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Would an active jazz have better low end?

#3
Active does usually equate to more low end. However, almost by definition, it means more top end. Combine that with the scoop that the Squier Deluxe V and it just may sound like you have LESS low end. If you are a fan of normal jazz basses I doubt you'll like it unless you modify it.
 
#4
Gonna buck ol' Kwesi here and say that an active bass can add or diminish a broad range of frequencies.

Since my Deluxe Jazz has actually three comfort zones for tone quality (HIGHS, LOWS & MID-Cut) and can both add and subtract them as the knobs are turned, there's not much chance of one value dragging another value with it.

Boost the bass and the highs stay where they are ----- and vice-versa.

For me, an active bass is just one more tool in my arsenal. I would have no fear in having it as the ONLY tool too -- so much so that I could live with just it and no other basses in my collection.

But I won't do that.
 
#6
How about: more capable of reproducing sound at that particular frequency.

I think as subjective as it may be, we all know when a note sounds 'hollow' or not forceful or wispy and/or weak.

It may not have a full compliment of the fundamental in it or our brains cannot put the missing pieces into perception of the note that its being played. The brain can only fill in just so much of the missing pieces.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that 'better' means more filled-in, clear, total or full of the fundamental of the note played.
 
#8
michael_atw said:
I believe the general thought is that Active Fenders with Noiseless pups are notoriously thin on the bottom end. I've found that in personal experience as well. I feel like EMGs bring forth the same issue. What's in the Squier Deluxe V?
Click to expand...

Can't say I've had the same experience. The American Deluxe Fender Jazzes I've tried (pre-2010, with the Noiseless pickups) have had just as nice a bottom end as the passive standards. The Squier Deluxe Active basses are VERY different beasts though. They've got proprietary pickups. They aren't terrible but they can definitely be improved upon. It really all depends on the bass as to whether or not certain pickups agree with them. For example, I couldn't stand Nordstrands in my old Fender but I love them in Nordys.
 
#12
sammyp said:
i think your best bet for tone enhancement is replacement passive pups .....duncan, dimarzio etc!
Click to expand...

Not a bad idea I think. I've got a passive parts J-bass: Warmoth neck, rather hefty old ESP body (Jazz clone), and it's loaded with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups. Aside from what contributions the woods are making, the DiMarzios actually give me more low end than I want. When I play that bass, I typically have the low control on my rack preamp cut to at least 11:00 or 10:30. They're passive, but they're bold!

I also had a Korean neck-thru SSD some years ago which was loaded with passive EMG Hz's and a bass/treble preamp. After swapping in a set of active EMG's and a three band preamp, I didn't get a big improvement. All I really had was some more control over the sound that was already there along with pickups that were a little more sensitive.

As I see it, improved electronics will help you (and your amp) to "hear" the strings shaking in your bass, but if a good fundamental isn't there, a preamp can't really make something out of nothing. My passive Jazz has decent pickups that I like, but I think that the solidness of the bass also furnishes a solid tone to work with.
 
#13
My Fender Active Deluxe basses are fabulous.
I love the preamps.
I love the noiseless pups.
I love the variety of tones and punch I can dial up without going back to my amp head.
Fat bottom is never a problem
Neither is LoMids or Mids or Growl or anything else I want to dial up.
I'll never go back to passive.

My sound says it all.
I'm playing through a Markbass 800w head and 2 Avatar B410 Neos. Love it.

:hyper::bassist::hyper:
 
#14
active basses can and have more low end than passive. But, the electronics are boosting the signal. The stock electronics on my Squire deluxe active V were fine, but the pickups were a little polite. But if you have a good amp it shouldnt matter as you should be able to dial in what you need. I swapped out the stock pickups and pre for a set of Seymour Duncan Basslines SJB-5s and an Aguilar OBP-3 pre. Tons more low end than the stock setup.
 

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