In another thread I mentioned that I got poor marks in "plays well with others". I meant that in terms of my ability to join in guitar picking with other pickers. I am just a bit too slow, I suppose. But I really like the idea of being able to play SOMETHING along with other people. I have a really good ear for bass lines. I plan to try to play along with whoever will have me: folk, bluegrass or oldtime mostly. I am a lover of things made of wood and although I have had electrified instruments in the past, I would not be interested in an electric bass. And, although the bass guitars have a nice sound, they certainly don't have the throat of a good stand-up bass.

Thanks for all the great info above. I am sure that my finances could only justify the purchase of a plywood body bass although the beauty of a brand new, fine wood instrument would be nice to dream about.

And Spaw, I have an old Heddon Cobra Minnow which still catches most of the big ones along with a silver Rapala solid body. And if all else fails, I break out my father's black Hula-popper. And you are right, they don't sing, but if you squeeze them just right, you can get a nice croak out of them.