Pickups or Amp?

[musicbikeman]

In your opinion, do the pickups make more of a difference or does the amp make more of a difference? I mean this in the most general sense. For instance, could you just change your pickups to get a different tone? What about volume? Could the pickups change the volume a ton? Just a pondering I thought to myself. Thanks!

[smithal3]

Pickups can change your sound and volume, but the amp can make similar changes and make them much bigger. Where some pickups may emphasize lows, you can turn up the lows on the EQ of your amp.

Amp definately makes more of a difference.... unless you plug in direct

[BigOldHarry]

olde wisdom:

A good bass through a bad amp will always sound bad
A Bad bass through a good amp will at least sound like a good amp.

So spend the $$ on the amp and worry about the bass later, provided the bass plays decently (nothing overcomes a bad playing instrument)

[kilum]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

olde wisdom:

A good bass through a bad amp will always sound bad
A Bad bass through a good amp will at least sound like a good amp.

So spend the $$ on the amp and worry about the bass later, provided the bass plays decently (nothing overcomes a bad playing instrument)

+1 on that.

See 1st what can a Good amp do, If you are satisfied, you are set, if not, try upgrading strings, pickups.

I say that because I own a Squier VM Jazz and An Ampeg BA115. It sounds good, but I still had a lack in growl and punch. So I decided to buy Dimarzio DP123 and DR MM Sig strings.
I didnt receive my pickups yet, but I did install the strings.
All I can say is, I got a incredile tone and love it. Im still not sure if I will or not install the pickups.