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should I go to the dark side?

#21
I also taught myself guitar after playing bass for a couple of years. I started out slow on Smells Like Teen Spirit (gimme a break it was 1993!), but I quickly realized that I could translate the simple bass parts into simple guitar parts, and I progressed from there (I'm still crappy). +1 to helping with songwriting, structure...knowing and understanding the guitar parts help me write the bass parts.

Like what Capn said--I'll never shred, but I played rhythm in a couple of bands, and guitar is really fun to play!

I relate it to being a carpenter--when I started out, I didn't know a thing. When I started doing demolition and hanging drywall, it helped me become a better framer. When I learned how to tape, it made me a better drywaller. When I started doing finish carpentry, it made my taping better. It's all interconnected!
 
#22
ok, so i looked around to upgrade from the squier affinity i was originally thinking about getting.
i found a used fender mexi strat at my local guitar center.
black, white PG, maple neck.
$229.99
playable, buckle rash, some wear...nice shape for the most part.

hmmm....im going to see it when i get out of work. i guess he has another one in a bit better condition for $279, but we will see.

im thinking im gonna get it.
 
#25
got a hold on a mexi fender strat.
its sitting at GC with my name on it...
along with a mexi jazz...coughcough...
im thinning the herd to make room though.

thanks for all the words of wisdom.
im glad to hear some people have been in the same situation.
 
#26
Absolutely, learning a different instrument helps you to become a better, more well-rounded musician. You can do it.....after all, more people learn to play guitar than bass so how hard can it be. :D

In fact I am also working on my guitar skills as one of my personal goals for this year. I have an electri guitar that I've owned for a couple of years but haven't devoted any serious effort towards it. I decided to change that this year and have picked up a few books. My progress has been slow but I'm plunking along. My goal is to be able to play well enough by years end to perform at least some simple rock songs without making a fool of myself.

Everyone needs a challenge.
 
#27
Gord_oh, MIMs are good also Peavey Predators and others of their guitars are good, solid instruments and can often be picked up for very little $$. Rondo music's Agile line is good too. I have an Agile AL-2500 (Les Paul style) but they make Fender style instruments too. And to be honest, if the SX guitars are as good as the SX bass I just bought then that is a great, low cost option as well.
 
#31
this is what ill be getting:
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its an older model though, i think this pic may be an MIA.
its in rough shape, but i like a project.
not to fancy, but i always thought my first real fender would be a bass.
although they are holding a midnight wine red mim jazz for me as well.
 
#32
ive never had to buy a guitar, i know my prices for basses and resale prices of them.
is $229 for a decent shaped mim fender strat an ok deal?
it has some road wear, but from what ive been seeing on ebay and such im not getting ripped off.

the jazz im eyeballing is $249.
the frets need to be cleaned...badly. looks rusty. other than that its in awesome shape.
 
#33
I got some mad idea a few years back that I had to have a Vintage 52 Telecaster re-issue, so I had to go and sell my bass in order to be able to afford one (lol) I'd been playing bass for something like 25 years uptil then.
I then had a year off without any bass only guitar (s) and now I'm happy to report I sold off the Tele and have now bought myself another bass and am more motivated now than ever to practice and try learn some new things.

So for me trying to get stuck (only) into guitar... got me back on the right path with bass again.

I still have an electric and accoustic guitar to jam on, but the Bass is back!!
(who's to say you can't enjoy more than one instrument)
 
#34
i pulled the trigger on my first 6 string guitar.
nothing fancy, but it was more comfortable than that strat was...
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pic isnt mine, but its the same one.

squier vintage modified telecaster custom.
the p-90s in this are awesome, i like it a lot.
 
#37
I started playing bass in the mid 70s, and took up guitar several years later after being completely mesmerized by Duane Allman's playing. I found that lead playing came fairly easily, but good rhythm playing took more time. I'm glad I took up guitar, but watch out--guitar is a cruel mistress. If you think you can blow $$ on bass gear, just wait until the guitar bug hits. Just check out The Gear Page for new ways to say goodbye to your money!

I recently have gone back to playing bass on a regular basis. I was bandmates the TB's late great moderator Chris A for years. After he passed, I stayed on guitar but filled in on bass occasionally. Now, I'm doing the regular bass chores and filling in on guitar for bigger events.

I had always felt like an incomplete musician by not knowing at least some guitar. I'd say that playing both is a good thing for expanding your musical knowledge.
 
#38
Enjoy the Tele! One of my favorite guitars. I have a MIM Tele standard actually.

I picked up guitar after bass. I really wanted to play bass more, and I loved it, but playing bass peaked my interest in learning guitar. Glad I did, cause beside being a ton of fun, as others have said it does help in the song writing process. I've been in bands as both guitarist and bassist, and in the most recent band I was in, switched between both (and drums for a few songs...which was my original instrument. I'm my own band!), and for a while I thought guitar was my focus and I spent more time playing that than bass. But then I started to get a little bored with guitar, and put all my effort back with bass. Haven't looked back. I still enjoy playing guitar now and again for fun, but my #1 focus is bass by this point.
 

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