Been playing guitar for about 1 year. Was over at a friends house last week...the 3 of us were jamming. I'm playing rythym...slaughtering chords....right and left...but having a blast none the less. After a short break...Mike and Louis start jamming...so I am standing there....wanting to join in....then I spied Louis's Fender bass. So I thought ....why not. So I pick it up...(heavy)...and quietly start to find some notes. I start playing a simple baseline I think might fit. Louis stops...and points out a I IV V for me to play. So I start to play...they join in......it was freakin EPIC. UH OH! You guys can figure out the rest. Off to GC to play some Bass...cause I have no idea whats out there. Been on the net...doing research. So now I need a bass...and I'm thinking a combo amp in the 30-60w range. Played a couple of Schecters then a bass player showed me an Ibanez GSR 200. Felt light...and more like a guitar. So I thought this forum would be a great place to begin my journey. Haven't pulled the trigger yet....still want to play as many as I can. I'm thinking something in the $300-500 range might get me a decent bass. Then there is the amp. Thought I could use my Vox VT 40...but after reading...I realize I will need a dedicated bass amp. So here I am.....the journey of a thousand miles...begins with the first step.