Bass person or Amp person?

[Joe Nerve]

I've got a first goin on here. Ordered a Stingray, and a GK rig - both are due for delivery anytime between now and a month from now. I can't wait to get either, but realize my longing for the bass somewhat exceeds my excitement about the amp. I've always been like that too. Amps seem to me like socks and underwear, basses like toys. I'm stoked that I'm getting the best underwear that money can buy this time at least.

Anyhow... I just realized that I feel this way because I have a much more intimate relationship with my bass, than with my amp. The amp gets to strut it's stuff a couple of times a week, the bass gets played every day. The amp I set up once for the night, and it does it's job - the bass I touch, feel, and play with all night long.

Anyhow - just thought this might be something cool to kick around. Wonder what it says about us as people.

Are you an amp person or a bass person, and why?

[peterbright]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I've got a first goin on here. Ordered a Stingray, and a GK rig - both are due for delivery anytime between now and a month from now. I can't wait to get either, but realize my longing for the bass somewhat exceeds my excitement about the amp. I've always been like that too. Amps seem to me like socks and underwear, basses like toys. I'm stoked that I'm getting the best underwear that money can buy this time at least.

Anyhow... I just realized that I feel this way because I have a much more intimate relationship with my bass, than with my amp. The amp gets to strut it's stuff a couple of times a week, the bass gets played every day. The amp I set up once for the night, and it does it's job - the bass I touch, feel, and play with all night long.

Anyhow - just thought this might be something cool to kick around. Wonder what it says about us as people.

Are you an amp person or a bass person, and why?

I agree...a new amp is nice but a new bass is great!

[brothernewt]

I'm gonna go with "amp guy". I can't tell you why, but I get a lot more thrill out of a new amp, or hearing someone elses cool amp, than I do from a bass. Maybe it's 'cause I have a pretty plain tool-chest of basses to work with. Maybe I have plain basses 'cause I'm more excited by amps... hmmmmm?

[velvetkevorkian]

My amp is just something to make my bass louder.

[BuffaloMO]

I picked both, because one isn't much good without the other.

[TheApostlePaul]

My bass is beautiful. Amps, on the other hand, are a necessary evil.

[Alexander]

I have to admit I'm a bass guy - want to have just the right amp\cab setup, then spend my money on basses My amp to be as "low maintenance" as possible - lightweight, reliable, loud and sounds good flat. No effects, either. I can't say I've been able to find the right cab(s) just yet, but when I do I can't see myself buying anything new on that front for some time.

I spend a lot more time thinking about my basses, though and churn over everything from electronics to playability to look\feel to 4 vs 5 string to solidbody vs electric, etc. I then take longer generally to buy basses and will often look at many of the same style to get the "right one". Even when the nuances between 10 jazz basses is minimal (for example), I seem to know the right one for me (or if the right one exists in that group at all). I also have a hard time usually in selling my basses, though I've done that from time to time. I would also let someone play through my amp, but am VERY hesitant to let others play my basses.

I do think it is ironic, because I find that IME the choice of amp has the bigger effect on my overall tone than the bass itself...

[SteveC]

Definately bass. I can play through almost any amp or PA and sound like me if I have a decent bass.

[superbassman2000]

i feel that way more with rackmount effects--i have a bass that I am exceited about already, so i don't really get excited for others, and amps are cool, but i don't know a whole lot about amplifiers, so i don't really get too excited for them either...preamps might generate a little excitedment because i always hope that they sound good

[Liten]

Well.. Im not saying my Amp and Cabs don't turn me on when fired up.. But.. my fingers just can't stop touching the darn bass.. so I had to go with that!

[rekesbass]

I am,without a doubt,a bass guy. Thats not to say the amp is'nt important to me(we need them)but, I really like the differences of my basses (feel,tone ect.)which is why I have a small but varied collection of basses and only one amp..I would actually like an amp with only a volume controll(big power,no tone or e.q. controll),kinda like a power amp that could use an instrument level signal and change tones with the tone controlls on the instrument and hand position(which is what I do anyway)..It seems that no matter what amp I plug into,the character of the bass comes through,for example,if I plug my Ric into a tube amp or a solid state amp it still sounds like a Ric..I know there are certain characteristics of different amps(and cabs) and each one colors the sound to some degree,but the core sound is all instrument...Besides,basses are way more fun to fondle and look at,so I am a BASS guy..sorry about the long winded post...

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I'm a bass guy.

There really is a pronounced difference between the two- the Basses and Amps forums are the two most populated forums on the board, and they're home base to different people. Some members like KJung go in-between them pretty evenly, but for the most part guys either hang out in the Amps forum or the Basses forum.

[tplyons]

I can tweak a bass all I want without a problem. My amp might try to kill me if I try to tweak it.

[McHack]

I'm not completely satisfied with either, so... for now... I'm both.

But, the bottom line is, its all about the instrument.

[jasonbraatz]

I'll put it this way: I'd much rather put $200 worth of bass through $5000 worth of amp than the other way around.

[Trevorus]

Originally Posted by jasonbraatz

I'll put it this way: I'd much rather put $200 worth of bass through $5000 worth of amp than the other way around.

VERY good point!

I'm mostly a bass guy, but I do enjoy my amps. It's just that most of them are so HEAVY!

[SnoMan]

I'm defiantely an amp guy. It's rare for me to venture into the Basses section here.

Why? I think it's because reading about amps has more meaning to me. I can read about an amp and get an idea of how it would be for me and my uses.

When it comes to basses, they're about feel for me. I read enough about basses to know what I want to try. There are so many variables when talking about a bass' tone: Technique, strings, pickups, electronics, amp, effects, etc.

Amps are pretty much the end of the line or close to it. Try one out with a few different basses and you have a good idea of the tonal nature of the rig. I don't recall ever reading about anyone trying out a bass with several amps.

[Psychicpet]

can't keep my hands off either of them!!

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by Trevorus

VERY good point!

I'm mostly a bass guy, but I do enjoy my amps. It's just that most of them are so HEAVY!

That's the thing- I read all these guys talking about their tube heads or their Bergantino NV610s and I just cringe at the thought of the weight. I'll have as many electronics options on a bass as I can get, but I'll desparately try to keep the amps as small and lightweight as humanly possible.

[smperry]

Originally Posted by SnoMan

I'm defiantely an amp guy. It's rare for me to venture into the Basses section here.
[...]
don't recall ever reading about anyone trying out a bass with several amps.

That's because you rarely venture into Basses.

I'm both...I obsess over everything!

Marshall