I've been drumming for 35 years now.

Got a wild hair up my ass to learn bass.

The singe/bassist in my band, who also can play drums thought it would be fun to switch places on gigs.

Looking at bass guitars, I think I'd like a jazz bass.

I don't want something to spendy, but not low end beginner either.

Any recommendations?

Also looking at good study material.

Thanks

Actually, you can find some decent basses for pretty damn cheap if you look around for a used one.

I have a Peavey Milestone V that I picked up for $120. It's not top of the line by any means, but it plays nice and sounds good for what I paid for it. And the bass that my old band uses is a '90s import Washburn with Washburn branded active pickups. Again, not top of the line, but pretty good for what it cost (can't remember what my drummer paid for it, but it wasn't much).

Those are just a couple examples. Hit the pawn shops & Craigslist and see what you can find.

I am old school..Fender P bass or go home.

Close.

Found a good deal on a Fender Geddy Lee jazz bass.


Now, any suggestions on learning materials?

Learn some Rush! Here you go!

Switching off is always a crowd pleaser.  My brothers can both sing/play drums and they'll switch off from time to time in their band (mid-song yeah!).





I have zero bass experience, but if I was going to buy one, and I've been tempted from time to time, I'd buy a Chapman MLB-1.  You get the combination of having something almost no one else has combined with the quality stuff those little old Korean ladies are making.  I don't know if you want to spend $750 for the novelty, though.  There are probably really good, cheaper options that the bass players here could offer up.





I have one of their guitars (ML-2) and it is fantastic.  I'm a rank beginner guitar player and don't have many guitars to compare it to (2013 Gibson SGJ, made in America, and an Ibanez S520, made in Malaysia I think) but it is as good or better than either of them, especially the fretwork.  You run your hand up the side of the neck and you wouldn't even know there were frets there if you weren't looking at them.







 

Here she is:

You done good...

 

Congrats!

Nice, here's mine, a Washburn XB100(cheapo but plays good, I'm still kinda new but am learning and playing a bunch of full songs already)