Do I NEED a bass amp?

[asdfgh]

I'm looking at getting a bass mainly for home recording purposes. I have a rather nice (and don't laugh, it works pretty good) Radio Shack 50 watt speaker/amp and a digitech RP-7 multi-effects pedal. Is it a good idea to get a bass amp as well as a bass? Can anyone give me a recommendation of a good bass/amp package out there?

Thanks

 

[Bass Case]

That all depends on how much of $$$ you have. Do you want new or used? Will you only be using the amp just at home? This info would help us a lot, because there is a lot you could get.
Eric

 

[MatW]

If it's just for home recording probably not. You can go straght into the desk, and most modern digital multitracks have amp simulators and FX built in.

Of course, if you're serious about playing you'll need one. Although, I often play without any amplication in a quite room. I find this very useful.

 

[brewer]

To learn how to play bass, or to get better at playing bass, you definately NEED an amp. If all you're doing is some basic thump bass for recoding, then you probably don't need one.

Being a lifetime bass enthusiast i find the concept you descibe as being horrifically despicable. To even consider minimizing the bassists role you have offended many, if not most everyone here. But thats OK, we can handle it. Afterall, bassists can handle anything. REAL bassists that is.

[This message has been edited by brewer (edited June 23, 2000).]

 

[Andy Daventry]

Hey, Brewer, lighten up! It works the other way too! I find I mostly use my Strat as a car jack these days!

Andy

 

[brewer]

Ha!,Ha! not a bad idea Andy. what kind of music are you recording?

 

[Boplicity]

Brewer..."horrifically despicable"...I LOVE that phrase. That is a handy phrase I can use instead of the coarser "major suckage" I favor.

But, anyway, in answer to the original question about "needing" a bass amp. My philosophy is that if you are committed to playing bass and making it be all that it can be, then make the committment to buy what is needed to achieve that goal. Even a small pratcice amp with one ten inch speaker will do wonders to your ears when learning what you can make that bass do.

It also means buying a good quality cable, a comfortable strap, decent strings, and I'd add a tuner and an electronic metronome or basic drum machine too. Just those little fundamental accessories will make a difference. By trying to see how little you can spend or buy, I think you cheat yourself and deprive yourself of the entire bass experience. If you are committed to playing bass...that is. If the bass is just background for a guitar recording or whatever, well, then just use what you have. But the key word here is "committment." How committed are you to bass guitar? Having a corner cutting mentality won't give you all you can get. Jason Oldsted

 

[Stingray5]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by asdfgh:
I'm looking at getting a bass mainly for home recording purposes. I have a rather nice (and don't laugh, it works pretty good) Radio Shack 50 watt speaker/amp and a digitech RP-7 multi-effects pedal. Is it a good idea to get a bass amp as well as a bass? Can anyone give me a recommendation of a good bass/amp package out there?

Thanks<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You may want to provide a bit more info.

For example, if you're a guitarist who just wants a bass so you can record demos playing everything yourself, I'd say don't bother spending the $$$ on an amp. Get an inexpensive bass, lay down the parts and you're done.

However, if you're interested in becoming a bass player, then yes, definitely get an amp.

There's probably a bunch of good threads in the "amps" section about what's good for a beginner.