im learning to play bass and im looking for a good starter instrument. Would a rougue bass be a good one to get?

If you can, go to a music store and play it. Even if you don't know what your doing. Just go and mess around with it, and try others while your there. There are several entry models to try, so try as many as you can and the answer will come to you. As for other people's opinions try this website. You can learn a lot of stuff about equipment there.

http://www.harmony-central.com/

the main factor that will come into play when getting a beginner level bass (or any instrument for that matter) is MONEY. the actual brand and model you end up with is generally pretty irrelevant when you're dealing with entry level gear. just remember, the purpose of a beginner instrument is to learn how to play the instrument, not to have a high quality piece of gear that only other musicians will get excited about.

having said that, at this point the quality of the instrument you get isn't going to be that important, find something that makes you feels good to play around with and looks cool, so long as it inspires you to pick it up and mess around with it. once you've been playing for a bit and have the basics down you'll be far better prepared when you get your first quality instrument. besides, if you can learn to play on cheap gear just imagine how much better you'll sound when you get the good stuff.

i'm also kind of leary about ordering instruments online though, especially when they're low end models since the manufacturing of those instruments generally isn't at the same level of quality as a higher model. it's not to say they're bad but there could be a whole lot of difference in quality between two instruments just from being on the assembly line at different times (anyone who's played lower end yamahas or epiphones knows exactly what i'm talking about).

i had a paevey maltsrom which wasn't too expensive and an excelent lefty. i sold it to a friend that loves it better than i did

The SX and Brice lines at http://www.rondomusic.net/ are decent starters. A little further up the scale are MIM Fenders, The G&L Tribute series, Dillion and Deans. Just a few ideas.

I think its upto you what bass you want to buy, you will be the one playing it, so buy one that you think you will feel okay with.

I think you're most likely looking at the Rogue that's like...$80? I've played that one. It didn't feel right in mny hands, it's headstock is heavy. I would suggest that you look into other brands, or save your money up for a possibly higher quality bass. Look into Squier or a Peavey, some brand you can trust.

How to buy a bass
Step 1. Get $200-$400
Step 2. Spend that money on anything with 4 strings you can find

Although make sure it's a bass, not a violin or one of those other deeleys.

I'd like to see someone with a uke try to play the bass part for a band.