Question on Bass Guitars
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Jan 02, 2005 03:56 pm it all depends on what you want, both have pros and cons
Passive Pros:
no battery
less internal electronics = less things to cause problems
Active Pros:
more tone control by means of accually boosting levels (passive only cuts)
more tone variation
generally "cleaner" sounding
Passive cons:
usually forced to play with all tone/volume nobs wide open for stronger signal to noise ratio
pots get dirty easier
Active cons:
damn battery dying in middle of show!
risk of overdriving some preamps (use those high and low inputs properly!!)
peace
wyd
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 02, 2005 04:15 pm OldDog,
It's been quite a while since I shopped Peavey, but when I bought my last one nine years ago (is that possible?...shew) there was a huge difference in the sound of their passive and active pickups. The active pickups were much better sound and latitude. A bit on the hot side in comparison to many, but still a decent sound. I still have that one. That one is an Acelerator Plus. They probably don't even make that model anymore.
Jan 02, 2005 04:36 pm active pickups are always better. they are worth the money. all of the best bass guitars i have seen have active pickups
Jan 02, 2005 04:51 pm I dunno, listen to some good passive pickups and they can be quite good. q-tuners come to mind, but yes, I will say, I have actives in my bass, but I will also say don't judge a pickup just by being passive or active...listen to them...
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 02, 2005 04:52 pm Thanks guys, sounds like I'll go with the active electronics. I don't play live so no worries about the battery going dead. :)
Dan
Jan 02, 2005 05:05 pm just remember to pull the plug out of your guitar when you put it down for the night, if you leave it on your stand and leave it plugged in it's gonna drain the battery...
not that I have ever done that myself of course...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 02, 2005 05:19 pm Awe common dB. We have all done it, maybe more then once.
And OD, as dB stated you really should listen to the pickups before making a decision. Although for stock pickups from Peavey, I would guess the actives would be the choice. I tried one of the passives at MGR and it was a bit weak and as stated before not much tonal vareation. The actives will of course give a much wider tone range. But a good set of well made passive pickups will do as well if they are built with quality in mind.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 02, 2005 06:01 pm Thanks dB & Noize. I did get to try out the $1000 version of that model bass and I really liked the feel of the neck etc, though I'm sure comparing the pickups and hardware wouldn't be a fair comparison. I also tried out some Fender's and one other brand I forget, but they were all $500+ except the fender P Bass (Affinity series) and I really didn't want to spend that much.
Just about anything is going to be better than what I'm currently using and most likely even the passive pickup Peavey would suit me, but might as well go AE for the increased tonal possiblilties. Oh and I really dug the color. <G>
I'd never forget to unplug it, I'm sure. LOL
Dan
Jan 02, 2005 06:24 pm I have never been a fan of Fender basses, I had a p-bass for a while years back cuz it was the cool thing to have, and all my heros played them...looking back, I dunno why they did...most of those folks have highly customized p-basses that us common folks can't get.
That said, I love my ESP LTD 5 string...it has actives, nice neck, light weight (for a bass), good feel, it's awesome...and for a reasonable price.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 02, 2005 06:40 pm Hey Olddog:
I received an SX bass from Rondo for xmas, and I really like it. It was very cheap ($150 + shipping), and it really sounds great. I don't have much to compare it against, but I looked at reviews on harmony central and talkbass.com and it seems to be considered a great value for the money. If you're going to buy online without playing your new bass first, then you might at least take a look on Rondo's website and take a look at what they have to offer in your price range.
Hopefully you'll be able to hear mine on a recording before too long!
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 03, 2005 12:29 am I liked the the Peavey bass alot better than the Fender. My son has a Squier P Bass and it's alright, for the money but I liked the neck on the Peavey better.
Tad, I'll check out the Rondo bass, though I'm planning on getting which ever bass I go with thru my local store, but we'll see. :)
Dan
Jan 03, 2005 08:01 pm i have yet to hear a bad thing about rondo. Ive been looking at their agile guitars for awhile now, my next guitar purchase will be an Agile.
Jan 03, 2005 08:04 pm I used to love "Rondo" citrus soda...whatever happened to Rondo?
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jan 03, 2005 08:29 pm l like my fender bass but then im a guy who uses bass vstis a lot...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 04, 2005 12:24 am Heck ya, what ever did happen to Rondo soda? I as well liked that stuff alot. It was better then Fresca as well as Squirt. And I like Squirt. What ever happened to Squirt as well now tha I thin about it?
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 04, 2005 03:05 am thread hi-jackers! :P
Dan
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Jan 04, 2005 11:32 am $0.02
Not sure about active pickups sounding "better." It really depends on the style of music, the player, the outboard gear, and the guitar itself (woods etc.). I have custom wound passive p/ups on my main bass, and they are so very musical. I also have actives on other guitars, and they sound - well - very nice too. There are, as stated previously, so many pros and cons for both, but it really comes down to what suits you as a player, and the songs you are playing. No point having a snarling "Tool" bass sound on a strings and piano ballad - unless you're into that sort of thing. I use a SansAmp Bass Driver with my passives (hot stacked Jazz Seymour Duncans), and it's great! Plus I get to pull my bass out of its case and play. Always. Never a dead battery!
That said, have you considered the Carvin pickups? hey make a very nice active/passive pickup (their guitars are quite nice too). Does the job both ways.
Play play play play 'em all. Find something that works for you.
I'd personally go with a used Fender Jazz or P-Bass against a sparkling new Peavey or ESP, but that's just me.
