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

[SuperFunkyPete]

I used to think active was the be-all and end all.

However, after close listening to passive instruments, I fouynd that I really liked the straightforward sound of a passive Jazz. Too many active instruments I tried, even the high-end ones, ended up losing 'something' to my ears (even a nice MTD USA, NYC Sadowsky).

After a while, I really didn't like a Peavey G-Bass I had with the active preamp in - there was an 'unnatural' sound that just wouldn't go, no matter what. So I made it passive, with pleasing results. Of course, it has since been modded further with an active piezo system (purely for buffering purposes)and is strung as a tenor instrument....

I'm changing again though. I bought a 1987 Steinberger XL-2A, and have found it to sound surprisingly 'Jazz'-like. It has a very loud output, and a very clear, upfront sound. It is tremendously sensitive to the brand of strings installed. The active EQ is moderately useful, but so powerful it's easy to overdo. I just use a touch for certain situations. I still mostly change tone by hand position and pickup blend.

I'm undecided currently about the whole issue. I still have at the back of my mind a Jazz bass custom concept with 22 frets, 4 strings, passive pickups and active piezo system to buffer the signal. But recently I have been having thoughts about trying out a John East J-retro...especially as it has many attractive 'passive' features. Could it be the ultimate 'all-in-one' bass that results? Who knows.

I suppose it simply boils down to: does it sound good?

If it does, no matter whether it's active or passive, then you're sorted.

Pete

 

[rok51]

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.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[Jazzin']

Passive, I like simplicity. Active basses are good, but I already have an equalizer on my amp.

 

[rok51]

I like both. There. I said it. All of my basses currently are active. Two have passive capability. I am lazy. Tonewise, I can make my actives sound passive and my passives sound active. I don't like the battery deal, but I can get over it. Back to being lazy. I can control the sound of my bass much easier with a three band active...especially with a sweepable mid...than I can with a passive. I can make small adjustments on stage to suit a particular song and never have to walk back to my amp. It's just a convenience thing for me. The amps have evolved to the point that they can easily pump a 'dead-sounding' bass (do I need to duck for the EB-0,1,2,3 fans?) to the point that it sounds like the latest and greatest hot bass. From a simplicity (and cost) basis, I'd go passive. You really don't lose anything. The actives are more flexible. They are enabling my laziness.

Kim

 

[Fuzzbass]

Both.

 

[BuffaloBass]

So far, I like the single main volume on the actives. Otherwise, my old passive bass still sounds better....

Now , if someone would make a modern version of the passive circuit on my old Peavey T40, it'd blow most new stuff away. That bass goes from ridiculous punchy growl, to near upright, to fat P bass with a mere adjustment of the tone controls. Flip a phase switch and you've got a Rick 4001. No battery, no drama. Gotta love that sort of "elegant design", i.e, does a ton with seeming simplicity.

Passive gets my vote so far. Still a-learnin' with my 55-01 though. NOT a humbucker, which is why its back in Chicago.

 

[Mingus Dew]

I prefer active pickups because I can easily get that massive treble sound out of them. If I had to describe the sound im going for it would probably be something like Tool or The Jesus Lizard.

 

[Fealach]

I like whichever one happens to be in a bass that sounds great. Both can sound great, or bad. With actives I do prefer an active/passive switch, for reliability and for tonal variety. And Alembics are active basses that sound great with distortion. Just not with BAD distortion.

 

[FireBug]

OK. Say I want to order a bass, but cannot decide between active/passive pickups. I know I'm going with an Aguilar OBP-3 (active circuit). I would be looking at a MM and Jazz pickup.
*Would there be an imbalance in pickup volume since a MM has massive coils and needs a battery to drive it?
*Is there such a thing as a passive MM?
*Would it pair well with a hotter passive jazz pickup?

And more importantly, how do you switch a bass from passive to active?
*Do you have passive pickups installed, but just pump lots of volts through them?
*Or do you have active pickups that can be turned off and then amplified with electronic circuitry?

I think it is important that people know the difference between an active pickup (which usually have less windings) and an active circuit.
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But I am really confused as to the installment of the active/passive switch and the physics of the pickups. If active pickups are turned off but then amplified through the circuitry do they sound different tonally?

Someone help.