bertbass Posted June 17, 2012 Author Posted June 17, 2012 I think the point is that regardless of whether it's active or passive a broken bass is a broken bass and no bass, no gig or at least a gig with no bottom end and we all know that that's the best bit. Both the flying V and strat were passive but a broken off head stock would have put any guitar or bass out of action. The insulation on the socket on my bass had broken down so no amount of bending would have got it working again and the same would have applied with a passive bass. Had I had a spare jack socket, even a mono one and as a bass player I find it remiss of me not to have one in my spares case, I could have got the bass working again but it would have delayed the start of the first set and left me not the cool, calm chap I should be on stage. But using the spare, no problem. Quote
chrismuzz Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 The original point definitely stands regardless of the active/passive sidetrack we've gone onto.. Having a spare is always a good idea! Thankfull I have never in 8 years brought one along, nor have I needed one... phew! Quote
Ou7shined Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 I never had any problems in over 25 years of gigging (true) but I always take along a stool and an acoustic bass just in case my jack socket craps out on me ... it's not quite the same seeing as we play very heavy rock and my drummer is about the loudest in the city... but hey at least I'll never have to ask for a shot of someone else's bass. (Good shout btw Pete ) Quote
mckendrick Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 [quote name='luckman67' timestamp='1339936543' post='1696432'] I used to take one & although I never used it it was nice to have it there just in case. [/quote] I take a spare bass coz it's looks really cool sat there behind me on it's stand. Quote
chrismuzz Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 Now that I take two basses to gigs (a 5 string in standard tuning, and a 4 string thats half a step down), if an emergency ever did crop up I would just tune the other one up and down a lot Quote
jaybass 70 Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 [b]Same thing happened to me at a gig with my trusty (or has it turned out my not so trusty !) Passive Precision , Jack Socket Failure !![/b] [b]No support band,, No spare bass,,Miles away from home [/b] [b]Luckily one of our Roadies spotted the fault and butchered a guitar lead and Soldered the wires on to the Jack socket wires , saved the gig,[/b] [b] Never leave home without a spare one now, even to rehearsals[/b] Quote
Fitz666 Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 On the subject of spare basses? I would rather look at it than look for it. I always take one... Quote
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 Regarding the active circuitry: This started happening to my Washburn status. Eventually, the circuitry came out and now it is a passive bass. More popular sound with ex band mates Quote
Lozz196 Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 Yep, can`t cover every eventuality, but a spare bass, spare strings, spare of each lead, basic tools, and a DI/eq pedal are all essential in my view. Quote
BigRedX Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 All the instruments I've owned which suffered from circuit problems were all passive and all failed either at the jack socket or the pickup selector switch. Quote
mcnach Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1339965092' post='1697018'] I only own passive basses, this is one of the reasons! Both the actives I've owned have had electronics trouble... Plus I prefer the midrange and attack of a passive! [/quote] why do you assume a passive bass has to have a significantly different midrange and attack from an active bass? These two things are unrelated to whether you have a preamp there or not (with or without EQ). Not saying passive is worse or anything, but "just sayin'" Quote
lettsguitars Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 [quote name='jaybass 70' timestamp='1340001789' post='1697299'] [b]Same thing happened to me at a gig with my trusty (or has it turned out my not so trusty !) Passive Precision , Jack Socket Failure !![/b] [b]No support band,, No spare bass,,Miles away from home [/b] [b]Luckily one of our Roadies spotted the fault and butchered a guitar lead and Soldered the wires on to the Jack socket wires , saved the gig,[/b] [b]Never leave home without a spare one now, even to rehearsals[/b] [/quote]Spare roadie? What a good idea. Quote
chrismuzz Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1340057802' post='1698585'] why do you assume a passive bass has to have a significantly different midrange and attack from an active bass? These two things are unrelated to whether you have a preamp there or not (with or without EQ). Not saying passive is worse or anything, but "just sayin'" [/quote] All of the active basses I've tried sounded 'smoother' in the midrange, with a big bottom and and extremely glassy highs. Not bad sounds by any means, but didn't seem to have as much character to me. I found I was always turning the treble down, but leaving the mids where they were as they didn't sound 'right' boosted. All this is IME of course! Quote
mcnach Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1340064845' post='1698708'] All of the active basses I've tried sounded 'smoother' in the midrange, with a big bottom and and extremely glassy highs. Not bad sounds by any means, but didn't seem to have as much character to me. I found I was always turning the treble down, but leaving the mids where they were as they didn't sound 'right' boosted. All this is IME of course! [/quote] I see what you mean, I think that's what I call "modern sounding" and I don't particularly like that sound. But a Stingray or a Jazz with a J-Retro are quite different animals, as are many others. There really is as wide a variety as in passive basses. Edited June 19, 2012 by mcnach Quote
LukeFRC Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1340064845' post='1698708'] All of the active basses I've tried sounded 'smoother' in the midrange, with a big bottom and and extremely glassy highs. Not bad sounds by any means, but didn't seem to have as much character to me. I found I was always turning the treble down, but leaving the mids where they were as they didn't sound 'right' boosted. All this is IME of course! [/quote] try some more Quote
chrismuzz Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1340068253' post='1698731'] try some more [/quote] But then I might want more! Quote
mcnach Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1340075648' post='1698741'] But then I might want more! [/quote] and the problem with that is...? Quote
chrismuzz Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1340091530' post='1698820'] and the problem with that is...? [/quote] I'm already in the dog house for owning three! Quote
police squad Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 I use an EUB on Police tribute gigs but I'll be buggered if I'm getting a spare for that!! My P bass let go on me once. Pickup went open circuit, since then I carry a spare bass. Quote
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