bassist asked to switch to guitar....what should I do???

[matskull]

Hi, I've been playing bass in my band for around one and a half year, we changed the guitarist/singer for another guitarist and I now sing. I really like playing bass in a band, I like to keep the beat and all, it's a good mix between drum and guitar, rythym and melody, I like that the strings are bigger and you can feel them better than on a guitar.

I've played guitar for 13 years and bass for a couple years now. My guitarist asked me if I'd like to switch to guitar cause he thinks I'm amazing and he think it'd be better to have a guitarist/singer rather than a bassist/singer......
I was planning on getting a new all tube bass amp and I invested money on my bass rig for that band cause I like playing bass. The only thing about guitar I like more is that you can hide behind distortion, know what I mean. I move a lot so sometime it could be helpful.
My other guitarist is an ex bassist so he could replace me on the bass but I don't think his playing is good for our style, he's better for punk metal stuff, I'm better at rock alternative grunge..... My parts are simple but I pick hard and even on the strings, I keep the beat, I think I understand the instrument better than he does but I can rock the place on a guitar too so......I'm confused.
What do you guys think about that?
Should I play guitar cause I'm good at it and cause it's more normal to see a guitarist sing than a bassist....or should I say **** it and stay with the bass?
What do you think of a bassist/singer compared to guitarist/singer?

I really need some opinions, thanks.

[Wespe]

Geddy Lee, Les Claypool, Phil Lynnott, Lemmy Kilmister, Jack Bruce, ...

The cards are in your favor, man. I say play bass and sing. I mean if you guys really wanted to, you could just trade for different songs here and there. You said you both have different styles, that could be advantageous to the band if you're both skilled with guitar and bass.

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Wespe

Geddy Lee, Les Claypool, Phil Lynnott, Lemmy Kilmister, Jack Bruce, ...

The cards are in your favor, man. I say play bass and sing. I mean if you guys really wanted to, you could just trade for different songs here and there. You said you both have different styles, that could be advantageous to the band if you're both skilled with guitar and bass.

What he said.

lowsound

[Skeletomania]

Does it really matter, besides how many people can tell a difference between a bass and a guitar.

[meev991]

I was asked by a band, to play guitar for them.

Although I'm proficient at both, Bass is my passion. For your case it sounds like they respect your abilities at guitar, which is different than your band saying "Hey you, play guitar for us, just because we need one"

why not split the difference, and get a Guitar+bass ???

[AxtoOx]

I don't think it makes a difference if you play guitar and sing or bass.
What makes you happiest? What's best for the band? Often they are the same thing.
I play bass in the band I'm in. I have a big Aguilar rig, but I also have a full Marshall stack. 7 basses, 10 guitars. I'll do either, but I like being the bassist best. I'll never give up the guitar or bass, but at my age, I'll let the younger guys be the front man. Use my guitar for writing and helping the guitarist. ( I've been playing a lot longer. Wisdom comes along w/ age.) Who knows what the future will bring.
BTW, I hate singing.

[Basshappi]

The solution:

[nad]

Give up music and become an accountant, that's where all the women/fame is.

[Count Bassie]

Sounds like the occasional switch might be happening. I'm starting a rock band with a guitar player who plays bass also. I'd have to get a guitar, since I don't own one (there's dedication for ye), but I could do it. And it might be fun.

It's refreshing to change something up once in a while. But I'll never turn from the bass. I have to play the bass. Understand!?

[meev991]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

The solution:

or, you know, an excuse to get a ridiculously nice instrument

[Count Bassie]

I do like Basshappi's solution. Neat! I'd switch for one of those.

A Ric-diculously nice instrument... (yeah... sorry ).

[knarleybass]

I will play guitar.

[meev991]

Originally Posted by Count Bassie

I do like Basshappi's solution. Neat! I'd switch for one of those.

A Ric-diculously nice instrument... (yeah... sorry ).

after that, you have to get two, really big amps

LOL great joke btw

[matskull]

Thanks guys, I think you're right when you say that it doesn't matter if I play bass or guitar while I sing.
I'm the one who writes all the songs, normally on guitar. I think the best solution will be to swich every now and then.
If we do a show acc I might feel better playing guitar than bass, or if they want me to play some stuff they can't play on the guitar then I might switch for that song but I think I love to play bass to much to switch completely.
Thanks guys.

[matskull]

oh and yeah that guitar/bass thing is huge!!! lol
Do you plug in in two different amps???

[funkysurfer]

Quiters never win!

[tycobb73]

Originally Posted by nad

Give up music and become an accountant, that's where all the women/fame is.

As an accountant, I take offense to that.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I don't think it makes a difference if you play guitar and sing or bass.

I'll have to disagree there, maybe its just me and things now working for me, but i can play guitar and "sing", but i cant play bass and "sing" (I say "sing" because thats a loose term ), I can play rythmn guitar as well as i can bass, but i need to concentrate more on bass, maybe im more focused on my technique when playing bass? Either way, singing and playing bass doesnt work for me, but i dare say practice would sort that!

[meev991]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

As an accountant, I take offense to that.

not enough fame in the accounting world

[meev991]

Originally Posted by matskull

oh and yeah that guitar/bass thing is huge!!! lol
Do you plug in in two different amps???

nope, u plug it into six