[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1483288551' post='3205945']
Is this active?
IMO flats are good on passive basses but waste the range and breadth of tones you can get out of a pre amp.
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[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1483349913' post='3206326']
This.
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I guess if you don't really don't like flats generally, or don't like a particular set of flats, then an active or passive bass can make little or no improvement.
However, I can't see that whether the pre-amp is in the bass (or in a floor box, or in a rack, or merely in the amplifier) can make any significant difference.