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Something about passive mode..

#61
Passives are sweet, but I’ve been fiddling around lately with the active basses to help me clean up my technique.

I didn’t realize how sloppy I was until about a year ago when I got the 30th anniversary edition of the EBMM SR5. The pickup and preamp combo on that bass is super-hot IMO.

The imperfections in my technique were amplified (no pun intended) when I played/play that bass and it forces me to be more conscious of what I’m doing…kinda like a Tour Striker training club for those of you who play golf.
 
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#62
I started electric bass with a Jazz Delux, which did some nice things with on board EQ. I don't remember the reason I installed a passive set and circuit, but I still remember the feeling of excitement with the new organic lively sound. I can admire tracks with a forward active bass, but I shy away from going back.
 
#67
Did some A/B comparison playing two basses a few months ago using a Hartke 12" combo amp and no pedals. My bass is a 2008 Warwick Custom Shop 5-string, $$, and can go either active or passive. Other bassist had a Fender P-bass, 4-string, passive with rounds. Mine also had rounds that weekend. Both sounded similar on the mid and upper D and G. Mine had a little more 'ump' on the A. The Fender took control on the E. My Warwick was nicer and his P-bass was nasty in the low E string. More growl and bite maybe. I liked it and remembered when I played only P-bases many moons ago. If I get a second bass I'll consider getting another P-bass, probably a 4-string, passive all the way.
 
#68
One of the main reasons I chose my Kiloton as my main is the fact that it's a passive bass. I've been thinking about getting a L2500 just to have the active as an option, but I've have bad experience with active basses in the past. The passive/active switch is really appealing.
 
#70
5string5fingers said:
So I recently got this amazing Fender Jazz Deluxe V. Cant put it down, love it.

Yesterday, I decided to switch passive mode.This was my first time really playing in passive mode in this bass other than a function check of the switch and there is something about it...

I have been playing exclusively an active bass for 4 years now, and ibanez sr400. This was the first passive J bass I have played in probably 10 years and it was a strange experience for me. I love the active mode, and switched back and forth and set flat there really only seemed to be a volume boost and a treble boost going to active. I can only describe the passive mode as delicious. I cant even explain the feeling and sound, and dont know what it is.

Anybody else feel this way? I love what active electronics give to you, but dang if passive isn't just awesome. I think I've just been away for too long.
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I dont like the active controls. I always play in passive. It has so much more character to the sound.
 
#71
Bassa Nova said:
Let’s see this beast! Pics please
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This is the only one I could find in my phone. 19mm spacing. Nordstrand neck pickup. Duncan NYC5 bridge pickup. Right at 8 pounds. Love. This. Bass.
20180825_175719.jpg
 
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#72
I started on a passive 4-string J, went to an active 5 for a while, then "re-discovered" the passive sound a few years later. Finally got my hands on a passive 5 and literally haven't played anything else in two years. The passive J tone is my forever home base of bass tones.
 
#76
Alembic Epic-2.JPG This is my only active bass - and, unfortunately, I can't play it in passive mode - there's no switch to throw. It's active or (without the battery) nothing. It will probably stay my only active bass, too; they just don't do anything for me. I honestly don't think what I like to play - like, say, "Day Tripper" or "White Rabbit" - sounds better when I play it on the Alembic than it does on a 4001 Rick or a Gretsch Broadkaster. Sounds worse, actually... IMO. I'm still trying different strings, but.. it always sounds kind of... thin, I guess. I'll figure it out eventually, I hope.. it is a very nice bass, otherwise...:whistle:
 
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#77
BurtMacklinFBI said:
For me it depends on the instrument, but given how little interest I've had in picking up my EBMM since I started playing passive Yamahas I may be in the same boat. For the basses I'm playing these days at least, passive just works and works really well.
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I hear ya, I have barely touched my Stingray since getting a Highway 1 Jazz bass. That thing just oozes tone. My Franken P sounds even better and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a vintage Sb-2!
 
#78
I have 5 basses, 3 are active/passive and I came quickly to the conclusion you did. I really only have one bass that I play in active and it's an ESP with Bartolini Soap Bars with the Bartolini preamp and I can say it's the only active tone I like so far. One of my other basses has the Sadowsky preamp in it and honestly I never use it.
 
#80
I pulled the preamp out of my Carvin SB5000 and ran it passive VVT. It sounded better, weighed a little less and didn't make POP noises when plugging into the PA.

After playing only passive basses for a long time I have my first "active" (onboard preamp) bass; a Warmoth MM clone. I figured the preamp is a significant part of the MM 'ray tone so I went that way despite my preference for the simplicity of passive.
 
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