cc5050

Hi, I'm 15, and I'm not sure if I want to learn the Bass guitar or just an acoustic guitar.
I already own a guitar, since my Dad gave me his old one recently, and my mum is willing to give me about £200 (~$290) to buy a bass guitar and equipment if I use it.

A few people told me I should try and learn guitar before getting a bass (which I will probably end up doing), but it feels like a lot of effort for getting another instrument.
I also have a few good friends learning instruments, a drummer and two guitarists, so owning a bass guitar might be more useful if we want to play together.



ALSO: What brand? I play left handed, so some people told me to get Ibanez but they seem a little pricey

Plankton

If your Mom is willing to give you $290, then get yourself a bass, and learn a few songs. You'll be set for life. The guitar player to bass player ratio is about 10/1.

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EPOCH6

Learn both eventually, but start with bass, it's an easier instrument to approach and start learning but of course, like any instrument, extremely difficult to master. Plank's definitely right about bass players being in high demand, there are way too many guitar players. Get a good grip on playing bass and you'll have no trouble finding a band that needs you.

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cc5050

thanks for the replies, this will help me a lot.

Neapolitan

If you have already own a guitar then get a bass, but stick with the guitar, learning as much as possible. If you start off with the guitar picking up bass becomes a little easier. It helps when you are jamming with band and the guitar player wants to do songs you don't know yet. You would know what chords the guitar playing is playing, even in open position, and follow what he is doing without him yelling the chords to you - you can fake your way through a song no problem.

As with any instrument there is a never ending learning curve, where you find out there is more and more to learn. So it takes some time to understand if it is the right choice for you. In the end you should choose the instrument that interest you the most and the one you get the most enjoyment from playing it. That will encourage you to become a better musician.

I'm not saying it is the one to buy, but I played a Sterling by Music Man which hoovers around $299 and I thought that bass had exceptional action for its price range. But that could be just that one particular bass, maybe the way it was set up. I thought that particular bass was better than basses two to four times the price. In all honesty you really have to play the instrument to see how well it feels playing it before you buy it.

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Paul Smeenus

I do both





But a big standup acoustic is an incredible sound, I wish I had one

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GuD

Lemme go ooooooon like a blister in the sun
Lemme go ooooon big hands I know you're the one


Acoustic bass guitars sound neat.

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Frownland

My friend has that exact model and it's honestly the best non standup bass I've ever played.

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Coulter

bass is going to be easier to learn , but guitar will always give you more to work with , and singers will appreciate you too

Paul Smeenus

It's a fantastic bass for a ridiculously small price ($200 new) but it does have 1 flaw, while it does have a pick-up it feeds back like a booger-bear when plugged in. I never tried it mic'ed so idk

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