More important - bass or amp?

[Killens84]

If you have PA support, where you're going direct to FOH, then your bass is more important, because the amp is taken out of the equation for your FOH sound (unless you're running post EQ from the head).
But the OP stated the scenario is no bass in the PA, so the audience is only getting the amp sound. In that case, I believe the amp is more important.

 

[JRA]

"....i played poorly last night on my really crappy instrument, but my new, great $2000 amp made me sound like a star!"
anyone with that experience? i'm sure some have had that experience... i'm just asking!

The question is where you draw the line on both scenarios.

and: the question presents a false dichotomy/dilemma as there are other factors which figure in = which are far more important than either of the choices, IMO.

but, in the spirit the poll: i voted 'bass' because that's what i do, with any amp, good or bad. if the amp works at all = i can sound good. if it's a 'great' amp = i can sound great, too!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I voted amp because I read the OP's opening sentence... NO BACKLINE or DI.

Heh. Yeah that was to avoid "I'll borrow an amp". Wanted to keep the comparison as even as possible.

 

[dgrizzly]

If there's no backline, then of course the amp is more important. You wanna be heard dontcha?

 

[phillybass101]

OP I agree with you 100% and I have proven this many times over. To those who would argue just let them argue. I know what's true for me. Better to invest in quality amplification and a decent bass over an expensive Axe and ordinary or cheap amplification (when there is no real backline or true FOH support). However as you move up in the world and there are provided backlines and a real FOH your amplifications becomes less important and the quality of your Axe becomes more important as it will be the only constant in your signal chain.

 

[HolmeBass]

I vote bass because I think basses have more inherent, particular tone. Amps, especially good ones, may have a bit of inherent voice, but in general are more flexible and less colored than basses.

But on the other hand I completely agree with the original post. There are many more inexpensive basses that will get the job done than there are inexpensive amps that will be ok. For a beginner looking to gig, I would suggest spending most of my budget on the amp and cabinet for sure.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

It's one of those questions that in theory or for argument sake is good (Argue? Here?) but real life is more situational. I started with a new Acoustic SS 100W amp and an Acoustic 215 cab and it was fine for a while. Eventually I hated the sound of my EB0 (Gibson, red with the devil horns) but I thought it looked cool. So I traded it in on one with 2 pickups but the neck dive became a real nuisance and I traded it in on the Fender J-Bass. Perfect. Then in a new band (trio) the bass amp couldn't keep up with the guitar, farting out, so I added another Acoustic 215 cabinet for more sound which still wasn't 'it' so I sold the head and I got an SVT. A J-bass and an SVT, what more do you need? I never played in a copy band, just originals.

So at one point the bass was unsatisfactory, at another the amp. I didn't suffer from GAS in those days so I was pretty much set. Great bass, great amp.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Yeah the scenerio described by OP basically never happens. In real life I started with a cheap-o bass (generic, $85) and a 30 watt practice amp. I bought a decent combo amp (ampeg b2 with a 15" speaker). Then i bought an EBMM Sterling. I eventually got another 210 cab. I played this setup for about 20 years. I always longed for an ampeg fridge/ svt setup. I eventually got that and started collecting basses.

 

[Rabidhamster]

Any old piece of crap sounds at least pretty good through my SVT Classic. Definitely not the case with the SWR...

 

[Nickweissmusic]

yes

Let's assume that you're in a gig where you need both a bass and an amp - no going direct or supplied backline. Which is more important? I say the amp, even though I've obsessed over basses for the longest time. I came to the realization that a $300 bass through a $2000 amp is going to sound better than a $2000 bass through a $300 amp. Now, in a perfect world where you can have the best of everything, a $2000 bass through a $2000 amp will sound the best. But when you're starting out, I think it's more important to put the money into the amp if you have a bass that isn't getting in the way of your playing. Maybe this is more of a acknowledgement that cheap basses are infinitely better than 20 years ago.

In your scenario, I agree. A good player can easily get through a gig on a $300 bass... interesting that that's the number you gave, since that's exactly what I bought my last bass for on that end, the players' technique does the vast majority of the "signal quality" work. I bought used, but even new, at that price point, you can get a bass with a straight neck and good enough pickups.

The amp/speaker quality will definitely make a big difference if you're trying to be heard loud and clear, especially if you're trying to carry the room. I LOVE the new Ampeg combos, but wouldn't want to use their $300 combo in a full loud band situation... although I have used their $500 combo with great results.

Overall, I agree with your assertion, and think spending toward a pro amp is a better direction to look first if you already have a comfortable instrument.

 

[zon6c-f]

A lot of great posts but hind sighg being 2020 , in 1972 I could have bought used Acoustic 361 when my Epi bass died however I bought my Rick 4001.

Sometimes I wish I had repaired the epi than playing my Rick through my Kustom. Kind of like running an exotic engine through a domestic body auto

 

[matty1039]

Basses are sexy but amps are practical.

It would be best to get a better amp right off the bat since you can take it out to jam with others or gig with it. If you keep playing you could get better basses (or mod a cheaper one) over time but you've still got a decent amp as the foundation.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Early on I had a Steinberger XM-2TT (with the TransTrem - it was the late 80's) and I played through a boom box's mic input. That was when I was in the Army and we just jammed in the breakroom bit still, I was dumb. Then my next dumb thing was buying a Crate 15" combo over an Ampeg half stack.

 

[Chicory Blue]

Bass won't get you far without an amp.
Amp won't get you far without a bass.

I think a good amp'll give you more to work with than a good bass, but the bass looks cooler and amps don't usually come in blue, so my hands are kinda tied here.

--^@

 

[Runlikegregg]

I feel the low end technology has gotten so good that neither needs to cost much to sound good.
In terms of buying - I would buy a nicer bass guitar.
but all things being the same, I think your logic is sound: you will notice the sound of a crappy amp more than the sound of a crappy guitar.

 

[Chasarms]

Assuming you are using the amp within its designed specifications, I would say the bass is more important. Often, people believe amps sound "crappy" because they are demanding more than the amp is capable of giving. IME, healthy SS amps with a quality input signal and minimal EQ tweaking sound far more the same than different. Of course, there are some FR variables and such, but not a whole lot that translates to live performance.

Cheap amps tend to have reduced features and limited functional EQ. So, if you need that to get your sound, you probably need a better amp. Personally, I am going to set the EQ completely flat and turn off very preset shape no matter the amp. So, I don't really care. I don't touch the EQ unless there is an obvious need due to the room. As others have mentioned, to me, a bass amp is just a glorified stage monitor. I'm not using it in any way to shape the tone.

That said, I make every effort to avoid using an amp these days.

 

[brianrost]

Unless you are totally broke you can get a really good used amp for under $500. No need to spend $2000, folks.

Also, no need to spend $2000 on a bass guitar, plenty of good ones for under $500 and great ones for about $1000.

 

[jwilson67]

The amp no contest. If you have a decent set of gig tools with you (as you should at all times) you can make a cheap bass sound OK to good. No amount of tools is going make a lousy amp sound good.

In a situation where you are running dry from the stage the amp is paramount in importance.

 

[basslifter]

Balance in all things....

 

[RickyWoo]

You can mod a cheap bass (easily) to sound fine. You can't mod an amp (easily) to sound fine. So, seeing as you'd have to mod a bass to make it sound fine, and you'd have to buy a decent amp so it sounds fine already, I'd say both are equally important.