uh... EMGs are *quite* active.
In fact, nearly all p'ups are passive - what you aren't liking is the carvin preamp (I agree, i think they sound dull). Can you not just lift your volume knob to bypass to passive (perhaps your bass doesn't have that option)... If you know what your doing, you can just rewire it to remove the preamp and have the p'ups go direct, but I suspect what you want is new p'ups.
my opinion: If you want a more vintage sound, get a set of Nordstrands. If you want something with a bit more zing, Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders would be my choice.
If you want to go hog wild (and why not - this isn't a vintage collectible bass) - have a tech install some nordstrand big singles. That'd sound *cool*, but would require routing for the old soapbar holes.
