What's More Important, Bass or Amp? - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

Chip Stewart · 11-18-2009, 09:35 AM

I use an inexpensive bass (Hamer Slammer SB-4) with an Ampeg B100R amp, and get really nice tone. From my experience, it seems to me that the order of importance for tone is amp>strings>bass. Obviously, having a high-end bass with a high-end amp would be best, but if you had to cut costs would it be on the amp or the bass?

RockStarBassist · 11-18-2009, 09:37 AM

Bass all day. Junk in, junk out, IME.

Plus I've too often had to plug straight into a DI on a "budget" bass and get

tone...

Chaos5522 · 11-18-2009, 09:39 AM

It really depends...if you can find a cheaper bass that plays well, you can skimp there. If you find a cheaper amp that gives you the tone you want, then you can skimp there...

Emprov · 11-18-2009, 09:43 AM

I'd take a good bass over a good amp any day of the week.

JacieFB · 11-18-2009, 09:46 AM

I think it really depends on "how bad" the bad side of the equation is. A terrible bass can make a good rig sound like poo. Same goes for a terrible rig making a good bass sound like poo.

Chaos5522 · 11-18-2009, 09:50 AM

Eh, while I'm not that good yet, I find in the hands of a musician with proper technique, the instrument matters the least. Just last night I watched my buddy break a string on his PRS, have to switch to his roommates piece of crap Ibanez, and lay down a recording that sounded as good as the first two takes, despite a difference in string gauge and neck scale.

justinbass · 11-18-2009, 09:52 AM

If you are playing with a PA, the bass is all that matters. You amp is just your stage volume.

bluedogaudio · 11-18-2009, 09:55 AM

For me, I usually play bigger rooms where I'm going through the PA, so my bass is most important. If you're not going through the PA, you're amp might be most important. Either way, I'd make sure I had a nice bass first.

Funkee1 · 11-18-2009, 09:58 AM

They are of equal importance. A good amp can improve a crappy bass a little, and a lousy amp can make a great bass sound like shit.

However, I bet if you put a $200 Rogue played thru a Crate combo in the hands or Marcus Miller, he'll find a way to get his tone out of it!

chunky-b · 11-18-2009, 10:00 AM

For me, the BASS PLAYER!

Flâneur · 11-18-2009, 10:02 AM

Why would you want to make a poor sound louder?

Quality sometimes varies directly with price, but by no means always.

One Bad Monkey · 11-18-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockStarBassist

Bass all day. Junk in, junk out, IME.

Plus I've too often had to plug straight into a DI on a "budget" bass and get

tone...

+1. Most of the places I play have me DI out to the board, making the amp a personal monitor for myself. If you don't have a bass that has a good sound to begin with, nothing else is going to help that.

rpsands · 11-18-2009, 10:20 AM

I'm going to say bass but not for the reason you'd think-

Even a $100.00 SX will sound great through a good amp and a good cabinet. Can tell you that from experience

Cheap basses still tend to SOUND fine.

But, having an axe you enjoy playing is more important than anything. Interestingly enough, a nice set of strings and a nice setup will make almost any bass feel good (but not great necessarily as that often involves fretwork), though.

That said, your strings make a bigger difference than the bass's pickups IMHO, so I wouldn't obsess over the sound of your bass, as much as its playability.

I tend to buy a nicer bass first because they tend to have an ability to get easier and nicer to play. But nicer is only up to a point. Up beyond 1000 bucks or so there's not a huge difference in quality.

For most situations I'd say save your bucks on an amp, get something you can hear, and invest the rest in your bass, lessons, and a nice PA. If you are having to carry sound for a whole room though, things change and it's time to get a nice amp.

zachoff · 11-18-2009, 10:22 AM

The bass. I've been complimented on my tone playing through a Crate 100B and a Yorkville 400B, albeit not by bass players.

NeonVomit · 11-18-2009, 10:27 AM

Bass, easy. For a whole multitude of reasons.

lug · 11-18-2009, 10:29 AM

No matter which bass I try, I simply cannot get a good sound out of this rug!

NeonVomit · 11-18-2009, 10:31 AM

Well, that's because you're holding it wrong!

Rob Martinez · 11-18-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunky-b

For me, the BASS PLAYER!

