What is everybodys opinion on passive basses compared to active basses and the pros and cons of each talking about all aspects of playing them both wether it be blending in with the band, soloing up high on the fret board, their sound in general, clarity, low end, anything.
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Passive vs Active
- Thread starter metallibass95
- Start date
There's two ways to end this thread:
1. Use the search function.
2. Recognize that active rules and move on.
1. Use the search function.
2. Recognize that active rules and move on.
i prefer passive just because i hate having to worry about my battery dying on me. i do like the fact that active basses give a stronger puch to it. it depends on what you like
I like both. I like the tone shaping ability and "punch" of an active but i also like the organic tone of a passive.
There are many different preamps with many different vibes. Some have a battery bypass, some don't. Some are very deep. Some sound like an amazing vintage bass. Some are modern/hi-fi, etc.
Yes, there's the obvious drawback of battery life, but as long as you don't leave the bass plugged in, it's rarely an issue. I just throw a few 9v batteries in the case, along with a screw driver, battery tester, and other things like strings. If I have a gig or recording session coming up, I check the batteries beforehand.
Yes, there's the obvious drawback of battery life, but as long as you don't leave the bass plugged in, it's rarely an issue. I just throw a few 9v batteries in the case, along with a screw driver, battery tester, and other things like strings. If I have a gig or recording session coming up, I check the batteries beforehand.
Two different animals. Try active and passive basses through your rig and see which ones sound the best to you.......
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
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Or mostly identical animals. Many of the active basses I've owned have sounded identical when in passive or active mode- if the preamp is designed for it, active mode can sound exactly like passive but with the option to boost EQ points.
I have transitioned to Active recently and really like an active bass (MM SR-4 and G&L L2K). The G&L can do both active/passive with the flip of a micro. I like having setting the amp controls pretty much flat, and controlling my sound from the active bass. The tone/punch for the Alt. Pop Rock band I play in is quite suitable. I use a passive JB for the Jazz combo and use my G&L L-1000 and SB-2 and P-bass for blues classic rock stuff.
Having just started my venture into the world of active I'm really liking it so far for certain applications.
Having just started my venture into the world of active I'm really liking it so far for certain applications.
Been playing both but my last bass (SB5000) the passive tone is sweet and have not used the active circuit. Each bass is different.
Very true. I think one of the main take home points is that there's a lot of variation. All of my basses are active and I have quite a variety of sounds. There seems to be a notion that there's an "active sound" which just isn't universal.
Keep in mind, passive basses don't have a universal sound, either.
Philosophically, I have to think keeping the preamp inside the amp gives better room for quality components and all.
But passive means less signal, which might make it hard to handle long cables or stompboxes.
I'm thinking of adding an active pre to my current project, a double P. But I'm afraid of it losing its P-ness.
But passive means less signal, which might make it hard to handle long cables or stompboxes.
I'm thinking of adding an active pre to my current project, a double P. But I'm afraid of it losing its P-ness.
There is a punchiness to passive pickups that you don't get with active systems. Jaco's bridge pup for example.
For hi fidelity sounds ala Marcus Miller active is the way to go. Super shiny top end and extended low end.
I find that the lower fidelity passive sound is easier to fit into a rhythm section mix. They just sit in the right place with out a whole lot of fuss.
The opinions expressed here are my own... of course
For hi fidelity sounds ala Marcus Miller active is the way to go. Super shiny top end and extended low end.
I find that the lower fidelity passive sound is easier to fit into a rhythm section mix. They just sit in the right place with out a whole lot of fuss.
The opinions expressed here are my own... of course
You cannot actually debate on this! It is all about who is playing the bass....active...passive...all can sound good and have their benefits. I recently got a Yamaha BB414 for fun...entry level passive...loud and sounds like a million dollars!
Warwick Thumb 6
Yamaha TRB6P (JP pups)
Yamaha TRB1006 x2
Yamaha BB414
Cort NA6
Custom made VX 4string
Squier Vintage Fretless
Eden, Genz-Benz, Hartke, Warwick amps/speakers
Warwick Thumb 6
Yamaha TRB6P (JP pups)
Yamaha TRB1006 x2
Yamaha BB414
Cort NA6
Custom made VX 4string
Squier Vintage Fretless
Eden, Genz-Benz, Hartke, Warwick amps/speakers
I actually just took a passive Lakland Jazz bass and had a JRetro preamp installed in it.
There's a thread that I made a while back and I just posted some audio samples of the bass in both Passive Mode and Active Mode. You can check it out for yourself here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9509268&highlight=#post9509268
It's on post #46
Passive sounds very raw and aggressive, while the active tone can be aggressive, but is really more smooth and refined.
To me, they both have their good qualities, but I lean more toward active basses because of the huge tonal options available.
There's a thread that I made a while back and I just posted some audio samples of the bass in both Passive Mode and Active Mode. You can check it out for yourself here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9509268&highlight=#post9509268
It's on post #46
Passive sounds very raw and aggressive, while the active tone can be aggressive, but is really more smooth and refined.
To me, they both have their good qualities, but I lean more toward active basses because of the huge tonal options available.
I like that my active basses don't ever get the 60hZ buzz... but that doesn't really matter since I stopped using an amp.
FWIW, my Steinberger sounds almost exactly the same with active EMG's or a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder.
FWIW, my Steinberger sounds almost exactly the same with active EMG's or a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder.
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
Administrator
Gold Supporting Member
Supporting Member
- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
- 20,932
- Disclosures
- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
You've got a couple things here that are confusing. An "active" bass is almost always talking about a bass with an active preamp. Nearly all pickups are passive with some exceptions (some EMGs and MECs, etc.), so those are rarely even considered. Being that most active basses have passive pickups, you can certainly get that Jaco bridge pup sound with an active (Tom Kennedy does it most every night
) The Marcus Miller jazz also has passive pickups IIRC.
