Is there a reason active/passive switches don't disconnect the battery?

[Chistopher]

Now that I'm getting a second bass, I've decided it would be best to gear my current bass (Sub4) more towards being a practice bass. Right now I'm thinking the easiest thing to do would be to add a switch that bypasses the pre amp and disconnects the battery.

The issue with this is apparently it's not standard to disconnect the battery in passive mode. Is there a reason for this?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Do you want passive tones, or just to not mess with batteries? If it’s the former, I get it. If it’s the latter, 9Vs tend to last a long time.

 

[ICTGoober]

For many basses (and guitars) with active electronics, the battery is turned on when the plug goes into the jack. And the battery runs down if the instrument is left plugged in for a long time.

 

[Chistopher]

I guess this question isn't too pressing anymore. I added an active/passive switch to my bass but wired it to disconnect the battery in passive mode. Most active/passive basses don't disconnect the battery, but I'm not seeing any problems with it. I'm guessing it's something like if they did, it would make it more likely for someone to leave the instrument plugged in over night in active mode and then come back to a dead battery

 

[El Dunco]

You might like the G&L L2000. The bass and treble knobs are passive and cut only. It has a three way switch with passive mode, active mode which is louder but without any EQ embellishment and then active with top boost in the third position. It’s my absolute favourite bass and can cop Stingray, Spector, P bass, J Bass and even throaty Warwick type sounds with it’s series/parallel switch in different pickup combos.

 

[Chistopher]

I was actually looking at one of those. They do look kinda cool spec wise, and I hear people love the MFD pickups

 

[El Dunco]

I was actually looking at one of those. They do look kinda cool spec wise, and I hear people love the MFD pickups

I have the L-2500 (US 5-string) and it’s really the only bass I need.