• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The P Bass

#23
I like active basses...I really do...but I also think that they're overrated and sometimes unnecessary, especially when it comes to Fender's. I can get most of an active bass's tone out of how and where I play on the instrument. Most people can, if they're not lazy about how they play.
 
#26
Honestly I have 2 active basses, both P/J style Ibanezes, one with Ibanez pickups / EQ, and the other EMG.

I originally started out with a Squier PJ, and found that for MOST of the time I played it with the balance / pickup select knob whatever it was called, turned all the way to the P pickup only position.

That was 12+ years ago... With the current crop of Alder bodies / maple necks, even the Affinity series P basses are instruments to give consideration to...

Your best bet is to get into a shop with the basses, hopefully set up decently, and play them. Then you'll know for sure if you like it or not.
 
#29
There are actually some passive pups that are made hotter than actives out there. You just have to shop around, do your research. I have a '99 Squier P that is my first bass and I have heavily modded it. I love that bass, the feel, the sound, the look. I put a maple fretboard on it and put active EMG-PAX's in it and it is a snarling, punchy aggressive beast. EMG's are super easy to install too because most if not all are plug n play, no soldering involved.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maxdusty
#30
I love the sound of my active Ibanez bass... a lot. Regardless, most/all of my future basses will be passive. You only need active to boost (passive electronics can still cut) and I rarely do either before the amp if I do any EQ. Plus there's a tone knob on damn near every pedal too. I'm tired of worrying about / replacing batteries. The only advantage to active in my opinion is the buffer in the preamp allows you to use a longer patch cord, but a buffer pedal (or just about any pedal if turned on) will take care of that anyway, and I usually go for a shorter cable between my bass and the pedalboard anyway.
 
#32
gregmon79 said:
There are actually some passive pups that are made hotter than actives out there. You just have to shop around, do your research. I have a '99 Squier P that is my first bass and I have heavily modded it. I love that bass, the feel, the sound, the look. I put a maple fretboard on it and put active EMG-PAX's in it and it is a snarling, punchy aggressive beast. EMG's are super easy to install too because most if not all are plug n play, no soldering involved.
Click to expand...

I have an RBX170 a P/J that I'm going to mod with new pickups soon. Might have to look at those EMG-PAXs.
Anyway to the op, I have a mix of active and passive basses - passive doesn't necessarily equate to less power, it's in the pickups. I was primarily an Active bass user - but was surprised at how much of a difference good pickups can make.
Another passive bass example I'm thinking of is a Spector Performer I once had. It was super loud and powerful- more than some of my active basses, went to open up the back to switch out the battery as it was around the time batteries usually need changing. Imagine my surprise when I realized it didn't have one.
 
#35
Maxdusty said:
I have an RBX170 a P/J that I'm going to mod with new pickups soon. Might have to look at those EMG-PAXs.
Anyway to the op, I have a mix of active and passive basses - passive doesn't necessarily equate to less power, it's in the pickups. I was primarily an Active bass user - but was surprised at how much of a difference good pickups can make.
Another passive bass example I'm thinking of is a Spector Performer I once had. It was super loud and powerful- more than some of my active basses, went to open up the back to switch out the battery as it was around the time batteries usually need changing. Imagine my surprise when I realized it didn't have one.
Click to expand...

Im sure they make a set for the P/J's. THey have a PAX and JAX type in the same series. THey are crystal clear and send a really strong and clear signal out. I plan to put a set in the VM jazz I picked up recently. IMO just all around great pups. May not be great for a "vintage" type sound, but I can say that they are usable with the tone rolled all the way off which I cant say for many other pups Ive tried.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maxdusty
#38
WhackJob said:
The only problem I see with it is that the Slandered p bass doesn't have active pickups.
Click to expand...

Someone slandered a precision bass?! Horrors!!! ;) ;) ;) I will assume that you meant to type 'standard'. As others before me have stated, you don't really need a preamp in a P. If you leave it passive, it will teach you the 'ins and outs' of right-hand (assuming you use your right) picking and plucking technique. If you want the most powerful split-pickup, get your fingers on a G&L MFD - these things will blow the ears off of your head and will drop right into your P. When you roll the volume knob back a bit, they will sound more like a 'normal' precision pickup. What ever you do, have fun with it!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back