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Needing Advice about upgrading my Bass or Amp.

#42
A new amp can go a long way my guy! I uparaded my first amp to a 75watt Rumble and it's been my go-to ever since. At the time I was playing a gear4music, and the new amp meant I was better able to fill out the sound, despite not having a good bass. AMP first, and I would highey recommend a fender rumble for a well priced value for money amp.
 
#43
Sorry but I need more information. Is this for playing in the basement with friends-- maybe an occasional outside party or more? Are you still learning?
Please help us out with more information.
As far as your bass goes, please consider keeping it. It's a nice little bass. When the time comes for a new bass, try to have an older one as a backup.
I don't know if you're wanting a gig ready combo or amp /speaker setup for a band or just home. But whatever money you were going to put into a bass put that towards the nicest amp you can get.

When you go shopping, go to the online stores that offer 30 days back no questions asked. I'm in Alaska and I've had Amazon ship me 50 pound speakers for free! So Amazon has almost everything you need.

Also, there may be a lot of Fender Rumble fans here but don't forget there are Peavey combos, Gallien Krueger, and especially the Ibanez Promethean, which is an OUTSTANDING choice, and Hartke. All these and the Fender are great amps for the money, especially when you're just beginning.

Take a look in the local pawn shop and see what they have. Wouldn't hurt. Do you have Craigslist? Check that too. If you get seriously looking at something, try to bring along a friend who knows a little more about amps than you. Or have your smartphone ready to google the amp.

Good luck and let us know what you decide! :thumbsup:
 
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#44
mike roman said:
Im a novice bass player of rock/blues/funk/slap.I currently play Peavey Milestone BXP 4 string Jazz Bass with a Peavey 158 Max 20 watt X 8 amp.I want to upgrade my bass or amp for better quality sound/punch/tone variety ect. but not sure what to buy and wanted opinion's on the best choice or if any of these choices would be a improvement at all. I only have a small pawn shop in town for limited equipment and Guitar Center is a 5 hour ride which is inconvenient.So im going to buy right off the internet more or less blindly with out hands on testing or hearing these products so as much feedback i can get about these products pros and cons would really help.My budget is about $150 for amp and maybe $300 for bass.
My 1st choice was buying a Fender Rumble 25 watt X 8 to go along with my Peavey Bass for around $100 its 5 watts more and i can save $200 if its a improvement from my Peavey Amp. As far as bass guitar i was thinking about a Yamaha TRBX204 Active Bass for about $279 brand new to couple with my current Peavey Amp or a Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass for around $300 new to play with my Peavey Amp.Thats my current choices and would appreciate advice. One more thing with the Yamaha Active bass.Do you get a little more punch or response from it with being active bass and are the necks slim jazz type i heard there a little beefy on the neck and i dont care for wide necks being a novice player.Thanks for taking time to read this and everyones advice.Below are Pictures of my current equipment and my buying choices.Thank You. View attachment 1155613 View attachment 1155617 View attachment 1155618 View attachment 1155619 View attachment 1155620
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Minimum for a bass amp is a 10" speaker and 50 watts ... if you are looking to upgrade don't go less than that.
 
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#48
Lots of good advice here. I agree with those who suggested putting all your money into a more powerful, gig-ready amp. Whatever you do, do NOT go from a 20-watt amp to a 25-watt amp and expect it to make an audible difference. I would recommend getting something with at least 100 watts.
 
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#50
ThrewSilver said:
I'm also firmly in the camp that believes that upgrading cab/amp (in that order) is always a better choice before upgrading instruments.
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As everyone else has stated, drastically improving your amp should be your priority. Not only will it give you adequate volume to effectively play with others. I believe that you will be shocked at how much better your bass will sound even at lower volumes, which will also greatly improve your playing and technique, and motivate you to play more.
 
#51
bass4more said:
I'm just here to say that this thread makes be realize how many missteps I would have avoided if the internet existed when I first picked up a bass guitar.
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I built a 67 Chevelle thru the interwebs, even the slowmo dial up days of the late 1990s ! Which I could not have done without experienced guidance. WORD!

Back on point for the OP:
100 W min,, pref 200 and 12" min. Two tens would be a dream with 200 W driving it though. one 12 gives you some depth in a small package. 4 10 gives more in a bigger package. NOTHING wrong with a single 15" , but it wont give "punch" as much as a 12 imho.

Budget says 12" min 150 w Min. While I now use a Mesa Scout with a 2X10 slave ( a old school jazz bass and tube head am I ) , look for used Peavey. Quite adequate and cheap Db, WAY better than Behringer and some of the other lower price point stuff. Way. A used BAM for $250-300 would be your ticket. Peavey used to be darn duable as well. I havent played them for over 25 yrs though. , except for my T40 bass :bassist:

Old , like I said........ good luck with the hunt!
 
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