Advice on an upgrade

[spego]

I have a Cort bass, Crate 220 watt combo and a BP80 processor. I obviously have a tight budget. So I was looking to upgrade a little at a time. I have been doing a lot of research and I see a few options. I wanted to throw out there the options I was thinking about and see what you guys think.

I play rock music in a cover band.....just looking to get a punchy rock and roll bass tone. The tone I have now isn't too bad (believe it or not the BP80 help a lot). So here goes...

- A USED 2x10" Cabinet (Combo only has 1 15" and can support another ext cab)
- New pickup (current ones are ok....but I have nothing to compair them to....thinking 1/4 lb duncans)
- Sansamp DI to shape the tone. (USED)

I am only looking to spend 150 or so as I get the money to play with....so it will limit the upgrades to 1 at a time. I am looking to hang onto the gear I have now for a long time. I like the way the guitar plays and the amp is ok.....but its loud enough so it will do.

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks a bunch!

 

[spego]

Anyone? What's your advice on getting a little more out of your live rig?

- cabinet
- pickups
- Sansamp DI

Thinking about buying one of these and leaning towards the pickups....but wanted some thoughts. Thanks guys.

 

[pendergasta]

If it were me, and I was happy with my tone, my amp was loud enough, and I liked the way my bass played, the sensible thing would be to do nothing and just save the money. That said, If it were me, I'd do the pickups. Those Quarter pounders are SWEET!!

 

[spego]

Thats cool....I think the sound is ok (not great). It works though. I was thinking the pickups would get a little more punch out of the guitar....the 10" speaker probably would have a similar effect. I was just wondering though what others thought too. Thanks for the advice pendergasta!

 

[jtc_hunter]

If anything, I would go for a good DI. The crowd is only going to hear you thru the PA anyway. Your amp is just a stage monitor for you to hear. MXR M-80 is a good one too, for less $.

 

[bassman1185]

I would second the DI.

Also, what kind of Cort bass are you using? A lot of their basses are VERY solid on their own, and don't need much for upgrades.

 

[spego]

I would second the DI.

Also, what kind of Cort bass are you using? A lot of their basses are VERY solid on their own, and don't need much for upgrades.

It's a Cort Action Bass. I know its pretty new (though it was used when I bought it). The pickups are original but do not know much about them.

Sounds like DI is a pretty good idea. Is the MXR equal sound quality as the Sansamp too?

Thanks again!

 

[bassman1185]

It's a different sound, but they both sound very good. The SansAmp BassDriver is designed to emulate a mic'd SVT rig, and has a lot of drive to it. The MXR is much, much cleaner on the clean channel, but it has a separate drive section. Most people aren't too big on the M-80's drive, though.

 

[spego]

hmm interesting. I will have to search around for some sound samples.

 

[bassninja7]

+1 to getting a sansamp

 

[spego]

I know a lot of people either love or hate them....but what about a BDI21 as a cheaper alternative?

 

[4bpauly]

i would go for the MXR, i have had both

the sansamp makes crappy gear sound "good" the MXR is more to get an alternate tone... (it also has a mid control...which the sansamp does not) and i think the drive is great.. people like the sansamp but it is too scooped for me... the MXR has a decent drive and a noise gate to keep things under control... it IS, however, less tubey sounding for sure.

but i would go for on of those for sure, since you are looking for an easy, relatively inexpensive fix... also, if you don't like your decision... sell it and try something else, much easier than buying/selling/installing pickups

 

[Qvist]

I know a lot of people either love or hate them....but what about a BDI21 as a cheaper alternative?

I did that! And as long as it works, I'm happy I saved like 170$! (It's only 30$). I suggest that you still run it through your amp though, the amp still can shape the tone a lot, and you might wanna boost your mids on the amp, since the bdi21 also lacks a mid-knob. Or just roll treble back and keep the bass knob flat

 

[spego]

I did that! And as long as it works, I'm happy I saved like 170$! (It's only 30$). I suggest that you still run it through your amp though, the amp still can shape the tone a lot, and you might wanna boost your mids on the amp, since the bdi21 also lacks a mid-knob. Or just roll treble back and keep the bass knob flat

The amp I have also has a XLR output with a volume control and a switch to send the output before or after the preamp section of the amp. So running just a stompbox to improve the tone is also an option. I may try the bdi21 after seeing some reviews and knowing I can run it to the board through the amp after the eq if need be (to increase the mids). Might just take some fiddling with. Hmm the gears are turning.

 

[spego]

I did buy the BDI21 and I am pretty happy with it so far. I think it did make a world of difference in the sound of the amp. The Digitech BP80 had some amp modeling sounds in it and did an ok job but with a side by side comparision the BDI21 blew it away. I did try the recommended settings in the manual and they didn't sound so hot....the SVT setting sounded real boomy and too much bottom end (cutting the mids). I ended up with the amp eq about flat.....lo mid and high mids about 1 o'clock position....and the high about 11:30. The BDI settings ended up with the drive up around 3 oclock (really like the drive up to a certain point then it goes to hell).....the presence around 1 or 2.....low and highs around 11.....level varies but right now about 11.....and the blend about 2. I tried to make a recording but the camera I use doesn't pick up the sound well enough. But anyway I think 30 bucks for this pedal was well worth it.