So, I've technically played guitar for a long time (11 years), but I don't pick it up that often anymore. I just get bored after about 5 minutes of playing, and put it back down.

So, I'm considering switching to bass. I love rythym (i've always been more of a rhythm guitarist), and the more I think about it, the more I want to do it.

I figure I should probably start out cheap. Any suggestions on what to look for or avoid?

Also, is there anything wrong with using a guitar amp as a practice amp for bass? I know I won't get much in the way of low-end response, but is it worth investing in a cheap bass amp? I don't want to damage my guitar amp though (Marshall JCM 600).

Thanks.

Mexican-made fenders are a really safe, cheap bet. $250 or $350 new I think, and pretty solid. Play a few in a store and see how they grab you.

You won't hurt the amp at all as long as you stay low-volume, like "sitting around" volume vs "practicing with a drummer" volume, which could blow a speaker. Don't risk it above medium.

Thanks cap'n. I'm kinda leaning towards buying used, though. Does that change anything?

Actually, forget what I said about the guitar amp..... what's a good, relatively affordable bass amp?

The Ampeg RocketBass solid state is actually pretty reliable and gets almost loud enough for a full-band practice. I think they're around $500, but I'm not sure about that.

As to the instruments themselves, I would actually avoid getting anything too cheap if you plan to record with it anytime soon. We've run into *lots* of issues getting a good (consistent) bass sound out of those mexi-p-bass guitars. We ended up using so much compression just to get a balanced signal that the overall tone really lost out.

But maybe that's putting the cart before the horse.

Also, I default to anything Epa has to say about this, since he's the man and all.

KPH

EPA is, indeed, the man. I've had good luck with the cheaper fenders, even to the point of sometimes being disgusted by their nice-enoughness to cost factor. They're not perfect, but there isn't anywhere near the competition in the cheap bass market that there is in the cheap guitar market, so a lot of cheap basses are.... cheap. As in not worth buying, because they don't last, aren't fun to play, and sound like ass.

Used, depends on the budget. A lot of squirrelly companies have come up with good basses over the years, so if you knew your stuff, you could maybe score a good one somewhere, but it's hard to say if not. Used american P basses or jazz basses are always good choices. If you know someone around there who has lots of experience, take them with you to look at stuff, especially used stuff. And unless you knew exactly what you wanted, I wouldn't steer you towards a skewed model (something good for one style but not others), hence my fender recommendations.

Good used bass amps are hard to find cheap, really. Ask EPA on that one.

If you can get a used american fender, go for it. I'd take a washburn or a peavey or an ibanez over a mexi or squier p or j for a beginner. It's really 6 one, half dozen the other since none of them hold their value at all.

Play a bunch, see what's comfortable, see what sounds better in that price range. Yamaha makes some spanking basses in the 200-350 range.

In the $600-800 range (new) you can get a Fender, maybe a Warwick Corvette. In the $850-1200 range you can get an Ernie Ball or a Lakland Skyline (an incredible bass for the price, plays like a $2K bass).

Get a bass amp, you don't want to risk damage to the marshall. Check out the SWR Workingman's 12. Sweetwater has them for $500. It's a 120 watt with a 1x12 and a tweeter, and you can take a direct out to record or go through a p.a. It's not to big, but can handle a rock band as long as it isn't ridiculously loud.

I bought my little brother an Ibanez TR-500 Expressionist (looks like a Fender J) and i was totally impressed with it. Bought it used for $175, and it sounded better and played better than any bass I had that I paid up to $1000 for.

Good luck, keep us posted.