That's what I say!

I often gig with a Hofner Icon bass (not an expensive instrument, about $300) with an Ampeg BA112 ($250) or B100R ($500), and I get a killer tone, and kudos from band members. Audiences don't seem to mind either!

t3ch · 11-18-2009, 10:40 AM

- You run direct from a Bass usually, not an amp

- If you can't play through your amp for whatever reason, you'll still have a good base tone

- You don't actively play an amp for hours on end; your bass needs to be comfortable, play well, and sound good

- Most amps can be at least EQ'd to sound decent; good luck making a crap bass sound like not crap.

ezstep · 11-18-2009, 10:45 AM

Never, never stack your bass rig on a foosball table. The ball will rattle and it will sound terrible!

Seriously, I think with your current rig (Hamer + B100R)...keep the amp, upgrade the bass when you need to upgrade. Personally, I like the B100R!!!

11-18-2009, 09:35 AM	#1
Chip Stewart Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 488	What's More Important, Bass or Amp? I use an inexpensive bass (Hamer Slammer SB-4) with an Ampeg B100R amp, and get really nice tone. From my experience, it seems to me that the order of importance for tone is amp>strings>bass. Obviously, having a high-end bass with a high-end amp would be best, but if you had to cut costs would it be on the amp or the bass? __________________ www.myspace.com/chipstewartmusic

11-18-2009, 09:43 AM	#4
Emprov Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Kaleefornyia Posts: 13,122	I'd take a good bass over a good amp any day of the week. __________________ * = prone to being completely clueless. This space for rent

11-18-2009, 09:46 AM	#5
JacieFB Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Your coffin or mine? Posts: 11,087	I think it really depends on "how bad" the bad side of the equation is. A terrible bass can make a good rig sound like poo. Same goes for a terrible rig making a good bass sound like poo. __________________ "I was going to cross everything but my legs but I'm too late " -BHK Who wants to buy a Ric 4003 Mapleglo? Member #11 - HCBF Mesa Brigade 2009 good deals with: woodyjunior, ::fred::

11-18-2009, 09:52 AM	#7
justinbass Hall of Fame Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,401	If you are playing with a PA, the bass is all that matters. You amp is just your stage volume. __________________ 80s MIJ Jazz / Reverend JJ Genz Benz GBE750 -> Avatar 410 Neo

11-18-2009, 09:55 AM	#8
bluedogaudio Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 3,624	For me, I usually play bigger rooms where I'm going through the PA, so my bass is most important. If you're not going through the PA, you're amp might be most important. Either way, I'd make sure I had a nice bass first. __________________ Sadowsky UV70, 1972 Fender Jazz, 1989 Fender American Standard Jazz, 1996 Hamer 2Tek Cruise, Fender Jazz Fretless MIJ Thunderfunk TFB750-A, Aguilar GS 412, Acme Low B-2, Ampeg SVT-VR

11-18-2009, 09:58 AM	#9
Funkee1 Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 18,362	They are of equal importance. A good amp can improve a crappy bass a little, and a lousy amp can make a great bass sound like shit. However, I bet if you put a $200 Rogue played thru a Crate combo in the hands or Marcus Miller, he'll find a way to get his tone out of it! __________________ www.myspace.com/beyondcategoryband www.stageonepromotions.com http://www.surewilljazz.com Can a blue man sing the whites?- Bnyswonger Jewelry and crafts at www.rosannesgems.etsy.com

11-18-2009, 10:00 AM	#10
chunky-b Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Going down to the crossroads... Posts: 6,843	For me, the BASS PLAYER!

11-18-2009, 10:02 AM	#11
Flâneur Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: At foot o' stairs. Posts: 685	Why would you want to make a poor sound louder? Quality sometimes varies directly with price, but by no means always.

