Poll: Electric Guitar vs Bass guitar

[LightningBanks]

Im starting to beomce a little musical over the past few months, and Im looking to purchase a guitar. But Im having a hard time choosing between Electric and bass.

Ive played both and enjoy both, so Im asking my fellow escapees, which should I get?

You dont necessarily have to have one to post, but please no 'I prefer this one just because I do' answers

Im not necessarily trying to make money out of it, nor join a band and becomne really famous. BUT I may want to join a band in the future, or go further into the genre.

 

[gl1koz3]

Electric. More sound freedom.

 

[necromanzer52]

I love bass but it's really not as fun if you aren't playing with a band whereas guitar you can play on your own. So if you have friends who you can play with get a bass. If not go with guitar.

 

[bak00777]

i play accoustic and electric guitar, but i want to learn Bass, it just seeems so cool.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Well it depends on the size of your ego. People who aren't giant asshats play bass.

I'm kidding.

I play both actually, and if you really want to join a band I say bass because bassists are in shorter supply generally. I tend to find playing bass is more satisfying, but writing things on the guitar is easier and probably better. Also, picking up the bass is easier, but I think once you start learning more technical stuff (like funk and jazz) it can get much harder than most guitar parts, not that guitar is easy by any stretch. I just think the 'bass is easy' thing is a myth.

 

[Sarkule]

I reckon Acoustic is the nicest, it's such a lovely sound.
Also I don't think you can really do Electric vs. Bass because bass isn't really something that you can play solo, it's more something that accompanies electric guitar, but is still amazing in its own right.

 

[TheTaco007]

I'm going with electric because there's more stuff to do/learn, but then again, I play electric, so I'm biased.

 

[Outright Villainy]

I love bass but it's really not as fun if you aren't playing with a band whereas guitar you can play on your own. So if you have friends who you can play with get a bass. If not go with guitar.

That's some pretty solid advice. Playing bass in a band is a hell of a lot of fun, and it has great synergy with drums. Guitar is a lot more fun on your own though. You can always pick up bass after too, that's what I did. You'll be at a relatively good starting point, nowhere near as much frustration as first time 'round.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Electric is the only way you'll play a Les Paul.

But Gibsons are overpriced, poor quality slabs. The modern ones at least, they've gone downhill. In any case, there's a Les Paul bass. It's ugly as sin though.

 

[Jesus Phish]

Both.

Why restrict yourself to just one instrument?

If you're starting off, I'd actually say bass, for two primary reasons.

Bass is great for learning rythme and scales, which will transfer over to electric guitars. As well as that, everyone and their brother plays a guitar. If you want to join a band and have some fun in that, you'll have better chances/more options as a bass player.

 

[2xDouble]

Electric has tons of options, but I always recommend starting out on acoustic. Learn to play before you start playing around with options. Once you can play guitar, Bass is much simpler. It's similar technique but with slightly different grip.

There's no rule that says you can't do both lead and bass.

Re-read the OP EDIT: you should buy a bass. Bass players are far rarer than lead guitarists, and every band needs one. You would have far greater opportunities with it, if you can stand being mostly out of the spotlight.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Electric is the only way you'll play a Les Paul.

But Gibsons are overpriced, poor quality slabs. The modern ones at least, they've gone downhill. In any case, there's a Les Paul bass. It's ugly as sin though.

I call them LP from any brand. I have a Canadian Prestige Heritage Standard, look it up, it's pretty cool for the price.

I agree with you, though, the only Gibson worth buying is the Flying V, cool guitar at a fair price.

Fair enough, fair enough. It's just that lots of people get a Gibson LP for the image, when there are guitars half the price that beat it to Jupiter.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Acoustic....it sounds better when writing a song

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Honestly, if you want to get into a band, play bass. Because fewer people do, and you have more of a shot, even if you're only okay.

 

[LightspeedJack]

What? Is that even a question? Electric!

EDIT: Thinking about it, if you really want to get into a band, bass might be the way to go as very few people play or own a bass.

 

[SantoUno]

I'll have to agree with most people and say bass, simply because you'll get into it a lot easier than you would with an electric guitar, there is much more demand for bass players when looking for bands, and to the people you know you are more unique as a bass player simply because playing guitar is much more abundant than playing bass.

 

[Dr. Feelgood]

Bass. Groovy.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Both.

Why restrict yourself to just one instrument?

Monetary reasons?