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Got what I needed. Thanks all.

#21
When I first started as a guitar player (20+ yrs ago), I based my judgement upon looks. It took 4+yrs (and another 3 guitars in the meanwhile) to take the word of a guitar-repairman to acquire my ESP 901 (that I still own and treasure). It took another 7yrs to realize how great this guitar is and only this year I hit home by realizing that this one (along with another two guitars) is one of the BEST guitars really (for myself as well as for other players too; I have access to some 50+ high end and boutique guitars to compare head to head). Now I don't care about looks, I care about tone. I was by far faster in bass. I started out on a great bass and only went forward, not caring about looks, only for tone.

The moral of the story, IMHO, is that this specific bass is the reason why you are picking up the bass (as an instrument) go ahead, but rest assured that in few years your needs and desires will grow to a different direction
 
#24

I think something is being missed: The question restated is, I'm $100 short of being able to buy a bass I really would like but should I take that $100 to buy lessons instead?

If lessons are $100 a month, then $100 would buy lessons for exactly one month. Do you intend to continue lessons past one month? Then you're going to need to be able to pay $100 a month for however many months you are taking lessons. Right?

If that is not a problem, then I would say, take the next $100 that you get, put it with the money you already have, and buy the bass you want. Then, starting with the next month, start paying the $100 a month for lessons.

In such a case, what it amounts to is delaying the start of lessons by one month.

Or did I miss something?


ETA: The issue of buying a bass based on looks; whether he should get an amp; etc. are all valid points - I was only addressing this one notion that it was a complete either/or proposition.


 
#27
well it really depends... I've wanted to take lessons for a long time, had a few lessons, quit, had another few, quit, had another few... just gave up on it... had 2 different teachers, both great players and they even motivated me... but the obligatory practice really isn't for me... I hate practice, I pick up a bass when I want to and play what I feel like(good song on the radio for example)...

same with piano, I really want to learn how to, bought all the books... still can't play, yeah maybe 3 chords... but I do know where every note is:P well it's a start... :rolleyes:

but besides that I highly doubt that you'll be a metalhead for ever... trust me: you'll start listening to other styles and you'll end up enjoying them... yeah sure metal will be your main thing, but you'll probably end up listening to loads of different things... which is a really good thing and will make you a better musician in the end...
 
#29
Getting a bass that so limits you is rarely a good idea.

The reason is this: if you ever try to play anything but metal on that thing (read - ANYTHING but metal; even hard rock) nobody's going to take you seriously. They'll think you're goofing around.

I used to think metal was my thing, it was all I listened to. But you grow, your tastes change, and you won't want to be tied down to metal when that happens. No matter how much of a 'metalhead' you think you are now, 3 years could have you turned around 180 degrees into a dedicated jazz player, GASing for an upright above all other material things. Now, you wouldn't want to be stuck with that bass then would you?

You can buy whatever bass you want (or go with lessons if you want, I see nothing wrong with being self taught), but you can play metal on whatever you want. Dare to be different, play something audiences wouldn't expect you to play. Or buy that bass and see where it takes you. You might take off with some amazing metal band and not regret your purchase for a second. Do what you want.
 
#30
Lasernoob,

Best thing to do - if you have all the info you need - is thank everyone for their help and close the thread. Personally, I think there is some very sound advice here, and asking people to "let it die" infers that their is input is/was not welcome. I'm not saying that you feel that way, I'm just saying that someone else reading the thread might. This place is a great resource and you certainly don't want to turn folks who can be very helpful away from your posts because there is a great deal to be learned here.

Don't want to slag you either - you were smart enough to come here and ask for advice in a pretty intelligent way. Just a thought for you is all. By the way, go with the lessons, especially if you have found a good teacher. Many of us older folk have been where you are now, and thought that new bass is awfully tempting, ask many of us who made that mistake already what we'd do if we could do it again.

Mind you, there lots here who would tell you to take the lessons and buy the new bass themselves, 'cuz new toys are cool. :hmm:

Guilty as charged. :help:
 

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