Dual MM setup - running passive?

My new bass project will have two MM pickups (I haven't decided on which ones yet). I'm trying not to spend insane amounts of money here, but I do like a little of that Stingray "zing".

I'm thinking about starting off cheap with a couple of GFS Alnico pickups with just a tone control and maybe upgrade with a Bartolini NTBT, or an MM preamp clone, if I need more tone shaping possibilities. Series/parallel/single switches will also be installed.

I know MMs are usually paired with onboard preamps, but how will they sound with a passive tone control?