instrument or amp?

I voted bass.
You might be in a situation where you don't need an amp.
(Backline is furnished----Studio work with a DI---etc.)

 

A balanced combination of both.

 

Only a omnipotent being can answer that question.

 

Fingers

 

I want to change to "carrots!"

 

Ears, feel and groove.

 

I second the "fingers" approach.

 

or the mysteriously reincarnated James Jamerson...

 

I thought about it, was about to put bass, but I feel that in a situation, Id rather have a crappy bass (no cheaper than $200 new... come on now...) and a rackmounted setup with 500 watts and equalizers and compressers yada yada. My warwick FNA sounds bearable at best through my 10 watt crate combo, but a Ibanez GIO through my 1100 watt hartke half stack with filled 6 space rack?? much better

 

GEE how many times do I have to type this in 24 hours?

BASS and CABS, BASS AND CABS, BASS AND CABS.

BOB and XXXX

 

+1

A good amp (to your ears).

 

Another vote for Carrots

 

Hmmm...without an instrument, the amp's useless, and without an amp, the instrument can't be heard. So I think the most important thing is the player.

 

touch and strings...

second is bass..

(assuming you're playing live - you'd be DI for any realistic size venue).

 

In terms of money spent with tone being the goal; I spend more on a cabs and amps and less on basses.

 

Strings

 

Bassist -> Fingers -> Bass -> Strings -> Pickups -> Cabinet -> Amplifier

 

+1 on amp, I'd play pretty much any bass as long as I had a nice versatile amp, that and a great cab.

 

you can always use a direct box and monitors , almost a no brainer it's the bass fo sho ,