Enlighten me: Passive vs active pickup?

[MisterZeus]

I have a guitar (a couple actually) with Fishman Infinity Matrix pickups and sound hole controls mount in them. I just plug them into my little Roland amp when I want to really amplify my mistakes.

I have an incoming guitar that has a the k & k western mini passive system in it.

What (besides no controls on/in the guitar) is the difference in using that in my little Roland amp?

Active versus passive pickup and what does that mean?

Thanks

[terrapin]

Active=some form of boost to the pickups signal prior to leaving the guitar for the amp (ususlly a 9 volt battery). The soundhole controls on the Fishman's constitute an onboard preamp to boost and EQ the pickup. There is a 9-volt battery somewhere in the guitar, or possibly a AA in the endpin jack.

Passive=Very small non-boosted signal coming from the pickup to the amp. No onboard preamp or EQ controls and no batteries.

BTW..............Nice name!!! Are you really a Russell like me?

[MisterZeus]

Oh yes, been a Russell all my 56 years...

Thanks for the pick up info. Will I need something other than just my little 15 watt Roland amp the hear myself? Some sort of pre-amp or such?

Thanks again.

[terrapin]

Originally Posted by MisterZeus

Oh yes, been a Russell all my 56 years...

Thanks for the pick up info. Will I need something other than just my little 15 watt Roland amp the hear myself? Some sort of pre-amp or such?

Thanks again.

You can plug right into the Roland and will have plenty volume. But, if you invest in an outboard preamp/DI box you will get a cleaner perhaps nicer signal to the amp. K & K makes several and they are not that pricey.

I got 'ya beat, I have been a Russel for 59 years!!!

[MisterZeus]

Thanks.

But...what is it: Russel or Russell?

I am if the latter. :-)

[terrapin]

Originally Posted by MisterZeus

Thanks.

But...what is it: Russel or Russell?

I am if the latter. :-)

Two ll's.........................