Passive vs Active SUB 5 Bass

[adoptedbassist]

I wanted to get some opinions on this topic. I just recieved my first Musicman bass. One of the many reasons I wanted it was the original 2 band active eq - I prefer active basses. To my surprise today as I was cleaning it up and trying to install a new battery - it has no battery! It was mistakenly advertise to having the original 2 band active eq. but is the passive version. I was fooled by the pics as it has 3 control knobs therefore must be volume, bass, treble - I did not know there was a passive version with the same configuration as I am use to passive basses only have a tone and volume control (and balance if 2 pickups) - again, my first Musicman bass. So, as I wait for a response from the seller what do you guys prefer active or passive? I have not played it much at all because the strings are in 'awefull' condition - I had started changing them so I really can't get an idea if the 'sound' in passive will work for me - I need a 'phat' sound for our music.
Anyhow, I prefer an active setup on bass.

 

[scotty89]

I just recently purchased an active SUB5 too.

Low and behold, the strings on mine were shockingly bad when I picked it up too. Get yourself a set of regular slinkies, they are wicked.

Other than that, I very much like the active one (I've never played the passive though). If I knew how to record direct into the computer, I would so that you could compare to your own bass - all my attempts at recording however have been unsuccessful. Sorry.

 

[adoptedbassist]

I did a setup on the SUB with a new set of EB Regular Slinky's as suggested. It took a while but I got the action pretty low with little neck relief. I played it a rehearsal today for the first time and it was a hit BUT I do not like the passive system. I like this MusicMan bass enough after today to start looking for an active StingRay or Sterling - possibly a Bongo. I have my SUB 5 up for sale now. It is in very nice condition.

 

[five7]

You will love an active MM. I couldn't go back to passive. Or any other breed of bass.