Should I get bass lessons or buy a new bass?

[Mrdudeacough]

I dont have a bass right now, and I owned one a year ago, but I had no time at all to use it so I ended up selling it. Now I want to seriously learn this time. Should I not buy a bass and take lessons and the music store, or should I buy a musicman stingray and learn by using online tabs and playing songs? I want to get really good. When I had my bass I could learn songs off tabs, but I didnt really know anything about the bass except memorizing which frets to play.

[SolarMan]

I think you need both -

If you take lessons, you need to practice / if you don't own a bass you can't practice

If you buy a bass and don't take lessons, chances are lower for you to "get really good"

[SolarMan]

I think you need both-

If you take lessons, you need to practice / you can't practice without a bass

If you buy a bass and don't take lessons, chances are lower for you to "get really good"

[carlos840]

Dont spend all your money on a ray!

Buy something decent used, get a few lessons, learn loads of songs (dont use tabs! Use your ears and if need be double check with tabs!) and start playing with other people asap!

[panda bass]

Take lessons. They will help you more then you think!

[jacojbass]

LESSONS....

[ejaggers]

Both. Buy a bass and take lessons.

[jedw]

Teach yourself, but don't buy a stingray, buy a cheaper bass.

Once you get going get some "advanced" lessons if you feel you cant make further progress yourself.

[mgauge]

buy the ray, its the only and the best instrument i play and it was my 3rd bass.. Just my opinion...

Also, I think a great instrument is a great influence..

[funk generator]

buy the book bass playing for dummies. Its actually very helpful.
Edit: lessons are very helpful aswell IF your teacher is good.
As for the bass, check out the classifieds here. Youll find great deals on rays, or maybe find something you like more

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by Mrdudeacough

...
When I had my bass I could learn songs off tabs, but I didn't really know anything about the bass except memorizing which frets to play.

That's a very easy way to get started playing songs, but that's not learning to play bass. I know - I did it for a long time. I hoped that would change once I started taking lessons and it didn't, at least not at first. I finally figured out that my teacher could play guitar really well, play bass passably, but really didn't know how to teach it because he didn't have much of a background in MUSIC. I found another teacher - with my first teacher's help, by the way - and that made a huge difference. My current teacher's goal is to make me a better MUSICIAN and he has the playing skills, teaching ability, music background, and the desire to do that.

If you're talking about taking lessons or buying a Stingray, I'd suggest buying a reasonably priced, playable bass (maybe a Squier VM or an SX, or buy used in the classifieds here on TB), finding a teacher who will help you really learn the instrument rather than just taking your money to show you where to put your fingers, and then spending the rest of your money on lessons. There are a lot of teachers out there who teach that way (teaching you to play a song by tellign you where to put your fingers) so don't be afraid to interview teachers and tell them what you want out of your lessons. If they can't give you what you want, try someone else. The right teacher is well worth that extra effort.

[msb]

A good teacher can save you a lot of grief and get you on the way with a good foundation . Some of the cheaper instruments are actually pretty good these days ( something that wasn't always true )

If you find yourself doing well with the lessons and enjoying the bass you can always find a Stingray ...

[spade2you]

Get lessons sooner than later. The longer you go without, it'll take longer to unlearn certain habits and longer to learn the good ones.

[seungkoo]

Buy a fodera

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by seungkoo

Buy a fodera

No way, SX basses are $11 and way better than a Fedora.

[Papa Dangerous]

SX basses are 11 bucks? Can I get two?

Get a cheaper bass. Your idea of a Ray seems like it is reflected off of others how speak/use it then entirely your own judgment. No offense in any way. Just saying because you had a bass a year ago, didn't really play it, and you say you do not know much about bass. So I assume there are a lot of other basses out there they may better fit to your liking, or at least there is something at a cheaper price that you may like.

Can never really go wrong with a Fender P or J. Many people like Ibanez. Get a Dillion wanna be Rick and at least look like you have expensive equipment...

[mazareth]

+1 to lessons and a reasonably priced bass. Tons of great used stuff in the Classifieds here on TB.

[sloppy_phil]

Another +1 to lessons and reasonably priced bass.

And a definite +1,000,000 to make sure that your teacher is actually good. And just because they can play sweet riffs, it does not mean they are good to teach you

[steve f]

Highly recommend lessons. You can practice as much as you want and anything you want in your spare time but a good teacher will take you places you may or may not find on your own. So I suggest lessons and the best bass you can afford - look for something used on our forum.

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by sloppy_phil

And a definite +1,000,000 to make sure that your teacher is actually good. And just because they can play sweet riffs, it does not mean they are good to teach you

Most definitely.