Active vs Passive Basses - What's The Difference & Which Is Best? | Talkingbass

This week we're looking at Active Basses vs Passive Basses. Which one is best? Or more importantly, which one is best for YOU!?
Visit Talkingbass: www.talkingbass.net/
In the lesson we'll have a breakdown of what the difference is between both active and passive and then look at the pros and cons in using both basses.
Finally we'll answer the question - Which one is best?
#talkingbass #basslessons #fenderbass
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[@sarahdop4071]

So much sense and intelligence, spoken without pretentiousness... how can anyone not like the video? Didn't think I would learn much, but I definitely did.

[@bigdog8444]

Eat ass

[@forestfire1232]

@@bigdog8444 what was that for bitch

[@curtvincent3728]

Brilliant. I am an Electrical Engineer and a mediocre bass player. But I have to tell you, his explanations are 100% accurate. I also love how he clearly spoke of the horrors of having an active bass die on you on stage in front of many, many people. Been there, done that. Embarrassing. Went back to passive! LOL Thank you Mark! So glad I am one of your students and customers! The Talking Bass site is awesome!!!

[@talkingbasslessons]

Thanks Curt. My dad was an electronics engineer. I've been surrounded by this stuff all my life.

[@victoza9232]

Curt Vincent Why didn't you just get a bass with an active/passive switch?

[@curtvincent3728]

@@victoza9232 Yeah! good point!!!!

[@curtvincent3728]

Wait a minute! I thought about what you said, active pickups need power, I didn't think active pickups can even work in a "passive mode." This would require a set of passive pickups,, right?

[@victoza9232]

@@curtvincent3728 With a bass like the Yamaha TRBX604FM, for instance, the pickups have active/passive preamps on their two pickups. Active mode, would, of course, require a 9-volt battery. But if that dies, you'd just flip the switch over to passive.

[@SrTubular]

As always, Mark provides a clear explanation. On this issue of active vs. passive, I love that everyday more and more basses now have the active/passive switch, so you can have both options in one instrument.

[@RC32Smiths01]

As someone who isn't necessarily the biggest gear geek or wiz out there, a video like this is definitely something I need! Informative and helpful for someone who is deciding on which of the two is more useful!

[@CasualWatcher279]

My first bass is an Ibanez sr300, it's active, and this vid helped me really understand what I'd gotten myself into

[@cd0u50c9]

Get a bass with a preamp, passive pickups and an active/passive switch - you get the best of both worlds and the safety should your battery go flat.

[@unknownkingdom]

Wrong. Watch the vid again.

[@bobbys4327]

You have the most informative videos out. I for one think you give THE best information for a short concise video. Great job as always!

[@thomasfioriglio]

Congrats on the new app, Mark. Thanks for this quick overview. I had downloaded it a week or so ago, but had not gone through it. This was helpful. Wishing you all the best with it. Your channel is the best out there and you are a natural teacher.

[@billbill7345]

I love how you present your material! Alway informative and straight to the point! Good show!

[@Shoggy56]

Very well done. Clear and to the point with no unnecessary frills. Thank you so much

[@briancherry8088]

My active bass drains the battery whenever the cable is plugged in. So if I leave it plugged in overnight for a few nights the battery will be dead. It took me awhile to realize the awful sound coming out of the bass was the battery dying. I wish I had this video a few years back. It's really informative. thanks!

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

Check your bass' output using a multimeter for possible DC drainage and if so solder a condensator between wire and contact into the plug.

[@myTheus95]

That switch from the passive to the active bass was smooth af. Good job, mr. Editor.

[@hondawilky]

My first experience with an active bass was when I was playing my cheapie Yamaha bass on a little Peavey amp, and a kid I knew brought his Alembic over to my house. I'll never forget the sound that bass made come out of that dinky little amplifier. I was sold right there. It's why I bought my Warwick, too.

[@maxwellcary4885]

I prefer to run a passive bass into an outboard preamp (in my case, the Sansamp Bassdriver DI). I get all the tonal benefits that are associated with active basses, but no worrying about a battery, No fussing around with unlabeled EQ pots to dial in my tone, no wiring, soldering, or routing my bass to accommodate a different preamp if I dont like the one thats preinstalled, and I find that I have much more control over my signal chain when I separate the instrument and preamp/effects components entirely.

