I’m going to speak in large generalities to try and give an overview of where to start with all this. All of this can go about as deep as you want to research but you have to start somewhere. Let me know if you want me to expand on anything. Also, I’m not advocating for any particular gear. Anything I mention is just an example.
1. What base sound do you want?
Just like you will prefer the sound of a P bass, J bass, or humbuckers, or whatever, you’ll also have a preferred amp sound.
The big three are Ampeg, Fender, or Clean. There are others: Aguilar, Orange, Darkglass, Galien Kruger, Hartke, etc. Most are some variation of the big three. What makes them different is the “baked in” EQ that gives each one its signature sound.
The “clean” option has a neutral sound with no baked in EQ. What comes out of your bass is what comes out of the amp.
For instance, an Ampeg always sounds like an Ampeg. Even though you can adjust the on-board EQ knobs, it will still sound like an Ampeg because of that starting “baked in” EQ. There’s nothing wrong with this, especially if you love the Ampeg sound, but it is important to know what you’re working with and what its capabilities are. Just like how a P Bass is always going to sound like a P Bass.
From a different perspective, the Aguilar Tone Hammer preamp pedal can do a very convincing Ampeg sound with the AGS button engaged. Without the AGS, it acts like a “clean” preamp as I described above.
2. What features do you want?
EQ options (i.e., parametric mid controls), High/Low Pass Filters, Aux In, Headphone Out, DI Out, Effects Loop, DAI, foot switchable EQ options, mute, bypass, Speaker Sim, etc.
For instance…
I need Aux In, Headphone Out, DI Out.
I want expanded EQ control, and High/Low Pass Filters.
I don’t want a DAI built in. I like that separate.
3. Do you need an amplifier?
If you’re playing with other people, I say yes. Different practice situations, small gigs where you bring your own gear. There are lots of reasons you’ll want your own amp. Part of it is being able to say, I’m here, I’m ready, and my equipment is ready to go.
The alternative to this, is if somebody in the band already has a PA system that you just need to connect to using a DI. If this is the case, you can use a preamp pedal with a DI connection (this is where the Ampeg SGT-DI suggestion came from), or you can get a stand-alone DI box, like the Radial JDI @Al1885 showed in the picture above.
4. How much power do you need?
If you do go with getting your own bass amp, 350-500 watts is a good place to be. I usually recommend 500 watts because they’ve become some prevalent it’s usually a better deal for your money. Not because you’re going to need that much. I guess it’s also about future proofing. You can always turn the amp down if you need to be quieter and if you need more than 500 watts the place will have a PA.
If I remember correctly, this was a few years ago, you can rent 2,000 watts of PA, for the weekend, for $200.
5. What about PreAmp pedals?
The traditional amplifier is made up of three parts; Pre Amp, Power Amp, Speaker Cabinet.
A preamp pedal is the Pre Amp part in a pedal format. This is a pretty big deal because it means you can easily carry your sound with you to any gig you might have.
I’m pretty sure every bass amp produced in the last 30 years has an effects loop. This means you can show up to any place that’s providing equipment, plug your preamp into the effects return, adjust EQ for the speakers and room, and you have your sound ready to go.
The reason this works is since you’re plugging into the effects return, you’re skipping the built in pre amp and using your pre amp with power amp and speaker cabinet provided. This way you don’t have to figure out how to get your sound with different gear every time.
For example, let’s say you love the sound of your Ampeg but you show up to a venue that requires you to use the provided Fender Rumble 500 amp. If you have an Ampeg SGT-DI, you can plug it into the effects return, skipping the Rumble pre amp, and that Rumble will sound like your Ampeg.
