Don't neccessarily like one or the other better - both can be good when appropriately applied - as said.

 

[jacove]

Passive, to me it just sounds more "musical", by this I mean more dynamic and natural tone....Sometimes when I hear a active tone I can get really impressed by the BIG sound etc, but the tone can't keep my interest for very long...Nathan East for example, who I think is an excellent player, but I saw a Clapton DVD the other day and his tone is just to active for me, it just sound to hyped in a way...

 

[RSmith]

This is a good thread! I'm overthinking this point right now too. My StingRay 5 is Thors hammer. It sounds great, very responsive very authorative. But my MIA Jazz w/ Ultra Jazz pick-ups seems a bit more natural in some situations for many of the reasons posted already. I'm torn for sure. Then there's the old 4 or 5 string delima to add fuel to the fire in my case.

 

[markjazzbassist]

passive cause i don't have to change batteries and the tone is more organic and tasteful. Not as harsh IMHO. But to each there own.

 

[Jonki]

Passive lead the way, all the way. HOOAA!

 

[cosplayphotos]

Passive for me but in 15+ years of playing I have never picked up an active bass so I may not know what I am missing.. I am just too poor to spend the cashola to get a good active bass so the passive ones look like more bang for the buck when I am looking for one.

Ive been playing a Dean 5 string w passive for the past 5 or so years.

Actually to amend this I just ordered an Ibanez acoustic bass (AEB10EBK) with an active pickup. We will see when I get it in the mail I may be an active convert but I imagine an acoustic with an active pickup is a different animal than a regular electric so who knows.

Play what feels right for your situation.

 

[Phil Mailloux]

I used to prefer passive until I stuffed an Aguilar OBP-1 in my first self-built bass. Now I have to answer active

But with a condition... I prefer active if it's got a decent preamp in it. If not then i'll go for the passive.

My first active bass was an Ibanez Soundgear sr800 and that preamp sucked big time. I hate it. I'll take passive anytime if i'm stuck with that sort of crappy preamp.

 

[ny_chan]

Why active or passive bass?

1. If it sounds good it doesn't matter if it is an active or passive. I mean if the pickup is good, it is good. period. A good pickup is like a good microphone. Nothing magical.

2. Preamp takes it from there. If the pickup picks up good sound and vibes from the strings and wood (that's why b4 buying a bass, test it acoustically) most probably it'll sound good (if the pickup does its job well), the preamp is to shape/enhance it. But then, it also depends on the preamp's quality, no matter if it is passive or active. If it is good, it'll bring out the best of your bass.

3. However, from my experience with electronics, active electronics can do so much more than passive electronics in terms of sound shaping. That is why you still have EQs in those bass heads. Right. That is why you can either make it or break it with actives.

4. Finally, a good bass guitar sould have good sound acoustically, good pickups and good preamp (the sound department), comfortable to play and looks which speaks of your musical style.

 

[Philbiker]

Actually to amend this I just ordered an Ibanez acoustic bass (AEB10EBK) with an active pickup. We will see when I get it in the mail I may be an active convert but I imagine an acoustic with an active pickup is a different animal than a regular electric so who knows.

An acoustic bass guitar is a completely different animal indeed. I would not want a passive EQ on my Tacoma thunderchief, though it sounds very nice recorded unplugged using a microphone. Mostly just for the notch control to reduce feedback.