I just purchased by first bass, and I was told to learn tabs, how to read them and all.
I looked up a few sites online, but I could only find guitar tabs and very poorly explained bass tabs, and I was a bit confused. I understand the dashed lines represent the strings, and that a 0 is open, but what does every other number represent?
I know that this isnt what was asked, and Ill probably be flamed for saying it, but I think it would be a verry good idea to learn standard notation in addition to/instead of tabs. I started with standard notation and greatly prefer it to tabs, which i only use when i cant find sheet music. It will give you a beter understanding of the music. I consider tabs to be a band-aid type thing. they give a quick fix, but it dosnt work verry well. I have nothing against people who use tabs but I dont think the world needs any more of them.
Yes, I do agree with you spudmaster, and I will be learning standard notation... as soon as i get lessons schedualed. Right now I'm on my own, and just want to mess around a bit.
Oh, and my band is going to be writing stuff out in tabs for me to work on... so at this moment in time, i need yo have an understand of tabs.
Tabs - anyone willing to explain? 
that was what I had thought... but I wasn't sure.
