Simple Math/Bang for the buck

[ThudThudThud]

This is going to seem awfully noob.....

I Haven't bought any gig gear for quite some time, and the stuff I have is getting a bit old/outdated and it wasn't much to start with.

So I've recently joined a band that plans on gigging. I've been playing my Warmoth Jazz (which I love), but the tone isn't quite there and I feel that a Precision would sort me out splendidly (you didn't really expect 'what's the best bass for metal?' did you?) for what we're doing - funky/grungy/rocky. The Jazz doesn't seem to hold things down the way I think a P would.

So I need a new/used head (I have a 4x10 @ 4 ohms cab that will work fine for a while), plus one or two Ps. Why two? Because I want a backup for gigging, plus I can tinker... Maybe put a set of flats on one of them.....maybe have one tuned to standard and the other with drop-D.... that sort of thing.
Plus I'm hesitant to take a nicer bass into some of the places I feel we'll be playing. It's an originals rock project, so I don't see us playing splendid places to start with.

I'll be in possession of about $1,000 soon-ish.
Thoughts: Get a nice used head from TB classifieds @ about 300-400w. I figure that the average is about a buck a watt (yes? no?).
Then get a couple of Precisions. I really like the Squier CV Ps. Two of them?
$300-ish x 2 = $600 plus $400 for a head?

Or used MIA P and a cheap amp head?
Or two SX P's and really nice amp?

Argh.

Bring your wisdom.

[James_E]

One cv p, and a really good head. Your jazz can be your spare for now.

[ulynch]

^^^ What he said. You can't beat the bang-for-buck of the Squier. IMO, the MIA Fender stuff is as overpriced and overrated as Harleys Davidsons

If you're looking to tinker, maybe try some hotter pickups on the jazz, and/or a series/parallel mod. That oughta thicken things up a bit.

A decent 410 should do ya pretty well for rehearsals and most gigs. Whatever head you get, my suggestion is to find something with a flexible set of outputs -- DI, pre-post switch, ground lift, etc. -- to support whatever odd live PA situations you might find. I find Carvin a darn good deal. Try a used BX500. There's one for ~$300 in the TB Classifieds.

Good luck, and have fun

[ThudThudThud]

Awesome replies. I knew I could count on TB!!! (Gush!)

Not sure about the Jazz as a back up. My band is an originals thing, so I know we're going to play seedy bars as a support act to begin with (we're a bunch of old guys doing what the kids do, but without the dreams and unwarranted thoughts of stardom and fame!). It's bit special to me, and I'd hate anything to happen to it. I wouldn't be so upset if anything happened and it was a $300 bass.

Wouldn't a $400 head (used) be decent enough? I see amazing steals in the classified section all the time.

It's nice to see I'm on the right track with the Squier CV Precision. I was blown away at how very well made it was. Played as well as any Fender I've ever tried [see above, I'm not a teenager!]. Lovely neck, and a good feel.

Anyway, this is the amp section....
Some slap (not a lot), lots of pick, some (Sabbath-like) finger-style. I'm thinking SWR, classic GK, or maybe even the Line 6 LD750/400 series or Hartke LH. I do play through a bunch of effects.
Can I get that sort of thing? I like clean, but with a little growl when I need it.

Saw a Peavey Mark VIII in a pawn shop, but wondering if it will be too one dimensional. I have a couple of Sansamp products (a 1st generation SABDDI and a Tri-AC), so I can get the tubey goodness(ish) if I need it.

CV P plus a VM/CV Jazz?

[Balog]

If you already have "a bunch of" effects, and at least one is a pre-amp capable of driving it I suggest a cheap PA amp.

[Calaverasgrande]

more importantly what do you have now that isnt cutting it and why?