Bass or Amp - Which is more important?

[dokazaado]

yeeeeep.

for my sound, if I had $1500-

I'd grab a Squier for $300, the V-4B someone is selling for $600, and a new Orange 115OBC for $600.

$1500 and you would sound KILLER.

YMMV, however.

 

[esoxhntr]

I say the bass - you have to play it. Spend as much as you can to get a bass you like to play with a tone you like to play with, and spend the rest on the best amp you can afford. Short term, an amp may seem to be the priority, but a quality instrument with good tuners and hardware that can be set to your specific action and preference will last you a very long time. IMO, of course.

 

[Catbuster]

IMO, buy a decent bass... Something on the order of a Squier CV, and then buy a good amp, something on the order of a GK MB210/212, unless you're just starting out, in which the Fender Rumble 75 is amazing for what it is.

 

[BulbousMoses]

yeeeeep.

for my sound, if I had $1500-

I'd grab a Squier for $300, the V-4B someone is selling for $600, and a new Orange 115OBC for $600.

$1500 and you would sound KILLER.

YMMV, however.

That's good advice but the amp would be WAY more than I need (I play with two acoustic guitars and occasionally a mandolin) so I don't need that level of volume.

 

[dokazaado]

it's only 100 watts. sounds nice at low volumes.

 

[dokazaado]

that said, if your heart is set on the Godin, I've heard good things about those GK MB212s. I just hate combo amps.

 

[BulbousMoses]

that said, if your heart is set on the Godin, I've heard good things about those GK MB212s. I just hate combo amps.

Only 100 watts...well that's fine then. I don't hate combos but I realize they have limitations

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Well, that's different.
Just about any decent 60-100 watt combo amp will get you through that kind of gig. If that's what you're doing, get the nice bass.

However, as soon as you try to go playing with electric guitars and drummers with sticks, you're gonna need to re-invest in a more substantial amp.

If you went with a NICE bass, good feeling but under $500, and a better amp you'd only be spending your money ONCE.

 

[BulbousMoses]

Well, that's different.
Just about any decent 60-100 watt combo amp will get you through that kind of gig. If that's what you're doing, get the nice bass.

However, as soon as you try to go playing with electric guitars and drummers with sticks, you're gonna need to re-invest in a more substantial amp.

If you went with a NICE bass, good feeling but under $500, and a better amp you'd only be spending your money ONCE.

But $650.00 will get me more than a 100 watt combo..especially if I go used, don't you think?

 

[dokazaado]

Only 100 watts...well that's fine then. I don't hate combos but I realize they have limitations

I just love the tone of tube amps, and I don't think there are any current production tube combos at present. I also enjoy my amps and cabs being modular.

more than anything else, though - good luck selling any new combo amp you buy now in 5 years. they're just a horrible value imo. what I suggested? I'm guessing in 5 years, you could get at least $1000 back for it all. on the Godin and a GK combo...uhhhhh...$600? maybe?

 

[modrodz]

wow...Mike thats easy just save up more money...lol naw, but for about 300, if you can find a use peavey t-max head and a 4ten peavey cab txf for about 300, a ibanez srx355 for about 500...you got some change left over...lol now its time to gig

 

[Tom Howland]

You need a good working bass.
A real 1962-P-bass would be great.
BuT you must have a real good amp, period.
If you giging out, the amp maybe slightly more important.

 

[Bassdirty]

A cheap amp will never sound great. A cheap bass can often sound great.

+1000


.

 

[dokazaado]

+1000


.

yep, just like when buying a drum set - you can get a cheap kit sounding good, but cheap cymbals - never.

 

[BassMorpheus]

Do we play bass guitar or bass amp?

My Vote: A Great Bass is always best!



PPJ

 

[BulbousMoses]

Do we play bass guitar or bass amp?

My Vote: A Great Bass is always best!



PPJ

Funny! To me, they both have to be there. I don't know anyone who uses a computer without a monitor/display. You need both, otherwise you're staring at a black monitor or listening to the fans in your computer and nothing more.

 

[dokazaado]

totally off-topic - Bulbous, what's the origin of your handle? reminds me of Captain Beefheart or something.

 

[brianrost]

When I had no dough, I thought the cheap stuff was OK so why bother paying more. Once I had some money and bought good gear the cheap stuff started sounding, well, cheap!

Instead of a cheap bass and great amp or voice versa, just budget 50-50. With $1500 if you buy used you can put together a totally smoking setup.

After playing many gigs (like festivals) where the bass amp was provided, I came to the conclusion that my bass matters more...a lot more...than my amp does. Sure, I have amps I prefer to use but I can make do with almost anything, I've even done 100% DI gigs when the promised bass amp wasn't there.

 

[BulbousMoses]

totally off-topic - Bulbous, what's the origin of your handle? reminds me of Captain Beefheart or something.

I was joking around with a buddy and said something about a group of old men with bulbous noses...he misheard me and thought I said "bulbous moses" and for some reason, this cracked us up even more...anyway..boring but that's how it went down..

 

[Korladis]

I've found that a bass that's just "decent" sounds good through a nice rig, while a great bass doesn't sound all that hot through a crappy little combo.