Get on Craigslist and pick up a Fender bass for about $100. Spend a few $$ on new strings, pick up a cheap amp and you are off.

I bought a Fender Jazz bass with an amp from a co-worker of mine that needed money for $125. It was a right handed bass (I'm left handed) and sound pretty good, but just even traded it for a Fender Squire left handed bass that sounds even better.

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Hell, here's a few for referance:
bass guitar 4 string ibanez

Fender Squier Bass guitar and Amp

 

Yea, my sources say Fender of Ibanez. It just depends on how serious you think you're gonna be as to how much $ to fork over. If you're serious about it get a nice one, that way if you loose interest; you can sell it and get something back. If you're just farting around, buy a used or cheapy to dink around with.

 

my music genius buddy plays a fender, it's okay but I was checking out an ibanez at the music shop yesterday and man it seems to play a lot better. I'm in the same boat as you, but trebel. played alto sax grade school/highschool concert/pep band and now I'm into guitar. I can't read music, I'm not sure how important that is to you, but tabs are really more accurate to reproduce another artist's playing because it shows you where they play the notes.
As with most instruments, go to a shop and play everything and see what you like, smaller places usually make deals for you too since your wanting an amp as well. Of course, not knowing how to play, bring someone you know who does play bass with you. Have them show you how to play just a couple simple licks so you can hear how it sounds on the different guitars, and take their advice as well.
New years sales should be rolling around too, I might be picking up a bass at the local shop on the 1st.

 

Clyde plays the 'lectric bass..........wooooooohoooooowooohoooooooooooo.

 

Me and my Hot-rodded Fender P-Bass

 

i play a modulus 5-string. and like the SWR amps..but have played on about everything. it's all about feal, and tone if you like it buy it play it....

 

x2. go play them and whatever sounds good to your ear is whats good for you.

 

hmmmm....only thing is guys, how can i go play em when i dont know a THING about em yet, other then the obvious!

 

That's kind of why I said go get a $100 Fender/amp, take it home and pound away. Either get online and find lessons or go to a music shop and take private lessons. Have fun now, if you like it, THEN go get a bad *** guitar and hammer away. Don't forget to make the old one into a wall orniment.

 

fly me out and I'll tell you what sounds and plays good. I got a couple mad girls I need to get away from anyway. haha