[@Misscatss]

Thank you so much for this video. You break down things simply and efficiently!!

[@hernanbarski814]

Crystal clear explanation. Thank you!

[@Romans--bo7br]

Thanks Mark... "Love" ALL of your videos... Very articulate, precise, intelligent and Very informative in a simple and direct approach, with no "gutter" language.... that Anyone with "half a brain" should be able to comprehend. Very Much Appreciate all the work, time & effort you put into producing all the videos & teaching that you bring to all of us "out here" on the net. I'm retired and just starting to Re-learn the bass after 48 yrs away from it... I have three... a Douglas violin body, an Epiphone "RumbleCat" (Allen Woody) , and an Ibanez SR300E (active) which is new. I've been subscribed to you ever since I found your first video just last October (2019) and I've learned Much from your free on-line videos. Thanks again.

[@darinz7182]

This was phenomenal. Thank you! - especially distinguishing between passive and active pickups vs. passive pickups with active eq. Very nice.

[@kryschiou4449]

the explanation is so clear and so useful! thank you, master!

[@kristc99]

You are awesome! All your tutorials and info have helped me enormously. Thanks so much. I got a Rogue active bass, a no name bass but it’s economical and I like it a lot. But, the passive mode never worked. One evening we discovered the bass was silent because one of those little battery wires had broken, and we were unable to fix it on the spot. I got to play bass on a borrowed guitar all evening, quite an experience for someone who never played guitar. My husband took the guts out of my bass and made it into a passive bass, much better for me. I have plenty of controls on my amp and effects pedal. I also carry a spare bass now, just in case. So, just something to keep in mind....

[@christopherblair6636]

just the best video about passive/active guitars (not only bass !!) wow thanks from France

[@IamHere2468]

I went to a premier and got left on the red carpet....... Just got started on bass and had no idea. Thanks Mark!

[@TheZotman5]

Best description I have heard so far. Than you.

[@ljgarrison6910]

Brilliant information, thankyou!

[@adolfovilla7547]

So complete video! Thanks

[@tonbassman1075]

Good explaining Mark! As always btw. I have several courses from you and I must say, they are great! My playing grows to the next level. Thanx mate.

[@grizelda4526]

Great info! Thank you.

[@pampurrs88]

Awesome Mark. Thank you!

[@stevebrighttheblackguitar653]

Great explanation, thanks for the info! Nice to Learn!

Thanks for this splendid explanations!

[@aussiecoastie72]

Fantastic video , very well explained 👍

[@sergiofelce9483]

Very Informative! thanks!

[@jasonkane454]

Great teacher , brilliant.👍🎵

[@jefftheubercubes7322]

Nice video mark, Who doesnt like Mark? I mean I LOVE MARK.

[@petermolnar8769]

Thanks! Your video bring light in my brain. 😁

[@johnhumberstone9674]

Perfect, thanks Mark.

[@dpdupuis5]

Good informative video. One more thing to point out is that although many active basses do in fact have a bypass switch to go back to a passive like mode, most still require a battery to do so. In short...the bypass switch is not gonna save you if your battery goes dead in the middle of a set. Just a point of clarification. Keep up the good work!

[@talkingbasslessons]

My old jazz was like that. I had it rewired to true bypass. Easy job.

[@bazmole]

I love the sound from, and simplicity of, a passive p bass. Volume and tone, thats it. Want more tone? Change your playing.

[@killerriot22]

YES. I'm saddened that they are becoming ever so rare to find. But am grateful and happy I am lucky enough to have a vintage 85' Peavey Dyna-Bass that has both active and passive modes. The pureness of the woods, strings, body and playing style is incredible to hear and play!

[@sega.milkis]

That's YOuR opinion)

[@firemarshal2629]

You can change you’re playing all day but a p bass will always sound like a p bass. It’s part of the charm, it’s a limited sound but a hell of a limited sound.

[@xXMUurTXx]

Great informative video thanks :)

[@charleswidmore5458]

one of the top 3 bass lerner guys on the internet he is. Seriously though you one of the best at this.

