for an electric bass, do you NEED an amp RIGHT AWAY?!?

Question

okay, so i finally convince my mom to let me get an electric bass guitar NOW versus later, as long as i pay her back from it...BUT then she brought up a good issue, and as ive had a major brain-fart, i dont know the answer-->she said 'but since its an electric, dont you need an amp or no sound can come out at all?'
dunno...
also, i know i'll need one eventually, but i mean for NOW, like if im just practicing...
oh, and if i DO need one, (and even if i dont, i will eventually and all that crap) any recomendations? (and for bass guitars, too...)

Answer 1

You will need an amp. There is a sound without it, but it's not the real sound of the notes. You can only get the real sound when the vibration is picked up and reproduced through the amp. If you practice without the sound, you will be disappointed when you later get an amp and realize it sounds really terrible. Learning to play involves being able to HEAR the sounds you are producing--that's an important part of the learning process.

Another option is to get an acoustic bass for learning, then switch to an electric instrument later. Acoustic basses do not need to be plugged in and you get the true sound of the notes when you play it. It's also harder to play; you need more finger strength.