Mikio. Feb 21, 2009. Santiago de Chile. It is true, to many they sound better just cause they are louder to many, but this is not always true as has been stated, I have a sub-standard input active bass that sounds really weak without boosting settings, ironically, my Fender P is way too loud for a passive bass! lol. A Fender P or J-bass are great sounding passive basses. (assuming the classic version of each) stupidfatnugly: Yes, if it has a battery, it's active. The main difference between the active and passive inputs on your amp is gain. Passive pickups are quieter, so they need more gain to get the volume up. A short simple answer: Passive bass is plug & play, it requires no batteries or external power source. Active basses mean usually they have a preamp on board that requires power, usually from a 9 volt battery. Occasionally it can be active pickups which require the power, but usually it’s the preamp. Where as a passive bass only allows you to Put simply, passive basses have no onboard preamp and so their output is generated 100 percent by their bass pickups – think about a vintage-style Fender P-Bass/ Jazz Bass. The active bass has an onboard preamp, typically powered by a 9V or 18V battery. This preamp boosts the pickup’s signal and the bass’s EQ can be used to cut or boost Nothing against passive basses, tho I would really miss a blend on a twin pickup passive bass. Two volumes really does not do it for me. I do like the versatility that active tone brings to a bass. My first bass, an Aria SB700 was a one pickup passive bass and I loved it. I started on a P bass. Then I went for years playing active basses (several Carvin basses, an Ibanez BTB or two, a Warwick, etc.). On a whim a bought a Roscoe Beck Signature Fender 5 string some years back. Loved the passive tone and the Swiss Army Knife aspects to that bass. Got used to how it felt so I wanted a backup that looked and felt The volume knob can be pulled and the bass is passive. The 3 band EQ and the two pickups give it a lot of sound variation. Active / passive is not a big change as far as i can tell, but i love to have the option to go passive if the battery runs out. Unless you've got a SUPER high end preamp, I'm not usually a fan. The 18v PRS/Grainger active electronics give you additional punch, headroom and access to more modern sounds but switching the pickups to passive mode delivers some wonderfully vintage tones that quickly become addictive. The Grainger 5-String Bass is available in a variety of gorgeous finishes, including a selection with PRS' best quality 10-tops. I don't know why you'd really want a passive bass. Essentially it's just an active bass with 1/2 of the treble band, and a master volume control. Passive to Active isn't really much of a difference as far as any "loss" would be. It's subjective, but I'd prefer an active bass any day of the week. I find that my pedal choice is much different for my active basses vs. passive basses. If you have an active bass then I highly recommend a Darkglass B3K. Passive, I am still searching but # 1 so far is a CAL Grizzly. Now you will get 100 more recommendations from other people. Good luck. AVjj.