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possible to make a passive bass active?

ghostjs

ghostjs

Aug 14, 2008
925
3
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ghostjs
Disclosures
Unofficially Endorsing: D'Addario, Lakland
#1
i have a MIM fender Jazz bass. i love the build quality (better than the MIA's ive played) but i feel like it could use a lot more tone. it has a decent tone but i was thinking about switching out the passive electronics for active ones but im not sure how that will work since its a passive bass.

so my question is: can i put some active electonics into my passive bass?
if so, what modifications would i need to do and also if its possible to have a 2-band eq, not a 3 band on it (i want to minimize the amount of knobs on this thing)
 
#4
Yes you can.

Can either replace your stock pickup for a set of EMG which is active pickup

or

Replace the stock electronic for a preamp.

or you can do both.

Also you can have stack knobs on the bass so you can have 3 EQ on the preamp with 3 knob control.
 
#6
EMG, assuming you like their pickups, has kits available for their active pickups, It a pretty easy install. I am sure there are others who have simular packages but I have first hand experience with the EMG's. Your local music store can probably do the install for you without too much extra cash but doing it yourself is a noble endevor

enjoy,
Todd :)
 
#8
J-Retros are direct replacements (i.e. come in a custom Jazz control plate) and you don't need to do any soldering because you screw the wiring in rather then solder it, heard nothing but good things about them. EMGs/other actual active pickups will probably change the tone more significantly, whereas a pre-amp will just give you a louder sounding bass.
 
#9
Check this out: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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You can keep your v-v controls and add a stacked treble/bass knob in the tone position, no additional hole required in your pick guard.

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And don't forget the battery box you'll need to add in the back:
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You can't go wrong with an Aguilar preamp, it's installed on many high end boutique basses.

While you're doing the wiring thing, you might also consider replacing the pickups:
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Get your frets leveled, and you'll have a very sweet sounding and playing bass.

Good Luck!!!
 
#12
hmm thanks a lot guys! i played a lot of active basses as well as some jazz basses that were active. i like the flexibility but i still need to know what kinda mods are needed to make it active besides replacing the pups.
 
#17
Make passive bass active...hmmm
Seems to me if u take it to gigs = active
Under the bed, in the closet = passive
If you take it out more often it might even lose some weight and be lighter to carry around. Worked for my Aunt Betty and Uncle Henry, they got active and lost weight. :D
 

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