Cheap bass Good amp vs Good bass Cheap amp

professor · #1 07-28-2009, 08:30 PM

If you have a cheap bass and a small combo amp which do you think would be best to replace first. I can have 1 or the other soon but would have to wait till next year to get to other. I just practice an hour or 2 a day just for fun but have no illusions of ever playing in a band setting. I just do it for fun. I own my own home and could crank it up if i did not sound like crap

I think playing a good bass with no talent will sound like crap but with a good amp at least I could have good tone...

KPAX · #2 07-28-2009, 08:31 PM

Good bass first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by professor

If you have a cheap bass and a small combo amp which do you think would best to replace first. I can have 1 or the other soon but would have to wait till next year to get to other. I just practice an hour or 2 a day just for fun but have no illusions of ever playing in a band setting. I just do it for fun. I own my own home and could crank it up if i did not sound like crap

I think playing a good bass with no talent will sound like crap but with a good amp at least I good have good tone...

geeza · #3 07-29-2009, 05:33 AM

^ what he said. A good bass will allow your playing to progress further, quicker. A good amp will just let you be louder. Tone comes from your hands.

David1234 · #4 07-29-2009, 05:36 AM

Good bass first. Then good amp. Then food.

Jim Nazium · #5 07-29-2009, 05:41 AM

One more vote for a good instrument first.

jojobean39 · #6 07-29-2009, 06:10 AM

Bass.

Phalex · #7 07-29-2009, 06:35 AM

I have to be the lone dissenter. Basses come and go, but a good quality amp will last you darn near forever.

I'd buy the best amp you can afford now and begin the endless trading up process with your bass as soon as you feel you can.

stylonpilson · #8 07-29-2009, 06:38 AM

If you only ever play at home, then upgrade the bass first. If you're ever going to be playing with a band, or doing gigs, then upgrade the amp first.

S.P.

megadan · #9 07-29-2009, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylonpilson

If you only ever play at home, then upgrade the bass first. If you're ever going to be playing with a band, or doing gigs, then upgrade the amp first.

S.P.

+1

stflbn · #10 07-29-2009, 07:19 AM

A good amp will make a cheaper bass sound decent.

A cheap amp will make a good bass sound like complete crap.

Make your own decision from there.

.

thejrace · #11 07-29-2009, 07:21 AM

I gotta go with good amp. I did the good bass route and you know what, it sounded pretty bad bc of the amp.

SnoMan · #12 07-29-2009, 07:22 AM

Go with whichever is more interesting to you. You can work to upgrade the other next.

How much of an upgrade are you looking at also? Are you moving to gear that you can try-out before hand, gear you have read good things about or custom shop gear?

On a personal side note, I'm very wary of buying basses I can't play first. I got lucky on my last purchase and I think now I know at least three brands that I would feel confident buying without playing first. This may be something you'll want to keep in mind.

I think you can find some strong basses around $500 and less used. This helps a lot because you won't freak out if you put any scratches on it. Depending on how you are with your gear, that may not even be a factor, though. I gig 6-10 times a month, so I expect plenty of wear. This is why my main rig cost about 7x what my main bass cost.

Pilgrim · #13 07-29-2009, 09:29 AM

Good amp. Even cheap ($200) basses today can easily be made playable and will crank out good sound.

You can get FAR with an inexpensive bass like an SX or Rogue, but it's just like buying a stereo:

A $10,000 stereo played through $50 speakers sounds like a $50 stereo.

A $200 stereo played through $2000 speakers sounds like a $2000 stereo.

varunkapahi · #14 07-29-2009, 10:09 AM

SX basses are pretty good even for some of the very experienced bassists here. but you need a good amp to be heard well

no1likesme · #15 07-29-2009, 11:18 AM

AMP, A great bass will never sound good on a bad amp.

professor · #16 07-29-2009, 04:28 PM

Seems fairly evenly spilt. I guess I am kind of leaning towards
an amp... thanks for all of the replys.

rob2966 · #17 07-29-2009, 04:38 PM

I would also say amp for the reasons above and...

Once you are more confident in your abilities, you will likely want to play with a band (even if it is just for your own entertainment). Once you add a drum kit, you will NEED the good amp.

Later
Rob

Lady Kayri · #18 07-29-2009, 07:21 PM

Agree with the amp first. I've got some mid-level basses (MIM Fenders, Ibby SR400) that sound pretty good; I'm still GASing for a Dingwall but decided to spend the money on a decent head and cab before the Dingwall. I'm hoping to start playing out by the fall (either with the group I'm practicing with or another) and will need the amp and cab to be heard in a situation where there'll be a guitar and drums...the MIM Fenders (P and J) and the Ibby sound good enough, certainly for the situations I may be playing in...

**jmattbassplaya** · #19 07-29-2009, 08:47 PM

Amp first.

xgator4u · #20 07-29-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1likesme

AMP, A great bass will never sound good on a bad amp.

^ this, if you were to upgrade the bass first, you run the risk of being discouraged, because you just spent all of that money, and you still sound like crap. IMO of course.