Flea Bass

The comment on this post and the latest issue of Bass Player magazine brought it to my attention that Flea is bringing the One Laptop Per Child spirit to bass guitar with his new Flea bass. The idea is that beginning players get quality instruments set up by hand and ready to play instead of taking the risks of sub-par budget basses.

It's a fantastic idea for a few reasons:

• Getting quality instruments into the hands of beginners means they'll be getting better tone and feel earlier in their learning process, encouraging them to progress.
• No matter what you think of Flea's style, he has attracted a great deal of attention to the bass.  Those people tend to be hyperkinetic slappers, but they'll calm down after a bit.
• It's got "junior" and full-size models available, so everybody gets a fair shot.
• Y0u can buy two Flea basses for one Sting Fender Precision signature model.

Toss in a gig bag and a Flea instructional bass, and you've got a decent deal.  Throw in a pair of sunglasses, and the colors are a little less . . . intense.  Overall, a great idea.