What do you prefer? Active or Passive Bass?

[Brock adcock]

Yes

Chris Rocks Michael Jackson impersonation???

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm after tone, so if sounds good I don't care which. I own two basses with pre-amps on-board (Warwick Fortress 1 and MM Sterling single H) and one (Warwick Corvette Standard) with no pre-amp on-board. They are all night and day different and it's not only the active electronics, because my Warwick Fortress 1 can operate in passive mode.

If I want a pre-amp that doesn't color the passive signal, I use an Xotic Bass RC Boost pedal. I still have the sound of the bass, just with more gain and little added EQ if needed.

 

[Brock adcock]

I prefer passive most of the time. The cheap active stuff... sub 1000 dollars.. feels too unpredictable to me. The tone is just harsh and way too cutty... if that even makes sense to anyone

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Never enjoyed passive instrument.

 

[bassballs27]

Both but if active I prefer to have an active / passive switch. Best of both worlds.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I have and use both. Sometimes in the studio I find it quicker to use active basses. Live I usually use passive basses. Especially in larger venues or outside festivals. I go back and forth.

 

[twinjet]

I go passive almost all the time, but I'll switch the preamp on when I need full power to thrusters. The beauty of G&L.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I used all active basses for 20+ years. Switched to a standard passive P in the past year and couldn't be happier. String dynamics and attack react more similarly to my acoustic upright bass. And I don't have to worry about batteries and can leave my bass plugged in all day and night, which has been awesome! I still have 2 active basses and love the sound of both active and passive, just depends on the gig. But for a year I haven't used my active basses at all except to record on a couple specific songs that called for it.

 

[jnsnj]

I like passive for the simplicity of it. Far less to go wrong. I was recently using the only active bass I own at a practice when one of the contacts for the battery came loose. Fixing it is today's project.

 

[Al Kraft]

I prefer passive most of the time. The cheap active stuff... sub 1000 dollars.. feels too unpredictable to me. The tone is just harsh and way too cutty... if that even makes sense to anyone

I would agree that some of the cheaper electronics don't even do justice to the tonal potential of a lower cost bass. Once you start getting into on-board electronics, thoughtful design and quality matter a lot!

IME, Music Man does on-board well (at least on the US made bass I own and others I've played/heard). I have also been pleased my Warwick's system (whatever it was they put in at the German factory back in the early 90's).

 

[funkinbottom]

I have both active and passive, but this last year been using the active only. Probably because it's my newest bass and just like it. I don't feel there is really that great of an advantage either way though. As many have said, both have much to offer and can sound fabulous.

 

[Brother Goose]

My preference is to have all of my basses have similar signal paths. This time last year I was all passive. Then I landed an active bass, bought another active, and will be putting an Aguilar in my main fretted.

Onboard EQ is great for quick changes and adding headroom.

Just find what works for you!

 

[Kukulkan61]

Passive....hate dealing with the battery and every active bass i ever tried had background noise...

 

[BassmusM6674]

I had both for years. But now all my basses are active with Sadowsky or Aguilar preamps.

 

[bassliner50]

passive.

 

[rafitoprtx]

Hello Talkbass community,

What do you prefer, active or passive bass? I want to go back to playing bass and I need a new bass guitar; I saw this Squier Deluxe Jazz Bass (4 string, active) and I would like to hear from the community on what their comments are for active vs passive bass.

Thanks!

Thats a wonderfull bass. Do not mod it. If you want to sound like a active bass just buy a preamp pedal. That bass is my main.

 

[bholder]

I want a passive-aggressive bass. But not enough to actually do anything about it.

 

[obimark]

I've had both- mostly play passive now.

 

[tedsalt]

I prefer the organic tone of good passive pickups thru a good tube preamp

 

[inthebassclef]

I generally find a passive bass is more reliable in sound.
Some active basses sound amazing, but others sound like utter garbage. So if I was in a bind or could only own one bass it would be passive