Pro-active, I like my basses to know where I'm going before I know where I want to go. But I have both and I use them as they fit with the project I'm working on.
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What do you prefer? Active or Passive Bass?
- Thread starter raygo
- Start date
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- Tags
- active active passive passive
Four out of five of my basses are active. I have nothing against passive basses, and own one, but I can't get the sound I like.
- Jul 7, 2010
- 3,383
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- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
I played both for years, but I have found for my taste passive is the best overall tones I have had. Especially recording.
Sometimes the preamp is just a bit too much coloring for me when I record.
Just my take...
Sometimes the preamp is just a bit too much coloring for me when I record.
Just my take...
I prefer passive basses. No battery, no added noise, no limited dynamic range. If I want to lower the output impedance, then I can use a DI box.
Wow, thread started 6 am and 6 pages of responses! Oh, i don't have a preference, got both.
It depends. For reggae I prefer the sound of passive jazz pickups (My Fender J has Dimarzio model Js). For straight up rock I like the passive Fender P. For slapping, it's hard to beat a MM pickup with active electronics (I have an Aguilar pickup and preamp in my Carl Thompson tribute bass).
Welcome back and I apologize on behalf of all the unproductive passive aggressive responses.
If you are getting back into playing, the Squier Deluxe Jazz Bass is a great start. We need more information to help you.
What is your budget for a bass. Will you also have to buy an amp?
What kind of church music do you play?
How accomplished are you? What is your skill level?
Is there a good quality bass amp at the church?
What kind of bass did you use before?
Did you use passive or active?
I have an Ibanez SR500. Active. It sounds great with all controls flat. Rarely use the controls, but it sounds great. The battery has been in there a couple years, but then I use long life li-ion batteries.
I just bought an inexpensive Jazz bass copy with passive electronics. It sounds so good compared to the old Jazz I had 38 years ago. Modern electronics and pickup science have made it to where even sub $500 basses sound great.
Start with the Squier Jazz bass. Get a good gig bag and take good care of it. No nicks ore scratches. If the day comes you feel you outgrew it you can sell it for a good price if you keep it mint.
Good luck and let us know what you get!
When all I had was two Schecters w/ onboard preamps I wanted for a quality passive bass. But then I got my hands on a Spector with a Darkglass Tone Capsule and I am HOOKED, active all the way! I plug that baby into anything and it sounds good. I could plug it into a microwave oven and it would sound good! Take note that I prefer a coloured sound, and if I had a passive bass would be running a preamp or eq pedal anyway.
I prefer passive, at least mentally, but I am really loving my classic stingray, I'll just have to get over the fact it has a battery in it.
Ductapeman
Ringmaster and Resident Geriatric
Early in my career there were no true active basses, until Alembic came along, and no way I could afford one, so I stuck mostly with Fenders, and have led a long, happy life-- bought a used Ibanez active once, the 9v connector was busted up and would only play as a passive, so I guess there you go-- not opposed to them in principle, though, just never seemed real relevant to me