[@jasoncherry3404]

Thank you for the video, I’m currently looking at a passive jazz bass and I was wondering if I was making the right choice. I’ve tried several different basses both active and passive up till now and the one that I’m most jazzed about is a simple passive jazz bass. A lot of the active basses I tried had too many bells and whistles and it was to much trouble for me to dial in the tone that I wanted. The passive jazz I found however just sounded amazing the moment I plugged it into the amp at the store. This video really helped me seal the deal on the passive jazz bass, thank you if the tutorial. I watch your videos all of the time and have found them extremely helpful.

[@t.josephine9308]

Thank you, Sir ! I’m a beginner and your explanation was thorough and comprehensive. Pree-shee-ate-cha !

[@MemeLordOzai]

Yeah I have an active with lace pickups in it(which I love the sound of) and for a recording the output was insane lol. I love that boomy SOB

[@adibass2674]

Crystal clear sir..

[@SantaWithGuns]

Just bought my first bass, it didn't have a battery slot so I assumed it was passive. Popped it open for a humming problem and saw a lose wire, but also a battery. Thanks for explaining this I was confused why there was a big ol chip and so many wires.

[@BonesofGoldSkateboarding]

Thanks ! Now I know the difference 🎉

[@badger4361]

Best description I have seen.

[@OswaldBatesIIIEsq]

I used to play bass and the I preferred a passive bass. The jazz bass with the bridge pickup and the tone all the way up and the neck pickup off was alright with me.

[@markhutchcox3567]

great vid helped me so much

[@viniciusrossini8302]

thanks for this lesson. See you (From Brazil)

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

Great explanation

[@GeorgeEI7KO]

Hi Mark. Some preamp kits, like the Zolkov for example give you the best of both worlds. Switch up = active Switch down = passive. Finally found myself a lefty Harley benton for cheap price. I'm able to play a few bits now lol. Loving it! Wish I picked it up at 14 instead of 44 but how and ever.

[@darrena.marcus8534]

Hi How is that HB bass working for you? My nephew is also a lefty and am looking for an entry level bass for him

[@markpresquito7902]

I'm more into passive because I don't like batteries. Anyway, very informative content! Thanks Mark!

[@shischo]

Mark, youre the best of the KZbin

[@hoompaloompaa]

Well, many artists have been working with passive basses since they were created.

[@stephenhookings1985]

Great lesson as ever. I quite like active because it is possible to change tone myself and boost a little mid set when your band decide to play louder than soundcheck and the desk engineer has fallen asleep. Not sure why but the Harley Benton P450fl still works if the battery goes flat - pull out volume knob - the level change is slight and the extra tone knobs still work. Some active basses just die when the battery goes flat. Just don't forget to unplug guitar lead when you finished and take a spare set along. Oh and try to get one that PREVENTS you putting battery wrong polarity - I have seen it done. Expensive lesson. Also our sound engineers don't like turning gain up too high on some weaker passive pickups I have (because other bassists have active). "Why we have to turn your bass up?". Passive. Just crank it up a little. There I soundcheck even a bit rolled off - gives me a small headroom available if necessary.

[@musenw8834]

Some basses actually can toggle between active and passive so I'm guessing that's the HB

[@musenw8834]

If I were to get an active bass, I'd want that toggle switch as a staple and not a purely active bass like the stingrays

[@TheEntrepMan]

I'm about to purchase a bass guitar tomorrow. Thanks for this.

[@BlackRootsUNLIMITED]

Very good video. VERY informative. Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿

[@robv.o.1777]

I have noticed with active pickups, that your technique is also amplified. Ghost notes can turn into terrible unwanted pitch harmonics. Finger placement , sliding, and pressure become very pronounced. I believe my technique has improved by listening to myself through headphones and recording practice sessions. By learning the unforgiving nature of active pickups, I can truly see Tony Levin as a more amazing player than I originally thought.

[@musenw8834]

that too. sometimes the slap sound also tends to be sharp instead of warm and fat

[@kurtborchers6178]

i had an experience a few years back that kind of fits this subject, but in an aftermath sorta way....lol. anyway, i had an Ibanez 5-string and my Active EQ blew out and i wanted to get it fixed, but the cost of replacing the active EQ (with parts and labor) was gonna run about $325 or so. for that, i could just get a new one, but the bass had sentimental value. so i asked the tech if he couldn't just rewire it with a passive EQ setup and he wasn't sure, so he checked and since my pickups were passive, the passive EQ was an easy fix and, more importantly, that $325 bill went to like $35. that's quite a difference in cost. so if your pickups are passive, you're not locked into an active EQ should it need repair. and you could save a lot of money.