11-18-2009, 10:20 AM	#13
rpsands Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,993	I'm going to say bass but not for the reason you'd think- Even a $100.00 SX will sound great through a good amp and a good cabinet. Can tell you that from experience Cheap basses still tend to SOUND fine. But, having an axe you enjoy playing is more important than anything. Interestingly enough, a nice set of strings and a nice setup will make almost any bass feel good (but not great necessarily as that often involves fretwork), though. That said, your strings make a bigger difference than the bass's pickups IMHO, so I wouldn't obsess over the sound of your bass, as much as its playability. I tend to buy a nicer bass first because they tend to have an ability to get easier and nicer to play. But nicer is only up to a point. Up beyond 1000 bucks or so there's not a huge difference in quality. For most situations I'd say save your bucks on an amp, get something you can hear, and invest the rest in your bass, lessons, and a nice PA. If you are having to carry sound for a whole room though, things change and it's time to get a nice amp. __________________ Moses Starhawk 5-string Pedals: GM modded BBE OptoStomp, GM low end shelving pedal, Ibanez LU20 tuner, MXR M80 DI/Overdrive Markbass F1 -> LDS 15/6 fEarful Seventy Five Summers

11-18-2009, 10:22 AM	#14
zachoff Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Boulder, CO Suburbia Posts: 34,264	The bass. I've been complimented on my tone playing through a Crate 100B and a Yorkville 400B, albeit not by bass players. __________________ HCBF Reverend Club 1990 Squier P Deluxe, 2000 Reverend Rumblefish J/J, 2009 SX P ?? Fender Bassman 135 w/Fender 2x15 199x Yorkville 400B 1x15 1990 Squier Fat Strat, 2003 Squier 72 Tele Custom, 2008 Yamaha CPX700 Peavey Max100, USA Big Muff, Boss TU2 it would rule to login, get some coffee, look at what's scheduled for the day then sip coffee and look at boobs for awihle - corpo

11-18-2009, 10:27 AM	#15
NeonVomit Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: London, UK Posts: 10,472	Bass, easy. For a whole multitude of reasons. __________________ My band, Winter's Verge! My current gear: Warwick Thumb Bolt-on 6 with SD Basslines - Washburn XB-120TBL - Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 - Ashdown ABM 4x10 cabinet I don't play your "wrong notes" - I just have a creative use of the chromatic scale in my atonal explorations! - i_wanna_les_paul Talkbass is for terrorists and communist scum. - Kingmaker I'm thinking of doing Postgraduate study in Costume Design....then I can be a Master of Disguise. - FreestyleIntruder

11-18-2009, 10:29 AM	#16
lug Hall of Fame Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: League City Tx. 77573 Posts: 50,829	No matter which bass I try, I simply cannot get a good sound out of this rug! __________________ Well, I'm not sure how much I can respect any man who takes Lug seriously - King Kashue Sucking like that is a gift. You couldn't recognize the genius of Suck if it sat on your face and farted. -S4001 You don't fix Lug's posts. Lug's posts fix you. - MrJoshua You can be my HCBF boyfriend forever. - Sugarskull http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=LUG

11-18-2009, 10:31 AM	#17
NeonVomit Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: London, UK Posts: 10,472	Well, that's because you're holding it wrong! __________________ My band, Winter's Verge! My current gear: Warwick Thumb Bolt-on 6 with SD Basslines - Washburn XB-120TBL - Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 - Ashdown ABM 4x10 cabinet I don't play your "wrong notes" - I just have a creative use of the chromatic scale in my atonal explorations! - i_wanna_les_paul Talkbass is for terrorists and communist scum. - Kingmaker I'm thinking of doing Postgraduate study in Costume Design....then I can be a Master of Disguise. - FreestyleIntruder

11-18-2009, 10:40 AM	#19
t3ch Banned Join Date: May 2004 Location: Smarmyville Posts: 19,789	- You run direct from a Bass usually, not an amp - If you can't play through your amp for whatever reason, you'll still have a good base tone - You don't actively play an amp for hours on end; your bass needs to be comfortable, play well, and sound good - Most amps can be at least EQ'd to sound decent; good luck making a crap bass sound like not crap.

11-18-2009, 10:45 AM	#20
ezstep Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: north Louisiana Posts: 7,992	Never, never stack your bass rig on a foosball table. The ball will rattle and it will sound terrible! Seriously, I think with your current rig (Hamer + B100R)...keep the amp, upgrade the bass when you need to upgrade. Personally, I like the B100R!!! __________________ I'm keeping in mind that that another term for scoring a lug song to sheet music is "staff infection"............. the artist formerly known as DRF

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