Originally Posted by: jimmy_kwtxGo for it. It will not hurt you in any way. If anything it will help you play better IMO.

You'll gain a better understanding of rhythm and how a bass and drums work together to create the all important back beat.

Totally true!! I just got a bass three weeks ago and it has really improved my understanding or music theory and even my fingerstyle playing is so much better. Fascinating how just learning to play the roots forces you to actually think about the chord progression and try to "hear" whats going to come next in the song. It even improves your lead playing on guitar. I say go for it :) get a bass.