[@deadseamonster]

My god that bass sounds amazing. My Jazz bass is all I've ever needed.

[@tonyrichengod9280]

I started with a passive, then when I tried an active it was a REVELATION! Sooo much easier to play (for me!) because hammer-ons and pull-offs just sound off louder without having to hit the string too hard, which results in a more relaxed and less tiring playing experience. Very addictive!

[@markbass354]

good video Mark and there's the Marcus Miller Fender , I wish I had one

[@shawnhuff3920]

I like passive no battery 🤪 but one of the bass guitars I own my G&L.. tribute. L-2500 is an active and passive bass guitar by using a switch 👌 and it has an active boost 👌 with humbucker pickups 😊

[@LilYeshua]

Thanks

[@perrysar5954]

Passive with a Boss GEB-7 bass eq pedal.....TONE HEAVEN!

[@ciddax754]

Active Pickups can be very useful if you want to add a lot of gain or stacks of pedals. The low noise floor keeps the threshold of the noisegates low. That's why you see EMG often in metal genres. - If you only have an active preamp, go for a 'Oh shit!'-button or knob, to bypass the active electronics and going full passive.

[@iqi616]

I have an active Aria (lefty-P J, Pro Steels) and a passive Kimbara (J J, Swings). I don't have a favourite because they sound very different. TBH it's hard to separate the sound of the EQ from the sound of the pickups (and the strings make a difference too). The active EQ on the Aria definitely enhances the punch of the instrument. Similarly the laid-back SD Quarter Pounds on the Kimbara don't need anything more than the passive tone control to roll-off the high end when I'm feeling mellow rather than growly. Between the two I have almost all bases covered 😀

[@DanButcher303]

Can we talk about how cool the TalkingBass logo is ? I really like the logo. I have both active and passive basses. The active seems like more fun to me now. Would've just been confusing in the beginning.

[@morneb2000]

great video, made alot of things on my bass more clear now. one question if i may and that is about strings. how often do you change them? blessing Morne

[@fredgonzalez6619]

You da man!!!

[@owenmasters4365]

Get a passive and a preamp pedal (I recommend a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra)

[@brandonyankees1]

Active sounds so crisp, batteries lasted me 8 months playing an hour a day

[@dornelli1]

4:12 BEAUTIFUL FENDER SOUND

[@BatEatsMoth]

I like passive everything. But I don't play slap or anything else that would require active boost. I optimize tone with pickup height. Everything else is just effects adding something extra to the mix.

[@lancegraff5415]

You rock!

[@yuuharuna2702]

Thank you for the information.. as a beginner, do you have any tips what type of bass I should get?

[@rahulmurthy1763]

BASS PROFESSOR

[@scottsguitarlessonsblacksa9648]

Thanks for the explanation. I have a '74 reissue Fender jazz bass,so now I just need to find a good active bass. Any recommendations?

[@chinny0803]

Great video! Just curious, what made you move from the John east preamp?

[@bassistdc]

If your active bass does not have a bypass switch you should also own a passive bass.

[@upgrayeddjohnson2018]

I have A NTMB preamp in my Warwick I put it, it used either a single 9v or a double. The double 9v battery is louder. The single 9v is not very loud, but there's extremely low noise. Not all active preamps give you more output decibels.

[@cyborgchimpy]

but that's literally what a preamp does. in this same video he explains active pickups are less wound so they have less output and the pre-amp brings it back to around normal levels. if not boosted

[@Daddy53751]

I’m pretty much agnostic on the situation. I’m really a “the right tool for the job” guy, and for me they both have a seat at the table, depending on what you’re doing. Forced to choose one axe only? I’d have to go old school and stand with passive.✌🏻

[@jmd76family]

I always thought that the electricity came from your fingers. Thanks for clarification.

[@Tonys_Gabagool]

Every time I check out one of your videos for info it's very helpful! But then halfway through the video I feel like I should quit playing bass lol just hearing those quick slap examples makes me put my bass away.

