Guitar V.S. Bass

Well i've been playing guitar for two years now and i'm not bad or anything (4 hours of practice a day keeps the dead notes away) and I've realized that there are TONS of excellent guitars out there that are well known, but not so much with bassists especially in anything mainstream. I've been thinking about switching to bass but I dno yet, I could play both but I think i'd be better musically if I stayed on one or the other.

WHatcha gusys think?

Keep both in your arsenal...they arn't foreign instruments and the dexterty bass imparts can only help your guitar ability.You will also have a much easier time keeping up and recognizing guitar rhythms and appropriate lines to follow with bass.

Yeah,both are good.If you can afford a bass and guitar rig,then shoot for em'.If I had the means I would dedicate equal time to bass and drums,but that is mondo moolah right there(but then,I would always have a gig).

I need to rob a bank or something.

I have guitars and a bass. I play guitar mostly but I keep up with bass enough to be able to do most of the stuff I write. It's not really as bad to balance as you'd think. If anything, the change in instrument would help your playing and/or writing because it offers a different perception to work from.

I've always felt that my guitar playing reenforced my bass playing and vice-versa.

Even if you only spring for a decent playing el-cheapo four string and practice amp, I think you will be better off.

I want to eventually have in my arsenal
1 or more electric guitar(s) for playing crunch (les paul or something along those lines)
1 electric guitar for playing clean (strat probably)
1 bass guitar
1 steel string acoustic guitar
1 nylon string acoustic guitar

hey, I can dream can't I?

Originally Posted by: 6strngs_2hmbkrsI want to eventually have in my arsenal
1 or more electric guitar(s) for playing crunch (les paul or something along those lines)
1 electric guitar for playing clean (strat probably)
1 bass guitar
1 steel string acoustic guitar
1 nylon string acoustic guitar

hey, I can dream can't I?

It doesn't have to be dreaming you know.

Originally Posted by: RaskolnikovI've always felt that my guitar playing reenforced my bass playing and vice-versa.

Might that have anything to do with your using 12 guage strings on your guitar?

Originally Posted by: HammurabiMight that have anything to do with your using 12 guage strings on your guitar?

I use .012's so that I'll be able to play more than fifteen minutes without breaking a string.

A bass has bigger strings so that players with bad eyesight can be far away.
A bass has two less strings so it's easier for dumb people to learn.
A bass has less notes to learn so you can get into a band faster.

Originally Posted by: schmangeA bass has bigger strings so that players with bad eyesight can be far away.
A bass has two less strings so it's easier for dumb people to learn.
A bass has less notes to learn so you can get into a band faster.

That was why I chose to take up bass instead of guitar when I first got into music. About a year later I decided that guitar looked like more fun and look at me now. Still haven't been in a band though. You forgot to mention that a bass also has strings further apart though so people with bad accuracy won't hit the wrong string.

Originally Posted by: cayotic727I've realized that there are TONS of excellent guitars out there that are well known, but not so much with bassists especially in anything mainstream.

Besides Les Claypool, Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Geddy Lee, Mangus Rosen, Steve Harris, Stu Hamm, Willie Dixon, John Entwistle, Roger Waters, Noel Redding, and countless others, right?

Hey Jolly,quick question!

If the Ninja Turtles had a metal band,what would each turtle play?

Originally Posted by: chucklivesoninmyheartHey Jolly,quick question!

If the Ninja Turtles had a metal band,what would each turtle play?

donatello would totally play bass. michelanglo would play drums. leonardo on guitar. and rafael for vocals....

sorry... this was a question for jolly... I'll let him answer it himself...

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonBesides Les Claypool, Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Geddy Lee, Mangus Rosen, Steve Harris, Stu Hamm, Willie Dixon, John Entwistle, Roger Waters, Noel Redding, and countless others, right?

Exactly, there are tons of super popular bassists

And, leonardo would never play guitar, he doesn't have the attention span. though he loves to be in the spotlight, so he would be on vocals. rafael is to shy to play vocals, he would play guitar

Originally Posted by: chucklivesoninmyheartIf the Ninja Turtles had a metal band,what would each turtle play?

Donnie would totally be on bass, Michelango on drums (he's a party dude!), Leo on Vocals, and Raphael on guitar.

I used to play 6stg exclusivly and thought this was going to be my ticket to stardom. Wrong!! Learning to play bass and sing has proven to be much more lucrative. I play in two bands usually 4 nites a week and have to turn gigs down. It's much easier to play bass but the bass part is very important to the overal sound in the band. Just listen when the bass drops out during a song. Many times the rhythm challenged 6strngs lose the thread of the song and resort to lame wankin. Drums and bass lay down the groove and with out it you aint got nuttin but noise. I get ragged on plenty for being the bass player; so when I threaten to quit it's like no...no...no...we was only jokin. Playin bass is like making love while playing lead guitar is like workin at a job where everybody is lookin for your mistakes. Rock and Roll is not a competition sport. ITS ART !! Peace my brothers!!

I've always liked bass myself. I've always liked the power it adds to a song. Like Ake put it, if there was no bass, music would be a lot weaker.

Originally Posted by: schmangeA bass has bigger strings so that players with bad eyesight can be far away.
A bass has two less strings so it's easier for dumb people to learn.
A bass has less notes to learn so you can get into a band faster.

rofl! :p I don't think many bassplayers like that comment ;) and the rest Ake already said :cool:

Originally Posted by: akePlayin bass is like making love while playing lead guitar is like workin at a job where everybody is lookin for your mistakes.

Maybe I should take up bass full time? :p

no but, lead guitar is work but I bet the rewards of a good show outweigh everything else combined.

when you are at home, playing by yourself... bass has got to be no fun... cause 90% of the time in songs they just play a few notes... so... how would that be more entertaining then playing a blazing fast lead on a guitar?