Seeking recommendations for Active/Passive Bass

#21
CavilingCraig said:
Having owned and gigged an L2500 (Tribute; the electronics are the same) for more than two years, and now being a Peavey Cirrus player, I honestly would say just pan your pickup blend toward the neck. It has the significant points of the tonal profile of a P-bass. The rest is EQ'ing out highs (5k). ...
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No disrespect when I say this (after all it is all opinion anyway), but I could not disagree more with your post. I have had an American L2500 for 17 years and a Peavey GV for 16 (basically a Cirrus and I have played the Cirrus before aside from pretty woods and neck through on the Cirrus and Graphite on the GV they feel and sound nearly identical; GV preamp even has Cirrus stamped on it if I remember correctly). The L2500 has significantly more growl and power than I could ever coax out of my GV. The series/parallel switch on the L2500 offers tonal variation that the Peavey could only dream of achieving (even with a 3 band 18 volt pre). Add the K-Mod to the L2500 and you add a single coil mode to the series parallel switch (even more options). I will agree with you that the active mode is just a boost (and as hot as the MFDs are on the L2500, it kind of does not need a boost). However, I will add that there is also a treble boost mode. Bass is passive, active, active w/treble boost.

I also agree that if OP likes the 35 inch scale and neck on the Cirrus the L2500 may not be for comfortable. I personally find the L2500 more comfortable than my GV, not that I dislike the feel of either.

I am not knocking the Peavey with this post (just like you were not with the L2500), after all I have kept mine this long and added an American made Millennium to my collection years after buying the GV. My point is there is no way I would take a Cirrus over the L2500 for the genres that the OP described (granted bass choice is a very personal thing and bass is only one piece of a larger tone puzzle that includes technique, amplification, speakers, etc.)
 
#22
ahadl2500 said:
The L2500 has significantly more growl and power than I could ever coax out of my GV. The series/parallel switch on the L2500 offers tonal variation that the Peavey could only dream of achieving (even with a 3 band 18 volt pre). Add the K-Mod to the L2500 and you add a single coil mode to the series parallel switch (even more options).
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Personally, the comment on growl and power I think is overstatement. Cirrus's have lots of growl. It is a little bit more high-mid centered when set to center blend, but it is certainly a bass that tends toward a more aggressive sound. And as far as power, again, the Cirrus is a very powerful bass. My Cirrus 6 was significantly more powerful than the L2500. We are talking about two instruments that will both tend to be way more powerful than your average P-bass (the point of comparison). On both of these qualities, we are comparing apples to apples. I can't imagine ever being concerned a Cirrus doesn't have enough power, or for that matter, growl.

The second statement about tonal variation that a Peavey could only dream of achieving is again a little overstated. Series for the most part is useful for giving a bit of a low-mid bump, and cutting highs and super-lows. Sure, this is easier done by flipping a switch, but it isn't as if the bass suddenly changed pickup locations or switched string types. We are talking about an investment of possibly a $1000 for a bump in EQ. And again, this is not 'the P-bass' sound, which is what OP is seeking. This particular sound (I didn't find it super useful) is something that a Cirrus user would EQ at the amp, probably not on the bass. But it isn't unobtainable for the Cirrus.

I added the K-mod to my L2500. The single coil mode is most useful for a scoopy Jazz with both pickups equal sound. This is something the Cirrus can already do a lot better than the G&L. Not a contest here.

Neither bass was a recording staple for older funk, but arguably the Cirrus has a precedent in Ken Smith & Stingrays. Again, I would just consider a change in strings, technique, and a little bit of playing with EQ/Amp.

EDIT:

ahadl2500 said:
My point is there is no way I would take a Cirrus over the L2500 for the genres that the OP described.
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Sorry, but just to tack on, I might agree with you if the OP was a blank slate, didn't already own a bass, didn't already have a technique developed on a certain set of instrument specifications. But OP owns a bass, has a technique on that bass, and basses cost money. I might agree that an L2500 is preferable, but I don't think it is preferable enough to warrant buying one given what he already has.
 
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#23
Josh Prescott said:
TL;DR: Looking for recommendations of basses that have an active passive switch or individual EQ bands being able to switch active/passive. Would love to be able to get the P-Bass sound but still be able to use it for the active sounds so I don't have to be switching out basses constantly throughout a gig.

I am hoping to find a solid bass that I can use to get the sounds I haven't been able to with my current bass, particularly the passive sounds. I currently play a Peavey Cirrus from the original run in the early 2000s (5 String, neckthrough, 18V active). It plays great and it has served me well for everything I've needed it for until relatively recently. I'm now playing in a Funk/Soul band and would love to get the classic funk sound. I'd love to get a vintage P-Bass to accomplish this but would rather not drop $3k on a bass that won't be as well suited for modern rock sounds. I also require a 5 String at this point, so there really aren't any vintage P-Basses that would give me what I need. I am aware that the further removed from a P-Bass setup you get, the less it will sound like a P-Bass; I just want to be able to get a bit closer to it. My price range is up to $2,000 (USD).

Thanks in advance!
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With that budget, you could find a nice used P5 (or even better, a PJ5) and drop a Sadowsky or other preamp into it that has active/passive functionality. I love My PJ5's, especially with flats...
 
