O My, The Birds Eye - Did You Know They Made an Active/Passive Classic 5?

[CoffeeLove]

Just traded my beautiful white SR5 for this Classic 5 with active/passive/tone push/pull knob. Really like the 2 band EQ, a little less baked-in midrange and more round/punchy, atleast compared to the last 2 SR5's I had.

Just love the Birdseye on this thing. MM stopped making the Classic 5 for now, or I would have purchased a new one, but sort of glad because this trade saved me a ton of cash.

Anyway, just sharing my excitement. I live 20 minutes from the SLO manufacturing shop, and these guys have always treated me well, so glad to have another one of their great instruments.

If you know what year these were made, that would great. Very curious, there is no serial # visible from the exterior. I sent a message to EB as well, and they should have the answer. I don't think these were even advertised, but possibly a very limited-time run offered through Guitar Center (maybe).

Be well everyone

 

[tbonesullivan]

So it's got a separate passive tone knob? Interesting. Is that still in the circuit when it's active?

 

[CoffeeLove]

Hi. It is not in the circuit when active, it is a dead knob until pulled, and then it is the only knob that controls tone. A true active/passive bypass from what I can tell. I found the SN, and it comes up in the MM database as "Classic Stingray 5 Active/Passive" and built February of 2012 (see pic). I just sent an email to my contact at EB to get more info, but from a couple other threads I read it might have been a limited run made for Guitar Center (maybe). A bummer though, that active/passive switch is great, and the active tone is identical to all other Classics I have played. That is, less baked-in mids than my current Stingray 5H (and previous one's), as well as a more punchy/round presence.

 

[CoffeeLove]

For anybody that comes across this thread, I did receive confirmation from my contact at EB today. There was a very short run of these made for Guitar Center, and it is the 2 band preamp with the 4th knob being a preamp bypass into passive mode. The treble and bass knobs only work in active mode, thus non-op in passive mode, so only the 4th knob controls tone when pulled to passive. Very cool. Be well

 

[danny-79]

Congratulations on your NBD. very nice looking bass. Never seen one with the active/passive. I’ve known of their existence but they are pretty rare so nice one.

You won’t have a problem moving this on if for some strange unthinkable reason you don’t get on with it
Enjoy!

 

[CoffeeLove]

Thanks Danny-79. Yeah, it is a beauty. I think this one is a keeper, but have said that before, haha.