Which would you upgrade first? An amp or a bass?

[RKBassGuyNJ]

In my case, I went from using a Behringer 1x15 and 2x10 rig with a Behringer BS4500T with my RockBass Corvette Classic 4.

All at once, I upgrade both. Moved to a Fender MIM Active Jazz Deluxe and an Eden Nemesis NA320 head, ampeg SVT115 and SVT210. Totally different ballgame, the new rig is AWESOME.

Bottom line, save the money, and do BOTH!

-RK

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Id have to say the amp.

But, thats because i like amps that colour the sound alot, i mainly use an Ampeg SVT-II through a Marshall VBC810 (8x10 sealed cab), and even when i use my old cheapy Ibanez TR50 through it, it sounds awsome!

 

[permadave]

I'd say it depends how crappy your bass is. If it works and its fairly playable, go for the amp first!

 

[iplaybassguitar]

i guess that depends on exactly what my current setup would be, and how much money i would get to upgrade...right now it would probably be the amp...as im fortunate to have a decent bass (ibanez sr905). i actually just upgraded my amp to a gk backline 600 with the 2x10 and 15, but its not the greatest amp in the world...it is sick for the price tho...
i would probably upgrade the amp to a high end gk or swr i guess.

 

[iplaybassguitar]

IMO upgrading a bass is more important Because its what you tuch, what you feel , and ultimately what you make music with and if it dosnt feel right then your not able to create so fully or as good. Well thats my Two Cents.

+1...play the bass not the amp

 

[jazzbasser535]

You could just get both...
Or just carrots.

 

[agreatheight]

Better rig = more wattage & more / more efficient cabs = louder bass, which is good if you are in a band and thinking about gigging. You can gig with a $300 bass, but you can't with a $350 rig - unless you got the deal of a lifetime !

 

[Ale]

Bass ,
You can always borrow or rent amps , or the venue will get one for you. But a good bass is always personal.
Imo ..
/ Ale

 

[davidmurphy]

Amp.
I had been considering getting new pickups for MIJ Jazz to unmudify (you heard me!) the tone. Either that or just get a Stingray.
Then I got my GK 1001RB & Ampeg 810.
My Jazz now has more punch than an evil boxer.
I always assumed that other TB'ers who talked about using their amps flat must have had a pretty horrible, middy tone.
Now I know better.

The 100W Trace combo I have always sounds really muffled & bassy or nasally. Only now do I have an amp with usable mids.

 

[El-Bob]

amp all the way!

 

[keb]

Myself, bass. I don't really use or need an amp anymore. (Direct to board/PA via SansAmp or POD.)

Time to go the full Geddy Lee route (who also goes ampless these days) and set up a wall of clothes dryers to mike up.

 

[yaniv]

it really depends...if your bass is playable,upgrade the amp
if your amp got a good tone,upgrade the bass
if both are ok and you just wanna improve your overall sound,buy a preamp
if you're hungry,buy the carrots

 

[moopants]

I'm always looking to try new things, so when I buy new basses, they're not too much of upgrades. I went from fretted 4 to fretless 4, and now, I'm going on to fretted 6. My amp WAS a Marshall guitar amp, which sounded really bad. I bought a Crate BT25. It's not really wonderful, but it gets the job done for jamming with a couple friends or a band. In fact, I used it for marching band. I'd upgrade the bass first. If you really need the amp for a big gig, then you can rent them, or borrow one from a friend. If you really can't get one, then maybe you should get an amp first, but I'm sure you'd know ahead of time if you're doing a big gig. You don't just do them on whims. Most of the time, at least.

 

[JoshRomance]

I don't get it, majority of replies say get the amp over the bass, yet bass is beating amp and carrots.

Why on earth should ANYthing beat carrots?

 

[JoshRomance]

My Case:
I've never owned what some would call a "great" bass. But at gigs I get tone compliments ALL THE TIME... it's the amp. End of story.

 

[szvonek]

I'd say bass just for the fact that I play direct at almost every gig, rendering the amp virtually a non-factor...

 

[haloonpc]

I'd say go amp first 'cause no matter how nice your bass is it will sound ugly with a cheap amp.

 

[Silver Moon]

I chose amp... For months I played through this tiny guitar amp from the 1940's... I thought I sounded terrible and I always thought I had a bad sound! For my birthday I recieved a real bass amp and was shocked at how much better the sound was!! As for the bass... I have seen the writing on the Wal, and it's true that if you're a great bassist, you can make any bass sound like great. (Unless it is falling apart or whatever.)

-K-

 

[Seb_VitusFreak]

I voted carrots because there was not a 'depends' option.

If a player is not in a band then get a good bass. Don't get a Fodera or Sadowski but a US Fender or Musicman or Bolt on Warwick (or something similar). Then save for the amp.

That's my ideal at this point also.

 

[SGT. Pepper]

A good amp can make a cheap bass sound good. But a cheap amp makes a good bass sound cheap.