Active Bass Guitars

Active Bass Guitars For Sale on Reverb

Though bass guitars were initially introduced as electric instruments with passive pickups, active basses have gained a lot of popularity in the years since they were introduced. Here on Reverb, shop one of the largest selections of new, used, and vintage active bass guitars anywhere in the world.

More About Active Bass Guitars

Bass guitars with active electronics were first introduced by Alembic in the 1970s and have only grown more popular, becoming more and more sought-after for their tone-shaping ability.

An active bass guitar features a built-in preamp that's capable of boosting certain frequencies, while passive instruments can only cut frequencies. Active basses also allow players to get a hotter signal to their amplifier even while driving a longer cable run—especially if you're a bassist with an effects board.

If you're not sure whether an active or a pass bass is right for you, check out our video on active vs. passive basses and how to choose what's best for you and your playing.

Popular Active Bass Guitar Brands on Reverb

If you're wondering where to start in your search for a new, used, or vintage active bass guitar, it's never a bad idea to start your search by brand. Here on Reverb, sort through active bass selections from trusted brands like Ernie Ball Music Man, Fender, Schecter, and more.

Active Bass Guitars Near Me

To exclusively browse active bass guitars in your area, reference the list of top cities and countries available on Reverb to search within a desired location. You also can review shipping details within an item’s “Shop Policies” section.