Thinking about switching over to bass

[Haiku Jimi]

I guess this is a question for you guys that play both guitar and bass (or just bass.)

I'm really starting to think that bass would be a better instrument for me. I've been playing guitar for 8 years now; and I really don't have incredibly agile fingers (never could pull off shredding)...I think my strength is more in a sense of rhythm/melody. I'm not implying that bass is easier or anything, but it seems like it would require finger strength, rhythm and melody as opposed to say lightning fast fingers (unless we're talking like Les Claypool or John Entwistle.) Jack Bruce is a great example of this I think. Fairly complex bass lines, great melody but nothing too flashy.

My only real concern is that bass is really no fun at all if you're playing by yourself. Guitar tends to fare better in that category. With bass, you pretty much have to find people to play with.

Any input from you guys that have made the switch to bass? Or just input in general in regard to the ups/downs of each instrument?

[VanHorneDog]

move to arizona play bass for my band, there you go. theres my imput. we are a dave matthews band knock off, go for it. why not its the type of music i like to play.

anyway, i got a bass recently to fool around with. its lots of fun, and yes you can play by yourself i you are good enough. nobody likes hear Em, Am D, Am over and over again (oh shit i need to rethink a couple of my songs) just like nobody likes to hear the same bass line over and over. so if you can add to it or something then it becomes interesting.

[jordanbball17]

I've noticed that the bass is more rewarding because it seems easier to make creative and unique riffs on the bass as opposed to the guitar. Maybe that's just my experience, but I always come away less frustrated after playing the bass then trying to come up with something on the guitar.

[whygohome?]

i love both. and bass is absolutely fun to play by yourself..if you know what you're doing.