Hi Chris86
Generally speaking an active set up will have a pre amp built into the guitar - this will boost the signal as well as being able to boost or cut frequencies, giving you a useful amount of control of the sound.
It could be argued that you could equally well use the controls on your amp or the PA to do this, but it is much more convenient to have the controls to hand.
Some of the more sophisticated systems use a mic inside the guitar as well as a pick up under the saddle - the active circuitry enables these to be blended with (usually) very good results.
A passive set up is basically just a pick up - you will need to rely on an external preamp to boost the signal. Any controls will work by simply cutting output, either tone or volume - similar to most electric guitars.
As to sound quality - play a few (plugged and unplugged) and let your ears decide! - You`re going to have to play the thing at the end of the day.
Will
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I am thinking of buying my 2nd acoustic guitar and I am thinking of buying an acoustic/electric that I can plug into an amp. But I often come across models that the salesman say would have an active or a passive pickup. Can somebody tell me the difference between the two? All I know is that an active one seems to use a battery whereas a passive one doesn't. Does a passive pickup also come with volume control like the active type? Is there any difference in sound quality?
