Getting my first bass

[Haki]

Been playing guitar for a while now and have been thinking about picking up a second instrument. Since there's nothing on TV I might as well find new ways to make noise. Found a bass teacher that looks promising so now I need a bass.

The one bass that's always appealed to me is a Thunderbird, but I don't want to spend that much money right off the bat so it'd an Epiphone rather than Gibson. Not really a Fender guy though a Squire Jaguar does have some appeal. Any experiences with these or other suggestions are welcome as I'm new to the world of bass.

Not so much on a budget but I don't feel comfortable dropping a lot of money into an instrument that I'm not too familiar with.

[Noise...]

If you go with an Epi Thunderbird, play a bunch of them first. I've played quite a few - some were decent, some weren't fit to be made into match sticks.

While you aren't big on Fenders, I'd still recommend trying the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe lines. They're pretty nice quality, and not too expensive. Steer clear of the standard and affinity lines though. They're garbage.

[futuresailors]

Random Japanese/eastern european vintage things.
I've got a Jolana Galaxis that I adore.

[CaptainWampum]

Even if you're not a fender guitar guy, I'd be sure to check out some of the basses, they're sort of a different thing in my opinion. But as far as thunderbirds go, I really dig 'em, but like he said you gotta check a few out first because I did play one once that was ABSOLUTELY terrible.

[Haki]

If you go with an Epi Thunderbird, play a bunch of them first. I've played quite a few - some were decent, some weren't fit to be made into match sticks.

Yeah, any Epi I buy will be the one I played. One store in particular likes to come off as helpful by giving you a brand new one in an unopened box rather than the one you actually tried out.

While you aren't big on Fenders, I'd still recommend trying the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe lines. They're pretty nice quality, and not too expensive. Steer clear of the standard and affinity lines though. They're garbage.

Even if you're not a fender guitar guy, I'd be sure to check out some of the basses, they're sort of a different thing in my opinion. But as far as thunderbirds go, I really dig 'em, but like he said you gotta check a few out first because I did play one once that was ABSOLUTELY terrible.

The Fender thing is based on guitar where most of their models just don't do anything for me. Will keep an open mind when it comes to the basses. The Vintage Modified series has my attention and I'll definitely try them out along with the Epi. In a weird way it'd be nice to not get a Thunderbird so I can reward myself down the road with one, similar to how I got an SG before an LP.

[Noise...]

The VM line is nice - I have a '70s Jazz Bass, and it's solid. I'd recommend one of the other models over it, though, as it doesn't have a ton of thump - you're looking at the Thunderbird, so I'd say go for something with a P-Bass pickup instead of Jazz Bass pickups. Maybe even the Telebass?

The Jaguar Bass looks pretty nice too!

[tuffteef]

dude if u play guitar
u srs dnt need bass guitar lessons

[Noise...]

dude if u play guitar
u srs dnt need bass guitar lessons

Also that. It's similar enough that you can fiddle around with it and get good on bass on your own.

[tuffteef]

dude if u play guitar
u srs dnt need bass guitar lessons

Also that. It's similar enough that you can fiddle around with it and get good on bass on your own.

yeah that and its bass.....

AMIRITE???? AMIRITE??? DAMN SONNNNN

[Achtane]

I mean since when do bass players play music they are there to just make indistinguishable thump noises . Why else do you think they never get mic ed up at shows?

[one bad monkey]

dude if u play guitar
u srs dnt need bass guitar lessons

Also that. It's similar enough that you can fiddle around with it and get good on bass on your own.

Oh yeah, this crap again.

[one bad monkey]

I mean since when do bass players play music they are there to just make indistinguishable thump noises . Why else do you think they never get mic ed up at shows?

I don't play music; I collect checks since bass players are in more demand than guitarists.

[MaxMaps]

I mean since when do bass players play music they are there to just make indistinguishable thump noises . Why else do you think they never get mic ed up at shows?

I don't play music; I collect checks since bass players are in more demand than guitarists.

God I love this man!

[Noise...]

dude if u play guitar
u srs dnt need bass guitar lessons

Also that. It's similar enough that you can fiddle around with it and get good on bass on your own.

Oh yeah, this crap again.

You're preaching to the choir. I play bass too, and have played almost as long as I have guitar. I'm not saying it as an insult. I'm saying it as someone who threw away money on bass lessons because plenty of bassists told me that it was necessary. It wasn't, and I regret putting money into the bass lessons that didn't teach me anything that I didn't already know.

It was a waste of money that could have been put into a nice bass amp. Or a higher end bass. For someone that already has guitar down fairly well, picking up bass is easier than just starting from nothing. You have to learn finger techniques, and get used to a significantly longer scale length and string thickness, but the notes are all there, and the basic mechanics of fretting a string and playing a note are all there.

I'd say the same thing to a bassist looking to play guitar. After all, the two instruments are very, very similar. Sure - different techniques, but same general idea.

[Bassboar]

I mean since when do bass players play music they are there to just make indistinguishable thump noises . Why else do you think they never get mic ed up at shows?

I don't play music; I collect checks since bass players are in more demand than guitarists.

Amen.
But seriously, I would look into a lower end Ibanez bass, good stuff for the price.