Lessons for Violin

I’m planning on buying a bass guitar so I can play in my friend’s bass. I’ve never really played an instrument except a violin like 5 years ago. I’ve been reading The Complete Idiot’s Guide To: Playing Bass Guitar and the Squier Bass starter pack I’m thinking of getting comes with an instructional dvd. My question is should I pay the extra $70 at Best Buy for 4 lessons, get a teacher (which I really don’t want to do because I’d have to waste money), or learn through books, playing by ear, and looking stuff up online. And yes I know I should learn musical notes instead of tab or both