Well I guess I better hold out if i decide to get serious about bass. Or a may buy a cheap behringer and get a eden combo later.
You have to start somewhere. When i picked up bass again after several years off I started with an old, and I do mean old Crate 15" combo and an Ibanez SG800 that I bought for $200. I just bought stuff when I could get a deal on it and then traded it for something better later. The key is to keep an eye out for good equipment that they can't seem to find a buyer for, or have too much of at the time. Buy it, use it and then when the market improves, or another store is short on the item get rid of it for something you want. For instance, I bought a mint '78 fretless P Bass for a song from a store that was up to its eyeballs in fretless basses it couldn't sell. I used it awhile and then swapped it for a refinished '71 P at another store straight across. I actually traded an Ampeg 410 straight across for my first D410XLT. I couldn't believe it, but the other person needed to sell the thing fast and he knew someone who was familiar with Ampeg who he could sell my piece to so I graciously traded with him in a 3 way deal.
Ultimately, it's not about the equipment anyway, it's about you and how you play, and i would argue, who you play for and serve first. I'm convinced that I've been blessed because I offered my talent to God first and He opened other doors for me to expand my knowledge and playing experience.
