How Do I Know If My Pups Are Active/Passive?

[giorob815]

I understand the whole preamp thing, but what about the actual pick pick ups? I know one can can have passive/passive, passive/active, or active/active (pup/preamp), but in my 18 years of playing I've sadly never learned how to check what my pups were...

[tylerwylie]

Really you just have to know what's installed, if they're attached to a battery, etc.

[Stealth]

If your pickups have a direct connection to the battery, they're certainly active. If they were made by Seymour Duncan, EMG, Bartolini or MEC they might be active as those four are the most famous makers of active pickups.

[giorob815]

OK, thanks guys- appreciate it!