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Post subject: is it worth makeing an active p bass active/ passive?
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:18 pm
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im thinking of doing that switch for conviniece...any words on it?...or even how 2 go about doing it?


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Post subject: Re: is it worth makeing an active p bass active/ passive?
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:32 pm
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buzzanr wrote:
im thinking of doing that switch for conviniece...any words on it?...or even how 2 go about doing it?


I personally think it is worth it. Not only will your bass be able to work if you run out of batteries or if your preamp cuts out (which can happen) you will uncover a tone that you can't get with your active preamp.

All preamps color the tone. For better or worse fender preamps color the tone a LOT. By going passive, you are getting the pure output of the pickups, which can often sound quite different than the preamp's interpretation of the pickup's output.

Are you using a stock fender preamp? I'm not actually sure how to add this switch on fender's preamp....


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Post subject: Re: is it worth makeing an active p bass active/ passive?
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:37 pm
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anubis16 wrote:
buzzanr wrote:
im thinking of doing that switch for conviniece...any words on it?...or even how 2 go about doing it?


I personally think it is worth it. Not only will your bass be able to work if you run out of batteries or if your preamp cuts out (which can happen) you will uncover a tone that you can't get with your active preamp.

All preamps color the tone. For better or worse fender preamps color the tone a LOT. By going passive, you are getting the pure output of the pickups, which can often sound quite different than the preamp's interpretation of the pickup's output.

Are you using a stock fender preamp? I'm not actually sure how to add this switch on fender's preamp....
Quote:

i got the deluxe p bass special....its completely stock so watever pre amp is in there is the one it came with...so yea its the stock one...but i can turn the active EQ settings so that it produces the natural tone of the pickups..idk if ts tru..but it says so. and wouldnt there b a way to do this by getting a new pot?...cus i rele dont wana drill holes in it you noe?


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Post subject: Re: is it worth makeing an active p bass active/ passive?
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:31 pm
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buzzanr wrote:
anubis16 wrote:
buzzanr wrote:
im thinking of doing that switch for conviniece...any words on it?...or even how 2 go about doing it?


I personally think it is worth it. Not only will your bass be able to work if you run out of batteries or if your preamp cuts out (which can happen) you will uncover a tone that you can't get with your active preamp.

All preamps color the tone. For better or worse fender preamps color the tone a LOT. By going passive, you are getting the pure output of the pickups, which can often sound quite different than the preamp's interpretation of the pickup's output.

Are you using a stock fender preamp? I'm not actually sure how to add this switch on fender's preamp....
Quote:

i got the deluxe p bass special....its completely stock so watever pre amp is in there is the one it came with...so yea its the stock one...but i can turn the active EQ settings so that it produces the natural tone of the pickups..idk if ts tru..but it says so. and wouldnt there b a way to do this by getting a new pot?...cus i rele dont wana drill holes in it you noe?


"Flat" EQ on a preamp is not completely flat: there is still some coloration from the preamp.

You could use a push/pull knob as the active/passive switch.


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Post subject: Re: is it worth makeing an active p bass active/ passive?
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:48 am
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anubis16 wrote:
buzzanr wrote:
anubis16 wrote:
buzzanr wrote:
im thinking of doing that switch for conviniece...any words on it?...or even how 2 go about doing it?


I personally think it is worth it. Not only will your bass be able to work if you run out of batteries or if your preamp cuts out (which can happen) you will uncover a tone that you can't get with your active preamp.

All preamps color the tone. For better or worse fender preamps color the tone a LOT. By going passive, you are getting the pure output of the pickups, which can often sound quite different than the preamp's interpretation of the pickup's output.

Are you using a stock fender preamp? I'm not actually sure how to add this switch on fender's preamp....
Quote:

i got the deluxe p bass special....its completely stock so watever pre amp is in there is the one it came with...so yea its the stock one...but i can turn the active EQ settings so that it produces the natural tone of the pickups..idk if ts tru..but it says so. and wouldnt there b a way to do this by getting a new pot?...cus i rele dont wana drill holes in it you noe?


"Flat" EQ on a preamp is not completely flat: there is still some coloration from the preamp.

You could use a push/pull knob as the active/passive switch.


that sounds good..but where would i even get one like that?..and how would i install it?


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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:27 pm
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I would suggest if you have to ask how, then you need to hire a pro to do it for you. That's not something you want to mess around with unless you know what you're doing.


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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:45 pm
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yea ur prob rite man...but thats gona run me up some money...and idk if its worthit 2 do that


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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:45 pm
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Yeah, you would probably want a professional doing it. I don't know if it would be as expensive as you might think... it really depends on what the pro charges.

Is it the end of the world if you dont get the switch? no. If you're happy with the tone then that's less of a reason. But if you feel you're missing something, or just not quite getting the P-bass vibe, it might be worth it.


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Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:48 pm
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yea i guess....but its not that im not gettin the standard p bass vibe..i just dont wana be playing a show or in the middle of doin something and the power dies and i have no bass you noe?


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Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:03 am
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I agree the push/pull pot is the way to go, but frankly I don't think you can do it with the stock Special preamp. You'd have to get a preamp designed for passive and active in the first place.

The battery in a Special seems to last a VERY long time so long as you remember to unplug the bass when you aren't actually using it. So I do not think it is worth it to convert a P-Bass Special to switchable passive/active. Probably you could buy a great second hand passive bass for about the same money as the conversion would cost and actually be better off. I have two basses at most gigs, one is always passive and one is usually active but sometimes I take two passives. It depends on the gig.


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Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 7:40 am
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that makes sence..but i also have a yamaha passive bass....so i should be fine with it all then?


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