#24
I think we can agree to disagree. :)

CavilingCraig said:
Neither bass was a recording staple for older funk, but arguably the Cirrus has a precedent in Ken Smith & Stingrays. Again, I would just consider a change in strings, technique, and a little bit of playing with EQ/Amp.
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With that said I would not argue Stingray lineage in favor of the Cirrus. The Stingray is the direct predecessor in Leo Fender’s bass development that ended with G&L and the L2000.
 
#26
ahadl2500 said:
With that said I would not argue Stingray lineage in favor of the Cirrus. The Stingray is the direct predecessor in Leo Fender’s bass development that ended with G&L and the L2000.
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See, you got to judge by ears, and not by appearance (or manufacturer for that matter).

The L2500 with K-mod for the inner single coils and active w/ highs boosted approximates the Stingray. But the standard L2500 sound? Not anything like a Stingray. The Cirrus on the other hand? Pretty close cousins when you look at the EQ profile.
 
#27
CavilingCraig said:
Having owned and gigged an L2500 (Tribute; the electronics are the same) for more than two years, and now being a Peavey Cirrus player, I honestly would say just pan your pickup blend toward the neck. It has the significant points of the tonal profile of a P-bass. The rest is EQ'ing out highs (5k). The G&L is closer in vibe as far as appearance, but neither are actually P-basses. In a studio, if someone is a stickler for the P-bass sound, neither will fly. For a swiss army P-bass impersonation, both are fine. The difference between active & passive on the L2500 is decibel output, not tone. Which is all to say, active basses are fine for impersonating a P, it is more about technique and EQ. Not a knock on the G&L, but I don't think it is going to give you anything dramatically different from what you can already achieve with what you have. And, if you like how your Cirrus feels, the L2500 is 34' scale, closer string spacing, and potentially heavier.

The L2500 is an excellently made bass though. I'm seriously not knocking it, I just don't think it will give you what you want to hear.
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This is great advice.
 
#28
CavilingCraig said:
See, you got to judge by ears, and not by appearance (or manufacturer for that matter).

The L2500 with K-mod for the inner single coils and active w/ highs boosted approximates the Stingray. But the standard L2500 sound? Not anything like a Stingray. The Cirrus on the other hand? Pretty close cousins when you look at the EQ profile.
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I was using my ears for my arguement and also actual heritage. Again we agree to disagree and I am going to leave it at that rather than continuing to threadjack the OP. Sorry for the back and forth OP. I still say go try an L2500 before you decide. Based on your replies so far, I am far from alone in saying you should try one.
 
#30
LBS-bass said:
You should be able to find a used Fender Elite P in your price range, if that's the sound you're going for. I bought a used Elite Jazz and I'm quite happy with it.
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Second this. There’s a couple Elite Ps in the classifieds right now for some ridiculously good prices (one sunburst, one ocean turquoise, if I recall correctly). Don’t sleep on these, I did for too long. All the passive/active P you want with an added bonus!
 
#32
An Xotic XP-1T 5 has met my requirements for getting the P sound and having the option of active electronics with 5 strings. You can find a used one under $2k. It is push/pull for active/passive and has a 3 band EQ with selectors for mid and treble frequency. Even with all of the tonal options, I really like the passive sounds and can get great tones just by varying the tone control.
 
#34
Steve said:
I think you're probably looking for a good used Sadowsky metro PJ5. That will absolutely get your job done
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Yep. I have the NYC P/J 4 and it’s the best for this task. The metro will do just as well. In fact, I was just hired to play on a guy’s modern rock track and I used it. Don’t tell him that or the OP..lol.

The sound of “modern rock” is probably more about having some variant of a dark glass pedal in front of your amp anyway. A Pbass sounds so good with pedals.
 
#36
Another happy Sire P7 user here. While I don't think the P7 nails the classic P Bass sound unless you put on flats and maybe use a sponge, the versatility is pretty amazing. Plus it sounds great in passive mode. I think the P7 could be a great desert island bass.
 
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#38
Josh Prescott said:
TL;DR: Looking for recommendations of basses that have an active passive switch or individual EQ bands being able to switch active/passive. Would love to be able to get the P-Bass sound but still be able to use it for the active sounds so I don't have to be switching out basses constantly throughout a gig.

I am hoping to find a solid bass that I can use to get the sounds I haven't been able to with my current bass, particularly the passive sounds. I currently play a Peavey Cirrus from the original run in the early 2000s (5 String, neckthrough, 18V active). It plays great and it has served me well for everything I've needed it for until relatively recently. I'm now playing in a Funk/Soul band and would love to get the classic funk sound. I'd love to get a vintage P-Bass to accomplish this but would rather not drop $3k on a bass that won't be as well suited for modern rock sounds. I also require a 5 String at this point, so there really aren't any vintage P-Basses that would give me what I need. I am aware that the further removed from a P-Bass setup you get, the less it will sound like a P-Bass; I just want to be able to get a bit closer to it. My price range is up to $2,000 (USD).

Thanks in advance!
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I own a 2014 Fender American Deluxe Precision that meets that description. Last Deluxe’s prior to the Elite’s. Should be able to find a used one for a decent price.

[edit]
Oooos, missed the part about a 5 string. Sorry.
 
#40
Just FYI, for OP, I'm sitting in BB King's Blues Club in Memphis, TN. Band just went on break. They played a set of mostly old BB King dance hits and soul music, but with some James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and even Cecil Green mixed in. Bass player is playing a Sadowsky J5 with rounds. It sounds great and the audience is eating it up. He's playing over the neck pickup and muting a lot with the LH. No need for a passive P-bass here, even though some would consider that more 'authentic.'
 
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