Switching between active/passive basses and one amp

[Bret]

I'm getting an active bass and need to know how people switch between active/passive basses and one amp. My amp has separate inputs but i have an effect in my signal chain that I want to use on both. The rest of my effects are in the amp's loop. Is it as simple as adding an A/B switch on that line? If so do you recommend the Boss or Morley one? Cheers!

[mcnach]

active basses are not necessarily louder... so try that active bass alongside your other basses before worrying about this.

I have a bunch of active and passive basses... and most are reasonably similar in output. The only one that's much hotter is a G&L L2000... and that one is very loud in passive configuration too.

[phagor]

An A/B switch will work, but if you want to balance the two basses so that they are similar, you'll need something with level controls.

I have an EBS Microbass which is great for this - I can switch between two basses with different eq, and a bit of overdrive on one channel. There are other similar boxes - the Basswitch IQ DI (pricey), Radial Bigshot...


Or you could use a Boss LS2 - they go for £50 second hand and are very useful for other things, like blending fuzz with your direct sound.

Another cool option is the Korg Pitchblack Plus - a tuner with 2 switchable inputs. No level controls though.

[Bret]

Problem solved. £13 at my neighborhood guitar shop. Works great and no noise.

[IMG]http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/5733/img1622f.jpg[/IMG]

[fretmeister]

I use a funny thing on the bass called a volume control.

[Bret]

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1362515935' post='2000718']
I use a funny thing on the bass called a volume control.
[/quote]

Wait. What? Can you buy these online? Who am I kidding? You must have a custom bass.

[Jack]

You mentioned you already have a pedal board so might I suggest any pedal with a volume control. I turn it off for my loud and passive Fender and turn it on to boost my active and quiet Musicman. I have a Mooer Pure Boost. Guitarist uses a Behringer EQ pedal and only touches the volume slider.

[gillento]

The RMI Basswitch is the best you can get! [url="http://www.rmi.lu"]http://www.rmi.lu[/url]
It takes care of levelling, eqing your different basses, keeps your effects pedals under control.... and has one of the best DIs!!!!

Edited March 8, 2013 by gillento

[p58]

Friend of mine built for me custom instrument selector. My Stuart Spector Euro LX5 has very hot output, way hotter than my passive Fender Jazz Bass, so I wanted something that can adjust the volumes and I wanted to have it a bit fancy (pots with light etc.).



https://plus.google.com/photos/104146856705988679512/albums/5823559421929540209?banner=pwa&authkey=COXTnOaTp_C86QE

Edited March 12, 2013 by p58

[mcnach]

[quote name='p58' timestamp='1363094672' post='2008284']
Friend of mine built for me custom instrument selector. My Stuart Spector Euro LX5 has very hot output, way hotter than my passive Fender Jazz Bass, so I wanted something that can adjust the volumes and I wanted to have it a bit fancy (pots with light etc.).



[url="https://plus.google.com/photos/104146856705988679512/albums/5823559421929540209?banner=pwa&authkey=COXTnOaTp_C86QE"]https://plus.google....COXTnOaTp_C86QE[/url]
[/quote]

I don't need one, but that's pretty cool!

[countjodius]

Sounds like you're sorted, but Bright Onion make a great & affordable AB with volume:

http://www.brightonion.co.uk/products/AB-Switch-with-Volume-Control.html