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Which would you upgrade first? An amp or a bass?
- Thread starter StrudelBass
- Start date
I voted for carrots because they are delicious, and good for you.
But, seriously. I've been going through the same dilemma in my head recently. I'm currently working with a Yamaha RBX170 bass (A very inexpensive bass) and a small no-name combo amp.
I'm buying both the Fender Geddy Lee jazz bass, and an Aguilar Tonehammer soon. However, money's tight and I'll only be able to afford one right now. Then I'd have to save up for a couple of months for the other one.
So I'd say, the amp would be a better choice. It's been said repeatedly, but a good amp will make an OK bass sound good. I tried my bass on a friend's Aguilar and could not believe the difference. (Obviously I'm not gonna get High-end Bass power from my Yamaha, but it's considerably better-sounding than on my small amp)
But, seriously. I've been going through the same dilemma in my head recently. I'm currently working with a Yamaha RBX170 bass (A very inexpensive bass) and a small no-name combo amp.
I'm buying both the Fender Geddy Lee jazz bass, and an Aguilar Tonehammer soon. However, money's tight and I'll only be able to afford one right now. Then I'd have to save up for a couple of months for the other one.
So I'd say, the amp would be a better choice. It's been said repeatedly, but a good amp will make an OK bass sound good. I tried my bass on a friend's Aguilar and could not believe the difference. (Obviously I'm not gonna get High-end Bass power from my Yamaha, but it's considerably better-sounding than on my small amp)
When I started playing bass a couple of years ago, I bought a SWR LA-12 combo. Its a great practice amp and I could use it for a gig where's there's a good PA, but its totally worthless for anything outside of a quiet jazz gig.
My first bass was a fretless Squier version of the Fender Jaco bass. It was OK, but I've upgraded to a couple of Jazz Basses since, including a Geddy. I quickly figured out I need a bass rig that would BOOM... and got very lucky picking up a GB Streamliner 600 with a Focus 112T cab - I've added another Focus 112T since. Its a GREAT rig. I think it would handle just about anything except a really loud metal band - in that case, I might just pick up a Fender Rumble 350 - its not that subtle of an amp but its got power to spare... OTOH, the GB is nice and light.
My first bass was a fretless Squier version of the Fender Jaco bass. It was OK, but I've upgraded to a couple of Jazz Basses since, including a Geddy. I quickly figured out I need a bass rig that would BOOM... and got very lucky picking up a GB Streamliner 600 with a Focus 112T cab - I've added another Focus 112T since. Its a GREAT rig. I think it would handle just about anything except a really loud metal band - in that case, I might just pick up a Fender Rumble 350 - its not that subtle of an amp but its got power to spare... OTOH, the GB is nice and light.
Another vote going to amps. Unless you're going direct into a system and you're not using an amp at all...
I've been playing an 80's MIJ P Bass Lyte for a number of years now. Thing plays beautifully, but the sound definitely leaves more to be desired at times. I upgraded the electronics with some Bartolini gear soon after I got it but that's pretty much it. Over the course of the past 4-5 years I've played it through a Blackface Bassman - matching 212 cab, a Silverface Bassman - newer 115 'Bassman' cab, a couple different Ampegs - various cabs I can't recall, and now I'm playing out of a Marshall 3560 Silver Jubilee. The amp swaps have been mainly to fit whatever sound I needed to fit into during any given time. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes.
Which brings me to another point. As a lot of guys have said on this thread, don't cheap out if you can help it. I played my Marshall out of a crappy Acoustic cab I found for 50 bucks. Not to say that Acoustic makes horrible gear, it's just that this cab in particular is pretty nasty stuff. Looking for a decent cab now, I've been eyeing the DB210 from Aguilar. Either way I'm probably going to think this next purchase over pretty carefully as I intend to keep it for a while.
Cheers to the empty pockets and loud noises
I've been playing an 80's MIJ P Bass Lyte for a number of years now. Thing plays beautifully, but the sound definitely leaves more to be desired at times. I upgraded the electronics with some Bartolini gear soon after I got it but that's pretty much it. Over the course of the past 4-5 years I've played it through a Blackface Bassman - matching 212 cab, a Silverface Bassman - newer 115 'Bassman' cab, a couple different Ampegs - various cabs I can't recall, and now I'm playing out of a Marshall 3560 Silver Jubilee. The amp swaps have been mainly to fit whatever sound I needed to fit into during any given time. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes.
Which brings me to another point. As a lot of guys have said on this thread, don't cheap out if you can help it. I played my Marshall out of a crappy Acoustic cab I found for 50 bucks. Not to say that Acoustic makes horrible gear, it's just that this cab in particular is pretty nasty stuff. Looking for a decent cab now, I've been eyeing the DB210 from Aguilar. Either way I'm probably going to think this next purchase over pretty carefully as I intend to keep it for a while.
Cheers to the empty pockets and loud noises
If you have a crappy bass you're gonna sound like crap. If you run your crappy bass through a great amp, you still sound like crap, only louder. If you have a great bass, you tend to play better than you would on an inferior instrument, regardless of what kind of amp you use. Remember, you can always rent an amp from a music store for a loud gig. Get used to your bass first.
Disagree. No matter how nice your bass, playing through a garbage amp will sound like garbage. A crappy bass isn't necessarily going to sound like crap through a great amp. And in the end will always sound better than a great bass running through a Crate bx15. Secondly, basses don't have a venue ceiling. No one ever says "this bass is great for small gigs, but lacks the power for an arena." Thirdly, players tend to have multiple instruments but fewer amps. When they need to unload something to buy something else, what do they do? They sell a bass. My point on this one is that it is often easier to find a high quality instrument on the cheap, whereas an amp, it's harder to find a deal.
