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Using active electronics with an amp that doesn't have a padded input?

K

ka0ttic

Apr 6, 2007
68
25
Daytona Beach, FL
#1
Hopefully this isn't too stupid of a question... just starting out on bass and looking for an amp.

I bought a bass that has two active humbuckers. I noticed that some amps have two inputs, one for passive basses and one that is padded for active basses.

Is it required that I use the padded input with the active electronics?

I'm wanting to get the Ampeg BA115 eventually which has both inputs but I'll probably get a cheapie 10W practice amp to hold me over until I can save up enough money. I just want to make sure it's safe to use the active electronics on the cheapie amp that probably won't have a padded input.

Thanks
 
#2
It takes a very, very hot signal to require using the input pad on any amp. I use a variety of 'hot' output active basses, and have never overdriven the first stage of the input of any amp I've owned.

You should be fine. Also, many 'active' basses (i.e., basses with an onboard preamp) have internal volume pots to adjust the output of the bass.

So... I would guess you would have no problem. The non-padded input always sounds the best to me anyway.... not sure if that is just because of the extra gain, or because it's a more 'pure' route to the pre-amp, given there isn't the circuitry inserted to reduce the input gain.

Edit: The 'active/passive' names that some amp manufacturers use is kind of misleading, and really doesn't correspond to the type of bass (active or passive), but is meant to represent the output level of a bass, with 'active' representing a hotter signal (and hence an input pad) versus passive. Interestingly, the ONLY bass I've ever tried that required the active padded input is the passive Reverend basses, which have just unbelievable output!
 
#4
For what it's worth, I have a Peavey Max 112 that has a surprisingly good output (1 12" & prox 40W), is very efficient, and actually served as a fine emergency backup in a good-sized club (PA support) when my Hartke needed work. At around $200, it's a good permanent practice amp and a decent regular amp for small gigs. BTW, the Ampeg is a nice choice, but if money is an issue, the SWR LA 15 at $300 or so is pretty darned nice too.
 
#7
I would suggest saving enough $ to buy something that will serve you well both for personal practice and a decent level band practice. Otherwise its kinda like buying a disposable amp... Those 10 watt amps also generally have terrible tone and will not cut it for much more than personal practice.
 
#8
You can use the passive or non padded input on any amp with your active bass, and I do it at home with my practice amp every day. Just don't turn the volume on your bass up full. Somewhere between half to 2/3 is about right. I set the output on my active basses to match the level of my passive basses and it works out fine.

Don't base your choice of amps on it having an active and passive input jack. You want some clean power, say 200 watts or more and good speakers to be heard with a band. I havben't used the Ampeg you mention but I probably wouldn't pick that myself. I'd drop about $500 into a Yorkville Sound XM200 combo or one of the comparable Peavey combos for something to play gigs and band rehearsals with.

What I use for just at home practice is a Yorkville XM50C, which is surprisingly good and loud for the money (around $300 US) I've also got a little Peavey Minx, which I've had for many years, for at home. That's another good reliable amp. I use a bigger 300 watt combo for gigs.
 

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