Gretsch bass for new player?

Question

hi, ive been playing guitar for about 4 years now, and i am thinking about picking up bass. my options are limited to whats in my local guitar center. they have a good selection, but pretty expensive. i found a really nice one today, the Gretsch Electromatic Bass:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000ANJQMK.01-A2S7LX3369EFN5._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

its $250, which is about 50 more than i wanted to spend on a first bass, but i hear good things about this bass and im really liking it. then i have to buy the bass amp also, which i could prob get for like 90. all in all, about $350. is this alittle much for a first bass? and is this bass worth it?

oh one more thing, if i plug headphones into my guitar amp and play the bass on it, it wouldnt damage anything right?

Answer 1

its a great bass, but it has a very traditional sound. wont cut it for punk and new rock music. but its not too much for your first bass. i spent about 600 in the first 4 months of playing guitar. 300 for the guitar and 0 300 for the amp... if you put headphones in the amp and play you wont damage anything at all. but it will sound really bad