Which is more important - your bass or your amp?

[pklima]

Which is more important in the area that counts most - your image? On the one hand, the bass is closer to you so people are more likely to be looking at it than at your amp; on the other hand, the visual difference between a cheap combo and an 8x10 with a tube head is much bigger than the visual difference between a $150 bass and a $3000 one.

Pick one.

[crobasster]

With a good bass,you have it all.

[Mojo-Man]

They are both important.

If you are playing out, giging, you need a good bass and amp.

If you just play at home. you can get away with a lesser amp.

[groooooove]

if i could only afford one or the other to be "nice" itd be my bass, because going direct can give you bang for the buck.

but in reality they're pretty equal.

[Yerf Dog]

It's easier for me to replace an amp than a bass.

[calebbarton]

You can play a crappy bass through a nice amp and it will sound good. Play an awesome bass through a 5 watt johnson and well........

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by pklima

Which is more important in the area that counts most - your image? On the one hand, the bass is closer to you so people are more likely to be looking at it than at your amp; on the other hand, the visual difference between a cheap combo and an 8x10 with a tube head is much bigger than the visual difference between a $150 bass and a $3000 one.

Pick one.

"Image"? Meh.

I vote:
Carrots.

[KNURRR]

talking of image... as a bassist you are lucky if 25% of the crowd is even recognizing you at all

...but sure, it depends.

[The Mouse]

I'd say get a good bass first. For example, if you have a badly setup bass with high action, uncomfortable strap, wrong gauge strings, bad intonation etc it will affect your attitude towards playing your instrument in general. If your bass is of good condition and well set up, it's easier to express yourself on it. Of course a good amp can make a huge difference but for me a well setup bass is the way to go..

[Righteous Thunderer]

Well, a lot of people don't appear to have read the OP :P

As for image, I'd have to say that they're equally important. I actually sat and thought about this for a few minutes and in reality, I've always (even before playing music on my own) noticed both.

[MatticusMania]

You don't even need an amp! I got rid of mine about a year ago, got tired of hauling a 410 to every gig along with my PA. I just go from my pedalboard straight to a PA channel these days.

[StuartV]

Image to who? To yourself? Random people in the crowd? Other musicians (esp. other bass players)?

Image to the crowd is going to be the bass. And they're going to think a lot more of any Fender than if you're playing something that says Sadowsky or SX (looks the same to the crowd) on it.

Image to other bass players? I'm thinking amp. I know I would think more of somebody playing an SX through, say, an Aguilar amp and stack, than somebody playing a Sadowsky through a Fender Rumble 25. Until I hear them play, of course, then all that matters is what it sounds like.

[Floyd Eye]

I don't have any crappy basses, but I think a Squier P, in the right hands, run through and SVT rig will sound way better than a Pedulla running through a crappy bass amp. So I vote for amp.

[yeggi]

deffinately the amp dude, me and all my buddies (3 different bands ) play rondomusic.com instruments and they do just as great. the best example is myspace.com/altwmusic , rondo instruments at thier best!!!!

[yeggi]

Originally Posted by KNURRR

talking of image... as a bassist you are lucky if 25% of the crowd is even recognizing you at all

...but sure, it depends.

thats only because you stand in the same spot the entire time trying running around and 2 stepping!

[Drop-the-One]

I picked bass..
.. I was thinking more of which one of the two do I choose

[DiabolicLow B]

The bass is much more important , most people in the audience will not notice your amp unless they are a musician and with a good D.I you don't even need the amp anyway.

[Tampabass]

for image, however that's determined? the bass

for sound? As several have said, you can play a great bass through a crappy amp and it'll sound crappy. But play a cheap bass through a good amp and, in the right hands, it'll sound good. So I vote: amp.

Don't forget that the amp/cab is the last link in the chain between your fingers and your listeners' ears.

[Arrachion]

I assumed "Carrots" = The music. So I voted carrots.

“One of the troubles about vanity is that it grows with what it feeds on. The more you are talked about, the more you will wish to be talked about”

[DBTOYS]

Good Bass + Good Amp=Tone!