should I go to the dark side?

Gord_oh · #1 03-22-2010, 09:28 AM

EDIT: WENT TO THE DARK SIDE. :P
READ UPDATED POSTS.

first off i was tuba player gone bass player. i had musical background knowledge and i taught myself bass. been playing for awhile now and while i was fixing a friends yamaha strat, i starting thinking more about playing guitar. i started on guitar for a bit way back when...and failed, that and my instructor left me. thats when i went to bass and it clicked, i guess going from tuba i was just used to the low end.

right now im gasssing a squier affinity tele special in butterscotch blonde.

but my question:
is too late to go to the dark side and learn guitar?

anyone ever try to learn guitar after learning bass?
tips?
i know a lot of guitarists go to bass...but the other way around?

s_mcsleazy · #2 03-22-2010, 09:30 AM

i play guitar to help my song writing

i dont see why u shouldent lern guitar as a kinda side venture

it may really change your style

Gord_oh · #3 03-22-2010, 09:32 AM

i figured the same.
just curious if i can teach myself like i did bass...

TheDarkReaver · #4 03-22-2010, 09:33 AM

Go for it.

It'll probably help you with your chords too.

Gord_oh · #5 03-22-2010, 09:37 AM

i guess the reason for this post was to see if anyone else has done it this way.
bass-->guitar

PastorofMuppets · #6 03-22-2010, 09:40 AM

The darkside has cookies..

elavate7 · #7 03-22-2010, 09:42 AM

i played a little guitar before i went to bass. but if we find another bass player, i might switch back to guitar!

Gord_oh · #8 03-22-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elavate7

i played a little guitar before i went to bass. but if we find another bass player, i might switch back to guitar!

so you find yourself playing bass more?
that would probably be me as well.
i cant see myself playing guitar as much as bass,
but i would like to learn.

anyone a self taught guitarist?

idoker · #9 03-22-2010, 09:54 AM

I went from piano, to bass, and then some guitar.

Bass IS my instrument, but learning guitar has definitely helped my bass playing, and over all musicianship.

The more music knowledge you can accumulate, whether it be from learning different instruments, schooling, etc., will help you be a better, more well-rounded, and more knowledgeable musician.

So yes, venture into the "dark side" of the guitar. It will make you a better bassist in the long run.

MonetBass · #10 03-22-2010, 09:55 AM

Do it, absolutely. It can only make you a better musician.

That said, DON'T get the Affinity. My first new electric was a bottom-of-the-barrel Yamaha that I could never get to intonate properly (discovered the bridge was placed wrong). Plus I never liked the feel of the neck, and the electronics sucked. Pony up the extra $50 and get a standard Squier. You'll be happier in the end, I promise.

Gord_oh · #11 03-22-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Do it, absolutely. It can only make you a better musician.

That said, DON'T get the Affinity. My first new electric was a bottom-of-the-barrel Yamaha that I could never get to intonate properly (discovered the bridge was placed wrong). Plus I never liked the feel of the neck, and the electronics sucked. Pony up the extra $50 and get a standard Squier. You'll be happier in the end, I promise.

really?
ive seen good reviews on the affinity tele...
hmmm...
id love to try them out side by side but i cant play guitar worth sh*t.

paulygonemad · #12 03-22-2010, 11:03 AM

I picked up guitar after bass. It really helps me write songs.
You could perhaps find a cheap guitar in your local pawn shop. I see them all the time when I go trolling for pedals and scored a squire strat on the cheap.

Gord_oh · #13 03-22-2010, 01:38 PM

ok.
so since they have cookies and all,
i think im gonna buy a guitar and see how things go...
mwhahahahaha....something something something darkside....

dmq89 · #14 03-22-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idoker

I went from piano, to bass, and then some guitar.

Bass IS my instrument, but learning guitar has definitely helped my bass playing, and over all musicianship.

The more music knowledge you can accumulate, whether it be from learning different instruments, schooling, etc., will help you be a better, more well-rounded, and more knowledgeable musician.

So yes, venture into the "dark side" of the guitar. It will make you a better bassist in the long run.

+1

Playing guitar for a number of years made me a WAY better bassist - taught me to use my pinky!

Gord_oh · #15 03-22-2010, 01:41 PM

well once taxes come back and things that need to be paid on are done im picking up a tele.

Thankful birds · #16 03-22-2010, 01:41 PM

Agreed- learning guitar is a great way to learn about chords and harmony playing. It also helps you to know what your guitarist is playing. I still play bass in a band, but after 17 years of playing bas, fo rth first time in my life I'm primarily a guitarist. I love both.

CapnSev · #17 03-22-2010, 01:48 PM

I learned guitar about 6 years into my bass playing, and I think it has helped me tremendously. I consider myself good enough at guitar to be able to know my way around it on most songs (with the exception of metal maybe), and I know enough now to hold my own as a good rhythm player, and an ok lead.

I also know enough to know when a guitard is playing something wrong.

Gord_oh · #18 03-22-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I learned guitar about 6 years into my bass playing, and I think it has helped me tremendously. I consider myself good enough at guitar to be able to know my way around it on most songs (with the exception of metal maybe), and I know enough now to hold my own as a good rhythm player, and an ok lead.

I also know enough to know when a guitard is playing something wrong.

this is the story i was looking for.
a friend of a friend was a bass player and picked up guitar.
after two months he is lead in their band...
thanks for sharing CapnSev...

FromTheBassMent · #19 03-22-2010, 01:54 PM

Yes, learn guitar to help with your understanding of chord structures. It will improve your bass playing (plus, despite all of the talk about "guitards" around here, guitar is a blast to play).

Then, learn African or Cuban hand-drumming to help with your understanding of rhythm. It will improve your bass playing enormously.

blendermassacre · #20 03-22-2010, 01:55 PM

I would look for a used vintage modified tele. They're pretty awesome, imo. I stopped playing guitar because of limited $$ to go towards bass stuff. I would eventually like to get back into it, though. Its a lot cheaper to dabble at guitar and have decent stuff than it is with bass, also, imo.