should i learn guitar before bass?
 

i want to pick up an instrument.

You can start in either place.
Just decide whether you want to be a guitarist or a bassist and try to be the best on your chosen instrument. Lots of great guitarists are crappy bass players. Knowing the notes on the neck is only a tiny part of being a good instrumentalist.
Good bass players are extremely valuable to a band. It's not a glory instrument (and when people make it into one the results are usually horrible), but it is SO important.
Just decide which way to go, and go all the way.
And remember, just because the bass only has four strings doesn't mean it's any "easier" to learn and play well. It just happens to have four strings.

When you play bass, all you really need is a drummer to get down. Guitar needs both the drums and bass to usually make sense.

Plus, I'd rather down to the foundation of the song to have a real gut connection with it instead of just playing on top of it with the guitar.

okay, thanks :)

i really like bass. i'm going to learn soon...

Bass is a lot of fun, but there are merits to learning both.

I used to play bass but decided last year to learn guitar, which I've found extremely difficult. They really are two VERY different instruments.

To me I think if you've got a good sense of rhythm you can play any basic bass stuff. I'd start with guitar, but that's becuz I play it.

hmm it may be easier to change from guitar to bass if you dislike guitar. but bass is cool.

i say, go with both.

Both are great instruments to learn and play, and both take years to master. I've played both on and of since I was 18, and still haven't got the hang of 'em yet, but nonetheless enjoy bashing around on them a lot.

A good bassist will have to know what chords a guitarist is playing when jamming, so you at least have to have a basic understanding of how to play a guitar to be a good bass player.

Weeks ago I saw my next door neighbor playing guitar in his shed to a blues song at 9 in the morning. I think he's in his late 60's or early 70's. Weeks later I had a dream he was a real rock star. A rather raunchy rock star [in reality he's a church-going dude who sits on his porch nearly everyday - chillin'].

I have a feeling I'd be a great guitarist. I should learn how to play one too. What the fuck is getting in the way of me doing this?

yeah, learn guitar properly (unlike me) and bass will fall into place in time. it did with me and im at a very sub magikmarker level of guitar technical ability....

i'm sorry!
i thought i gave you positive rep!

Grey rep is neutral; it's just because you have less than 50 posts.
After that, your positive rep turns green.

I love playing a bass, but you'll have to learn guitar separately.

Ha, I was wondering why it was grey. Nevemind then.