what to upgrade?

[fourstrings]

hey guys, i'm kind of new to playing bass. so, i have an OLP MM2 stingray copy right now, with a tiny Ashdown Tourbus 10, and i'm thinking of how to possibly improve my tone. i'm looking at two options right now:
1. Orange CR50BXT 50W Bass Amp ($395)
2. Ashdown Perfect Ten 30W Bass Amp ($265) + Seymour Duncan SMB-4a musicman pickup ($135) (Sum total $400)
I've also read that it may be better to upgrade the bridge and tuners instead of the pickup, why is that so?
What do you guys think?

 

[lordie]

upgrade your bass.

 

[Stan_Kumar]

Or at least have a an idea whether you're gonna play to a crowd or just to yourself. The choice you make will decide how much lighter your wallet will be

 

[fourstrings]

upgrade my bass as in get a new one? that's kinda beyond me right now.
I'm only practising at home currently, but I don't know if I'll ever play to a crowd and I don't want my amp to be too underpowered. I know combo amps aren't exactly good for gigging, but I can't afford a rig anyway.

 

[dooda]

upgrade your bass as in modify it. i suggest you do what you suggested, which is to mod with seymour duncan and get the ashdown 30w. all the best

OR you might want to mod your bridge, pups and tuners first, then get the amp later when you have more cash

 

[fourstrings]

mm, what does changing the bridge and tuners do?

 

[lordie]

upgrade your bass as in modify it. i suggest you do what you suggested, which is to mod with seymour duncan and get the ashdown 30w. all the best

OR you might want to mod your bridge, pups and tuners first, then get the amp later when you have more cash

might as well get a new bass. those mods alone going to set u back by at least 400-500+. depends on brands, and the word is upgrade so i guess u are getting good stuff, what abt onboard pre-amp? that would be another 300. so upgrade cost $800 for a OLP. might as well get a new bass.

u want amp? get a amplug + good headphones.

 

[alanchia]

=fourstrings

playing alone or already in a band? if in a band, sometimes subtle quality of tone do get loss due to other instruments playing.

 

[fourstrings]

i don't have much to spend on bass, so i'd probably get one or two upgrades at most.

not in a band yet.

 

[alanchia]

i don't have much to spend on bass, so i'd probably get one or two upgrades at most.

not in a band yet.

I'll suggest you just keep practicing and upgrade the tone only if you are playing regularly in band (and the music requires it).

Some tone can be dialed-in, using effect/stomp box.

 

[lordie]

i don't have much to spend on bass, so i'd probably get one or two upgrades at most.

not in a band yet.

and that 1+2 upgrade + if u sell your bass = u can get a better bass.

 

[lordie]

=fourstrings

playing alone or already in a band? if in a band, sometimes subtle quality of tone do get loss due to other instruments playing.

a lot of difference if u are using different basses eg ) fender jazz vs EBMM

 

[kester]

I think before you think of upgrading, think of what kind of tone you want. That should influence what upgrades you get.

 

[cool-beans]

Do you know what kind of tone you're looking for?

 

[fourstrings]

I know the stingray tone is impossible with an olp, but I want to get at least some sort of punchy, fat growl.

 

[kester]

I know the stingray tone is impossible with an olp, but I want to get at least some sort of punchy, fat growl.

Perhaps you should try roundwound strings, EMG pickups and using more of the bridge pickup. Hope that works.

 

[lordie]

I know the stingray tone is impossible with an olp, but I want to get at least some sort of punchy, fat growl.

well try it with a OPB-3 pre-amp. $280? that would definitely add that punch u looking for and maybe dial in a mid growl to add and change to a some nice strings as well. it makes a world of difference.

 

[shinobi]

upgrading the tuners... nahhh

upgrading the bridge... depending on how crappy the stock bridge is. my japanese fender jazz is quite a sweet instrument but the stock bridge was garbage. changed it and it made a huge difference.

upgrading the pickups is worth considering since that stock bridge would probably be kinda crappy.

installing a preamp would also make a difference. but if you mod your pickups and preamp you are effectively changing the sound of your bass and not merely 'improving' it per se. if you like the tone you're getting, you may want to reconsider. if you don't and need to do something cheaper than getting a new bass, then go for it.