Pick ups or pre-amp

[JBass82]

Hi all. This thread is to get opinions on whether I should install a pre amp or get new pick ups for my bass. It's a Alvarez 5 string. Currently, I'm playing with a band that is becoming pretty serious and I'm needing and wanting to upgrade. I have the gear just not the bass. Because of money issues I'm thinking of getting a pre-amp first then the pickups.

Also, I would like to know if you can install passive pickups and have an active eq. From what I've researched it is possible, I just need reassurance. Looking to get Barto preamp w/ just bass/treble boost and blend and maybe Cmore Duncans or barto pick ups. EMG is not an option. Or should I just wait to get a G&L.

Thanks

[line6man]

If your pickups sound like crap, a preamp will not fix them.
A good preamp will have no effect on your pickup's tone.

90% of the time, preamps are used with passive pickups.

[darkstorm]

99 percent of active basses are passive pups with active eq preamp. So yes of course you can add a preamp to your passive pup bass. The best basses to add a preamp to are those that sound very very good passive. The preamp will affect the tone somewhat by leting the pups full voice thru. Typically this means little more top end and little more articulate low end. This as a result of switching the signal from High Z to Low Z.

If you like the sound of your bass, then go ahead and add preamp. If you dont like the sound of your bass then replace the pups first.

[JBass82]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going with the pups first.