Stupid, Naive Tech Question #2337

[alonalion]

If a bass has active electronics with 3 separate EQ controls, can it be plugged directly into
a Power Amp (EDEN Stereo WT) with good tonal results?

 

[Hellbastard]

No. An active bass doesn't have the output required to drive a power amp. Usually you need line level (+4dBu an active bass doesn't come close to that), which means you need a preamp capable to drive the power amp.

 

[line6man]

It depends on the power amp's input gain stage. If it can take instrument level, you're fine. As Hellbastard said, however, most take line level, which means that you need a preamp between the bass and power amp.

 

[walterw]

The answer is "it depends", on how loud the active bass is and how "deaf" the power amp is. That eden might work just fine driven by an active bass.

 

[alonalion]

Thanks for your responses --- I`ll give it a shot and let you know.

 

[spigmu]

I've faced this and haven't had any success going straight bass to the power amps I was faced with, but a cheap ancient -10 to +4 line level booster that had been gathering dust for decades did the trick. A SansAmp BDDI did also, but that was kind of cheating. : ) But if you don't get the level to drive the power amp properly try sticking a cheapo level booster in the chain to see if it sounds decent. I'll bet any clean pedal you have with a fair amount of active gain (with only the gain boost engaged) should make the difference, should it not be enough straight to the power amp.