Which is preferable and why?

[DLM]

First, my bass has Bartolini soapbars and 3-band EQ...

Question: For any given volume requirement, is it better to have the volume on the bass at maximum and decrease volume through the amp, or have the volume on the bass at less than max and increase the volume through the amp?

Does it make a difference tonally, electronically, etc.?

[Tyler Hole]

From what I've noticed, if you turn the volume down on the bass and increase on the amp, any tonal settings you had going on the bass decrease. If you have the amp decreased and the volume on the bass up all the way, the tonal settings on the amp aren't as noticeable, but it's not as drastic as on the bass.

[Figjam]

I usually keep the volume on the bass as high as possible without the amp peaking/distorting.

[superbassman2000]

same here...

[RicPlaya]

I try to save a little volume on my bass incase I need it but I play it about 80% up on the bridge pup and 10-20% on the neck pup.

[IvanMike]

it depends upon a lot of factors such as if your bass is active or passive. Having the volume lower on your bass will give you a less favorable signal to noise ratio, as will keeping the preamp volume on your amp low.

[Marley's Ghost]

I keep the vol on my bass on full, and use my Ernie Ball VP jr to adjust as needed.

[kaboom133]

On my passive basses, I like to keep the volume full on. I can't do that with the G&L though, even if i turn down the gain on my amp, it still clips if the G&L's volume is full. I keep it around 3/4.