TimJ

Thanks all. I do agree that it's impossible just to buy any kind of instrument (bass, guitar, whatever) and just expect it to magically sound like <insert fave player>, I know that the choice of instrument is only one factor. Obviously until I can play proper bass (i.e. think like a bass player in terms of locking into the rhythm rather than my previous 6-string life widdling all over the place) then the precise gear details are a moot point anyway - I really just wanted to establish a fair starting point. I think I am veering slightly towards a P/J hybrid at the moment.

Hi all, I am a (whisper it) 6-string player wanting to learn how to learn proper bass. However, being from the lead guitar side of the equation I am incredibly superficial and only want to learn the fun stuff. Which to me is funk bass and Motown. It seems to me that a lot of great bassists that I'm interested in (Prestia/Wooten/Graham /Verdine White) play J-style basses. Is this the best place to start? I'm looking for a bass in the 4-500 quid range. One bass I saw with decent reviews was a Yamaha: [url="http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/bass/yamaha-trbx504-589283"]http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/bass/yamaha-trbx504-589283[/url] which seems good but maybe humbuckers are more rock than funk, from a bass perspective? I don't know. Whilst I get it that, like with 6-string guitar, you can probably play any style of music with any style of instrument to an extent, I'd like to get as close to a decent starting point as possible. Anyway, any opinions gratefully received.