[@gargoile001]

Is active bass is (more or less) equivalent to pasive +preamp? If it is, I prefer passive+(good)preamp, because then I have no problems with a battery.

[@Stereosichtgeraet]

To my ears and fingers active basses somewhat equal out some dynamics of my playing. That can be desired or not. In my case I like full dynamics for some of my pedals that react to changes of amplitude, like autowah, synth-pedal, overdrive and compressor. Any buffer or active pedal seems to do the same to the signal, so it might be irrelevant to you. Just something to keep in mind.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Active electronics shouldn't really have any impact on your dynamics.

[@iqi616]

My active bass doesn't have that effect; it's just as responsive as my passive bass. Is it clipping a bit or maybe has a DC offset?

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

That P is lovely, all you need is a passive P.

[@talkingbasslessons]

It is.

[@whipitwings3561]

One big drawback to powered (battery operated) anything is if go to a gig venue that has orbs you can rest assured that your batteries will be sucked dry. Do a search for orbs. I would use non-powered pick-ups and electronics and a ZOOM 607 with plug in DC current.

[@runner1507]

Passive!!!

[@antoniopizarro7670]

Great video, as always. So, what's the difference among : 1) a bass with ACTIVE preamp on board 2) a PASSIVE bass played through an EQ pedal with a level boost such as this one (at 2:53, TalkingBass video) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZXCgadmbp2JiZY 3)a passive bass played through a preamp PEDAL. Aren't they all basically the same? That is they, all allow for tone shaping with added level, don't they?

[@mrcipher8101]

I want to get either an active Jackson bass with passive pickups or an active Ibanez with passive pickups. If I get one of them can I use distortion pedals on it to get the sound of Cliff Burton or Lemmy? Will it work with these kinds of basses?

[@geraldmuller533]

Hi. Which pickups did you mount on your marcus miller fender jb to compensate the A and D distance to the pickups (well known problem with the 7.25 radius) ?

[@stormbringer67]

Ok, well explained! But here's some questions: what is YOUR preference and why? Second: when i listen to people like you on YT (the pro's!), i always feel that their sound is really great. Wether it is you, or Scott from SBL, or some other bass teacher out there: their basses always sound fantastic. So how come? Do people like you have very expensive pickups? Pedals that we don't see? I can do what i want with my active jazz bass or amp (or my compression pedal), but i never come close with the sound of my bass.......

[@talkingbasslessons]

The simple fact of the matter is that we’ve all been playing a loooong time. There are a million tones you can get from any bass with a simple movement of the hand, angling of the fingers, plucking velocity and more. Factor clean technique in there and it gets even more complicated. The sound you hear on YT is not the sound we hear through an amp. It’s a digital recording through a di box and then by way of amp emulation and a little care and attention post. The decision to use active or passive pickups is very personal and made through experience.

[@stormbringer67]

@@talkingbasslessons thank you!

[@MrTimjm009]

I use passives. If I want a different sound I would rather just fiddle with the amp til I have what I want

[@anomaliesandtherealdeal]

Thanks for sharing

[@spacesloth6496]

The pre active tone what is better than the Marcus miller active tone controle ? Is there. Any better ?

[@cmvb]

Options: -passive + amplifier(EQ) -passive + preamp Pedal + amp - passive + EQ pedal (or boost) + amp Same with active. Choose what you prefer...

[@ajadrew]

Is flat on the MM Jazz tone controls central or rolled right off? I ask as I've just bought a SansAmp preamp which suggests having the bass tone controls flat...

[@talkingbasslessons]

Center. Unless you get a John East Marcus Retro circuit. Then the bass control is boost only so flat would be all the way down.

[@ajadrew]

@@talkingbasslessons Thanks!

[@zeusapollo8688]

Active electronics fixed everything that was wrong with my basses (and technique) for the last 20 plus years

[@talkingbasslessons]

That should probably be cause for concern. Active electronics shouldn't have any impact or influence on technique.

[@zeusapollo8688]

Haha. Judge not my friend...crappy pickups and terrible amps make you hit the strings hard to try to cut thru the mix. A good active circuit and amp with giant balls lets me just tickle the strings now

[@suparerkmongkolsmai7141]

M