Active VS. Passive

Agent Graves · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:55 am Post subject: Active VS. Passive

The eternal debate. I prefer passives... mainly they sound more natural and thick whereas actives sound a bit too processed and mechanical (IMO).

Which Ibanez models are active and which are passive? They don't come right out and say it in the instrument descriptions. It's just vaguely implied.

SRXThunder · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:57 am Post subject:

Goto the web site and look. Wink

But yes, for the most part I agree. I prefer the tone of passive pups over actives. However, Duncan makes some pretty thick sounding actives which I do appreciate.
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JayJay · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 3:57 am Post subject:

While you pros are at it, let me throw you a question. I may have to
buy myself a bass for recording purposes. I can't really play it but
enough to get songs recorded. The actual question is that can I
manage with passive elec. or should I get an active equipped one.
I'm not playing any funk or so so I'm not gonna thumb or anything,
just simple riffs and backgrounds. What is a good bass
with LOW price, not necessarily an Ibanez, short scale preferred as
I am a guitar player.
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Thanks

Jani

SRXThunder · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 6:02 am Post subject:

I'd go with the Ibanez SR300 or a Fender Squire. For what you're needing it for I'd stick with passive electronics. That's the most cost effective. Once you start getting into active electronics the price starts going up.
_________________
Some motherf*ckers are always trying to ice skate up hill.

JayJay · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 6:40 am Post subject:

Thanks, that's what I thought. I'm just so fed up with programming
the bass lines with computer, heh. It's like hammering a plastic bucket. Very Happy

I just recently borrowed a friend's Washburn with active electronics
and thought it sounded pretty good although I didn't like the bass
itself. Gotta check them out... The reason I asked is that I'm not gonna buy an amp but plug it straight into my computer instead. I wonder if
the passive electronics work very well that way. Sorry to ask stupid
questions but I'm really a total moron when it comes to bass guitars.
I also wondered if active electronics are a little more quiet for
computer purposes.

Thanks for the info

Jani

SRXThunder · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 8:22 am Post subject:

If you're going to plug your amp directly into your PC make sure the amp has a midi-out line.
_________________
Some motherf*ckers are always trying to ice skate up hill.

JayJay · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 8:33 am Post subject:

Thanks, I just noticed my typo. I'm not going to have an amp at all, sorry... Very Happy

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Thanks

Jani

Agent Graves · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 10:53 am Post subject:

Sorry I got here too late to answer your question. I would agree that since passives are cheaper and you're a guitarist mainly, go with them. They sound great and I'm sure you won't go wrong.

As for short scale, I don't have any recommendations. I'm a guitarist and a bassist (equally)... when I play guitar, I like it to feel like a guitar and when I play bass, I want it to feel like a bass. I never used short scale basses.... the don't look or feel right to me and the low strings are a bit floppy when you tune down.

JayJay · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 2:44 am Post subject:

Thanks, it's all good... I'm not really into hurry, just toying with the idea.
I might go with a Hamer USA bass since I'm a huge fan of their quality
and I might get one relatively cheap.
_________________
Thanks

Jani