P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

[Hapijoel]

Hi all

So some may have seen my other thread about a P/MM/Sustainiac set up...now considering P/J/Sustainiac instead.

However, now I've a new problem - I've only ever used active bass guitars, but I'm really keen on the Quarter Pounders (big Auf der Maur fan) with an STC-3P pre amp which should give me the onboard control I'm used to.

I'm pretty clueless and a little intimidated by the thought of going passive, and worried about noise, especially once I install the Sustainiac which only utilises the bridge J-PU when on, which if I'm right would mean it would not be hum cancelling without the P-PU as well?

If anyone can let me know the various differences between using passive and active pickups (any noise, popping etc) that would be a massive help.

Many thanks!

Joel

 

[uOpt]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

The is nothing inherit about passive pickups that makes them more susceptible to noise. It's just that more active pickups come with decently shielded cables by default and don't "leak" otherwise.

Having said that, I feel that a PJ setup has quite a bit of benefit if it is active, with the preamp being in front of the volume or mix pots. The problem is that passive pickups influence each other when you mix them. That sounds cool on a Jazz bass for what Jazz basses are used, but it isn't half as cool when mixing a split coil P pickup in. By changing impedance before the mixer you isolate the pickups from each other. However, putting just one preamp, after the mix stage, gets you the problem right back.

 

[Hapijoel]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

Sorry uOpt, thats a little lost on me (I'm embarrassed to say I am your classic noob, even though I've been playing for a while, which is worse...)

That set up with the pre amp was recommended by another board member in an old thread which is why I chose it, I liked his description. Would your opinion be to drop the pre-amp or replace the neck P with a J (or both)? I'd be using it for a fair mix of music but generally all in the rock/heavy ballpark.

 

[uOpt]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

Well the problem is that you throw in the sustainiac which most here know nuffin about

What I am saying is that I don't think passive P and J mix as well as passive JJ and that it would be incentive for me to put in e.g. EMGs which have one preamp per pickup so that they don't change their sound when you mix them.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

I have a passive high output pj setup and I love it. I actually like the sound of a blended pj than a jj. It has a less compressed feel and more of a bass/low midrange push, but not too much different. Plus it turns into a classic p bass when you roll off the jazz pickup, which a jazz can't totally nail with the jj set up. That and you have all that bridge jazz pickup soloed Jaco tone goodness. And if you want it totally noise-free, you can get the hot stack for jazz for balance or the classic stack if you like the uneven output and the way the pickups influence each other.

 

[Hapijoel]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

uOpt, Falloffthebonetone, thanks both for your help!

Yeah the Sustainiac is a bit of an issue, but I've wanted to play with one for years...nows my chance! I think I'm understanding the issues with the preamp and both pickups, and I've suspected EMG's may well be the easier option...but I've Seymours in my Jazz bass and I've always preferred their tone so I'm keen to figure this out!

Also, as I already have a J-bass I was hoping to get a configuration that was a bit different, I've had my eye on a P-PU set up with a jazz neck for a while and the added J-PU for flexibility and for the Sustainiac seemed like a good solution.

Falloffthebonetone - Do you use a preamp with your PJ set?

thanks again guys :dance:

 

[Hapijoel]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

...should also add I'm looking for 5 string PU's, so the hot stack wouldn't work

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

Sorry when you said quarter pound I automatically assumed p bass and so since there is no 5 string version,Iassumed 4 strings. I have no preamp. I don't even have a tone knob. If you are going 5 string I would suggest the active route as the passive one is pretty high and dry for pjs.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

Here is what Sustainiac, themselves, have to say on this subject. http://www.sustainiac.com/st-pro.htm#bass

 

[dg27]

Re: P+J set ups - Passive vs. Active?

I have a passive high output pj setup and I love it. I actually like the sound of a blended pj than a jj. It has a less compressed feel and more of a bass/low midrange push, but not too much different. Plus it turns into a classic p bass when you roll off the jazz pickup, which a jazz can't totally nail with the jj set up.

I agree 100%

That and you have all that bridge jazz pickup soloed Jaco tone goodness. And if you want it totally noise-free, you can get the hot stack for jazz for balance or the classic stack if you like the uneven output and the way the pickups influence each other.

I have the Hot for P and Hot Stack for Jazz and it feels like best of both worlds: Very versatile.