Higher Priority: Bass or Amp ?

[MD]

Since you're mostly practicing and not seeing yourself playing gigs, save your $$$. When the time comes, you'll have a good amount saved and more choices in your new amp purchase.

[bill reed]

I think most people that start playing bass start by picking a good bass first and then a cheep amp and cab. then when they started to get a better player, then start to look at upgrading there amp and cab or getting a good combo.
I often pratice with just my line 6 podx3 and headphones. no amp as i don't want to upset my neighbours.

[brianerwin]

Originally Posted by bill reed

I think most people that start playing bass start by picking a good bass first and then a cheep amp and cab. then when they started to get a better player, then start to look at upgrading there amp and cab or getting a good combo.
I often pratice with just my line 6 podx3 and headphones. no amp as i don't want to upset my neighbours.

+1 on this.

I had my heart on my bass first and to be honest, the thought of having an amp set up never accured to me until
the salesman told me that I needed a "bass" amp.
Up to that point I thought I could use my daughter's guitar
amp (behringer GM108 15 Watts). He sold us this amp for her guitar and knew what we had at home.
He said my bass would blow the speaker in it.
What I have now is better than her guitar amp and good enough for home practice.
I too am thinking about the amp/head combos. Head seperate of course, for upgrading.

[Baird6869]

Crap bass + good amp = usable in a band situation
Crap amp + a super duper high end bass = unusable in a band situation

[mellowinman]

I play a Fender Jazz that is a Frankenfender/Squier mix, and with EMG Select pickups through a Fender Rumble 60 (that's only SIXTY WATTS!) amp. I do this in a gigging band, and our other bass player has two fifteens driven by a Hartke that is maybe 250 watts (?) or so.

I am the one who is complimented time and time again on my tone.

That's right, a simple little combo amp like the Rumble 60, (and they go a good bit higher,) is pretty affordable and lightweight, and will give you enough volume and tone to play with a live band.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/brows...ediaId=m712103

Something worth considering.

Don't take my word for it! Go try one, and go try some others! Trust your ears!

[gjbassist]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Crap bass + good amp = usable in a band situation
Crap amp + a super duper high end bass = unusable in a band situation

+1
The right rig can make even a cheapo bass sound good. However, a crappy amp will make an expensive bass sound bad!

[justinellison3]

Rig. You can make almost any bass sound good with the right rig but you can't always get that amazing tone with just your bass and an "okay" rig.

I have 2 MIM Fenders and I'm working on getting really good pedals and an amp. I have tone just as good as anybody's

[BawanaRik]

Most bassists would be better off changing their strings as opposed to changing their bass. If you like playing the bass a boutique bass is hardly required.

And even though Im selling off some boutiquey basses I have to admit that the quality on the lower and med range gear is incredible. I have a US Peavey Cirrus which came down the pike in the half a yard range and it plays like silk. I cleaned it up and put a set of RotoSounds on it and I'm home.

[wilfred]

Yea get a bass amp! thump thumpy thump!!!

[bootsox]

a good amp is more important than a good bass

[bootsox]

Originally Posted by mellowinman

I play a Fender Jazz that is a Frankenfender/Squier mix, and with EMG Select pickups through a Fender Rumble 60 (that's only SIXTY WATTS!) amp. I do this in a gigging band, and our other bass player has two fifteens driven by a Hartke that is maybe 250 watts (?) or so.

I am the one who is complimented time and time again on my tone.

That's right, a simple little combo amp like the Rumble 60, (and they go a good bit higher,) is pretty affordable and lightweight, and will give you enough volume and tone to play with a live band.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/brows...ediaId=m712103

Something worth considering.

Don't take my word for it! Go try one, and go try some others! Trust your ears!

to be fair, Hartke is garbage.

[two fingers]

Hey what's your budget? I live just south of you and my favorite hobby is tooling around the CL listings for all of eastern NC and VA. If you are willing to drive a little I can probably find you a deal.

[Shakin-Slim]

I really wouldn't worry about getting a fancy bass until you're playing enough to warrant it. Unless, of course, you're made of money and it really isn't an issue. Some of the greatest players are using relatively basic instruments. I'd go for the amp, like everyone else has suggested. That Kustom you listed seems nice and would be perfect as a first amp. Then you just gotta get gigging!

[Quackhead]

Good speakers are essential for good tone and they are the best use of any spare money you have. Upgrade your amp later.

[Quackhead]

Good point. I play a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz ( about $300 new when I bought it) through a Bergantino / Eden rig and it sounds really nice. I get compliments on my tone even from bassists.

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

Some of the greatest players are using relatively basic instruments. I'd go for the amp, like everyone else has suggested. That Kustom you listed seems nice and would be perfect as a first amp. Then you just gotta get gigging!

[KingNikko5]

I gotta say amp and cab would be my priority in your situation. Here's one thing I'm not sure has been mentioned, we are all bass players here and in general, everyone is always looking for a bass player.

We are definitely few and far between, and if you get a bass and you hook up with a couple people but won't be able to hang, you'll just find yourself back in your current predicament less the amount you spent on your bass. To me, at least getting to the point where you can readily jam and possibly gig would be a good idea.

Once you start playing with people, you will skill leap tremendously. There's so much more when you play with other musicians. I've not met one person who didn't get better playing with other people. By the time you get better and would have been jamming with friends or bands, your taste for basses, or even your next rig, may have changed. If that band doesn't work out, you will easily find another. Or better yet, they wil find you.

[sumgruuvz]

definitely an amp. what good is your $5000 bass do if no one can hear you? at least with a loud enough rig, you can be heard, people could care less what bass youre playing through. so be loud and voiceful in your playings. my $.02

[Shakin-Slim]

Originally Posted by sumgruuvz

people could care less what bass youre playing through.

Indeed. Boutique basses are only REALLY for the bassists enjoyment anyways. And band members who really pay attention to the sound, but most just wanna hear the right notes, the right rhythm etc.

[Solarmist]

That's a very nice bass with fantastic tone, but you'll never here it from the setup you've got. Check out the Carvin combo's ... you can get some pretty nice combo amp's fairly inexpensive.

Personally I would recommend a separate amp/cab system though.

[chadds]

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

Indeed. Boutique basses are only REALLY for the bassists enjoyment anyways. And band members who really pay attention to the sound, but most just wanna hear the right notes, the right rhythm etc.

Your second point about the right notes & right rhythm is how you got the gig. Might the ease of playing, the excellent intonation and stiffness contribute to your performance? Then, the quality of the bass is important, not it's snob appeal or #10 top or name or cost.