i prefer the active models over the passive..
The Stingrays and Sterlings are all active and the active SUB sounds like them.
The Stingrays and Sterlings are all active and the active SUB sounds like them.
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S.U.B. Club
- Thread starter chrism2sych
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I actuallhad a black on black EBMM Sterling.. Beautiful bass guitar.. and had my Teal SUB 4 string .. Both active models..
played them trough the same amp a the same settings and they sounded a lot alike.. not a whole lot of difference.. I could make the Sterling do some other things that the sub didnmt offer.. but the tones were not what I would have used to play with any how.. so it didnt matter.
They both had fat bottoms, punchy mids and sharp crisp highs.. their tones were very very close.. and the sub almost sounds exactly like the Stingray.. I dont think you could tell the difference on a recording.
played them trough the same amp a the same settings and they sounded a lot alike.. not a whole lot of difference.. I could make the Sterling do some other things that the sub didnmt offer.. but the tones were not what I would have used to play with any how.. so it didnt matter.
They both had fat bottoms, punchy mids and sharp crisp highs.. their tones were very very close.. and the sub almost sounds exactly like the Stingray.. I dont think you could tell the difference on a recording.
The teal isnt that bad in real life
I was shooting for a red one but that fates brought me a teal one to my door
Still those white ones looks pretty sweet too
just got my SUB!!! oh my gosh it's gorgeous!
Black with red tortoise pickguard. I'm so happy
I have a question though:
I've never had an active pickup bass before so... What happens if I'm playing and the battery runs out? Will my sound cut off or does it then basically become a passive bass?
Black with red tortoise pickguard. I'm so happy
I have a question though:
I've never had an active pickup bass before so... What happens if I'm playing and the battery runs out? Will my sound cut off or does it then basically become a passive bass?
So does the passive, minus the unnaturally extended ranges.
It's not that I hate the MM preamp as such, it's just that I don't need or want active bass circuitry for most of what I do and would avoid it entirely in a gigging bass as a reliability/nuisance issue.
I would have bought a new S.U.B. at $329 whether it was active or passive (after all, I bought it *PURPLE*
), but I'm just saying I'm totally cool with it being a passive for my own use. The terrific weight is the fatal problem for me. 
If an active bass doesn't have a bypass switch that permits it to go into passive mode, you will be playing a bass no one will hear.
It's pretty bad, but trust me, it's nothing like the dingy purple.
I think black or white are about the least offensive you can hope for in a S.U.B.
If an active bass doesn't have a bypass switch that permits it to go into passive mode, you will be playing a bass no one will hear.
really!?! that sounds so dumb. what do most people do? just bring a back-up battery?
do batteries last long in an active pup bass?
sounds like I need to invest in a volt meter and just check before each gig I suppose.
I don't think there is any kind of switch on this SUB to let it go passive so it's active only I presume.
I'm in love with this bass! I just had to put it down now because my fingers are about to fall off.
I sure think so, particularly with the circuit enabled by the cable plug with no indicator.
Preemptively change batteries a lot.
Usually, but not if you forget to remove the cable from the jack.
"Oops."
I suppose it's a small price to pay for having active pups. Personally I really like the active-ness of this bass.
Thanks a lot for your help bongolation
Thanks a lot for your help bongolation
does one battery comfortably last like a 4 hour gig for example?
this is so surprising to me that when the battery runs out the thing just shuts off.
so what's the trick? just put a new battery in before each gig?
anyone have an approximate life for a 9-volt (in hours) in a EBMM?
I use Duracell. Longest I've ever had one last (taking the plug out when not being played) was prolly 15hrs minimum. A fresh one will last you through a long gig and not sound bad. Before they go out it will sound like you've blown a speaker on your amp. Take the battery out of the bass and check it with your tong. They last a long time. When I play out (I'm not in a band, I just jam with friends) I always keep a 9vt in my back pocket, and I always (no matter what) keep a 2 pack of durracells in my case.
you mean "tongue"???
can you explain in more detail? will it feel warm or something if it's running out?
sounds like I gotta get a pack of 9-volts from CostCo asap
Yeah my bad lol I'm sleepy.
No it will sound distortionish when it is running low. Let me find the vid, this guy made his bass distortiony just by playing with a weak battery.
It'll start sounding like that.
No it will sound distortionish when it is running low. Let me find the vid, this guy made his bass distortiony just by playing with a weak battery.
It'll start sounding like that.
ok, wonderful!
so at least before it completely quits out on you in the middle of a solo or something you'll be able to hear that it's time to change the battery with some fair warning?
that sounds more reasonable. phew
Now all I need is to decide between the GK MB210 or GK MB212 (and then purchase them) and my rig will be hugely improved
so at least before it completely quits out on you in the middle of a solo or something you'll be able to hear that it's time to change the battery with some fair warning?
that sounds more reasonable. phew
Now all I need is to decide between the GK MB210 or GK MB212 (and then purchase them) and my rig will be hugely improved
Yes You will hear it coming, prolly 10 minutes or more it gets as bad as it was in that vid, you'll prolly have a chance to change the battery in between songs if you don't put a fresh one in before every gig.
Does it surprise you that your amp doesn't work when it's unplugged?
A lot of people do.
The point is that it doesn't go all at once under normal circumstances, but if it was on the downside of its useful life already and you left the cable in after the sound check, you're in for a nasty surprise when you start your set hours later.
Batteries are often pretty hard to get to on some basses, too, especially when people are yelling at you and it's dark and you can't find a screwdriver.
Some active basses have what I call a "get out of jail free switch" that lets you just flip over to passive mode when you have battery or preamp failure, but most don't.
I can monkey with tone on the amp or effects chain; I don't need something else to fiddle with and worry about if I'm trying to gig.
This bass actually has a super easy battery compartment to access. no screwdriver or ne thing needed.
still on cloud 9.
thank you all for the help
still on cloud 9.
thank you all for the help
