Another option is to use a MIDI pup on your regular guitar.  Fishman TriplePlay is one example.  I'm sure there are others.  This will also extend your palette to other VSTi-based instruments.
 
 

A one  string genius.
 

chuckebaby
very cool man.
Im a lot like you. though I don't play the sax and flute ( wind instruments) but if I had to, I would use a synth .
but only because I don't have one.
However.. if I had the option, I would buy a real one and learn it like you did with the bass.
 
when ever possible I grab for a real instrument because even the mistakes give your songs character.
they give it that something extra that a synthesized instrument can not.
varying tones, wavering pitches, different cycles (even on the same notes). each note comes in at 5/10ths of a second different.
 
our music is a reflection of ourselves. when we begin to quantize everything, it strays away and becomes robotic from what we are truly trying to accomplish....
and thats an extension of the real reflection of ourselves.
 

Cheers. I'm still pining for SampleModellings Brass bundle though. I can't start a new family of horns, I can't comfortably make that noise at the beginning (I had a baritone once). With the bass though and Overloud markbass, I can play the bass at night and the Winds in the day.
 
With the bass, though I wouldn't want to strictly quantise, but being able to play with dynamics timing and intonation with Melodyne, and the time to play and record one bar at a time if needed. Being a beginner musician of any instrument. has a bigger value in today DAWs. It's cray how flexable sound has become, and is available.
 
I'm not great on the sax and flute, but I can play em. I see no problem inbeing  a jack of all trades.
 

lowerfreq
Hello...
 
Does anybody have suggestions how to record a decent bass sound with an electric guitar(no real bass in the household)??
I have a couple of bass plug ins(Softube Bass Amp room) and of course there the Dim Pro/Rapture option, but I'm struggling with the tone...
Sonitus and Waves Ren6Q EQ are helping a bit, and I'm sure compression with be advantageous later on in the mixing stage, but I'm still not satisfied with how it sounds in the mix---besides having to do with my poor technique
Thx,
Freq
 
Edit:   I want to avoid keyboard-based bass playing as my skills are even worse!

I have been using these software plugins from Jam Origin as my midi guitar and Bass rig for years ..
http://www.jamorigin.com/products/
If you happen to have the ability to play your guitar where you have a lot of control over your technique , you might not ever need anything more than this
 
Kenny
 

am with Chuck above.. in preference of both ease and sound quality its....
 
#1: cheap bass ftw.. just think, you get to wear shades and a hat on backwards. 
#2: play in via midi keyboard & use SI bass.. 
#3: play in with guitar, AMC (my new phrase..audio to midi converter) with Melodyne , transpose it and THEN use SI bass.
#4: Play in with guitar and transpose audio. heavy post processing is needed as a transposed guitar part sounds nothing like a bass.

WOW!!!!    I'm the OP and...
 
...this is what I enjoy about the Cakewalk forum... friendly, informative, diverse, a bit 'o humor, and of course, some great ideas.
 
Thanks all for chiming in...
Salud!
 And by all means, keep it going