Official Luthiers Forum!

After playing for 8 years, i'm finally getting around to building a guitar.  In selecting pickups, I'm still not sure what the exact difference is between active and passive pickups, and how does on on-board pre-amp fit it as well?   -consider it is a bass guitar.  i mean, i know the active lets you eq better, but does passive really limit the frequency range??    

Passive systems essentially 'only' cut frequencies and can't add any.

Best thing to do: head out to a store, play several basses - some active, some passive - and figure out what it is you like.