I own several basses from various makers. I have also noticed the low output of the Smith basses. I have two. Nothing is wrong with them - that is how they are designed. I have noticed that when in the active mode - it only activates the Bass, Middle and Treble knobs. In the passive mode - only the volume and blend knobs work. I am not why this is - however - I suspect this helps in studio recording sessions - keeping the bass quite.
There is a solution - a very good one. Use a "Pickup booster". I have recently been using this - and what a huge difference. Amazingly so. I got the idea from the man - Melvin Lee Davis. Check it out.
I am using the Seymour Duncan Booster - but I would like to try the Xotic Booster in the below youtube demo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFem2...related&search=
Melvin Davis talks about Xotic Bass RC Booster
oh yea - the pickup booster works for all the basses - active or passive or piezo - simply put - a must have for each of your basses.
I am on the hunt for more of them - one in each gig bag!