Defenetly amp, i mean ofcourse a p.o.s bass will hold you back, but lets face the facts. "cheap crap" today is actually pretty good for what your paying, id say as soon as you get past the initial starter pack stuff you´d be fine, if i had something like a squier affinity bass when i started out id be damn happy. The other day i picked up and tried out a squier bullet strat, wich is dirt cheap and i was blown away of how well it played and sounded FOR THE MONEY, i think getting a rig that can do loud practices and small gigs have never been so cheap and easy.
So once again with the descent quality of the cheap stuff id say AMP.
So once again with the descent quality of the cheap stuff id say AMP.
Seeing that if the sound tech where I normally play had his choice there would be no amp at all the choice would be the bass.
If I saw the need for more amp because some other gig came up then the choice would be an amp. But at the moment my wish list is first to upgrade my first bass, second to supplement it with a different kind of bass and third to move up in amp class.
Depends....
I voted "Bass"
Having done a bazzilion sessions and shows where the Amp wasn't used to record or go to the PA, I generally stand by my vote.
HOWEVER...I've also gotten sounds that I love out of weird crappy Basses.
Of course I also have a fondness for weird crappy amps
I voted "Bass"
Having done a bazzilion sessions and shows where the Amp wasn't used to record or go to the PA, I generally stand by my vote.
HOWEVER...I've also gotten sounds that I love out of weird crappy Basses.
Of course I also have a fondness for weird crappy amps
The bass is what you play on. Your playing is what people hear whilst an amps tone gets messed with anyways... unless you are in the studio( where it often gets messed with as well)
I voted bass. Only to be honest, because that's been my priority. You never know what's going to happen at a gig. I was at one the other day and my amp head did not like the house power supply and went into "Protect" mode and started making a weird rhythmic beating sound. Rather than risk my head, I sighed and played through the house amp instead (and I brought my cab for no reason).
There was a band touring with the Winery Dogs called Sixxus; I was talking to their bassist who is very good and he said that he was just playing direct to the board because they often didn't have time for soundchecks on that tour. A good bass on stage is worth a lot more than a great amp sitting in the van. There are many situations where a backline is provided or where you can borrow equipment.
There was a band touring with the Winery Dogs called Sixxus; I was talking to their bassist who is very good and he said that he was just playing direct to the board because they often didn't have time for soundchecks on that tour. A good bass on stage is worth a lot more than a great amp sitting in the van. There are many situations where a backline is provided or where you can borrow equipment.
I have to upgrade my bass from full scale to short scale that can't wait too much longer as my small hands can't take much more of it.
After that I'll work on getting better amps and yeah I meant that to be plural
After that I'll work on getting better amps and yeah I meant that to be plural
I would go instrument first all day. I don't think more power is important with the conditions you've given. In fact, I don't think an amplifier is very important at all if you're the average player who largely plays at home. All electric basses are acoustic first. I vote quality instrument. You still have an amp for other situations.
for me. an amp before a guitar. because i like the bass i'm playing so i want to get a better quality amp. i have a gretsch i had a ampeg ba-108 and upgraded to a ba-115hp. i also need a bigger amp for volume purposes.
i think i had an effect pedal or two before the upgrade. i think a better question is should you buy effect pedals or amp first? pedals are cheaper than an amp. if you're not being heard in the band and you could have a more quality to your sound, then it makes sense to by an amp first. but that didn't stop me, and many. when it comes to buying pedals it's not rational. you don't need them, but you want them.
i'm kind looking for anyother bass, because i'm happy with my amp. buying a new bass can be an upgrade if you have a bad/broken/cheap bass. if you have a good bass, then buying a new bass is a different sound/style.
i think i had an effect pedal or two before the upgrade. i think a better question is should you buy effect pedals or amp first? pedals are cheaper than an amp. if you're not being heard in the band and you could have a more quality to your sound, then it makes sense to by an amp first. but that didn't stop me, and many. when it comes to buying pedals it's not rational. you don't need them, but you want them.
i'm kind looking for anyother bass, because i'm happy with my amp. buying a new bass can be an upgrade if you have a bad/broken/cheap bass. if you have a good bass, then buying a new bass is a different sound/style.
Definitely the amp. Even a crappy bass can be set up to play decently. You can't set up a cheap amp. Buy a good amp.
This. The amp is also easiest and least expensive to upgrade. You can upgrade to a very decent, versatile amp for $300-$500. Unless you are playing a real beater of a bass an upgrade in that price range could be less impactful.
I would say that if your bass is O.K. but just not a top model, upgrade the amp first. However, I did it the other way round because of the circumstances.
I bought the Rick bass first when things went pear-shaped. Having bought it, I thought Stereo bass needs stereo amp. I built the 2 cabinets with 2 x 2 x 15"
Altec bass speakers and got a custom built amp built by a graduate of Melbourne Uni who lived in Oxford. Mid 70s. 40 years ago! It all still works wonderfully.
You have to make it possible from within your own mind. Tonehenge is pictured.
I bought the Rick bass first when things went pear-shaped. Having bought it, I thought Stereo bass needs stereo amp. I built the 2 cabinets with 2 x 2 x 15"
Altec bass speakers and got a custom built amp built by a graduate of Melbourne Uni who lived in Oxford. Mid 70s. 40 years ago! It all still works wonderfully.
You have to make it possible from within your own mind. Tonehenge is pictured.
