mr dave

ultimately it doesn't really matter what kind of bass you get to start with so long as it meets a few specific criteria.

1 - straight neck
2 - stays in tune
3 - looks cool

those are really the only things that matter, especially in the beginner range ($200-$300). it's not like you're going to pick a diamond out of a bucket of broken glass at that level.

as for the amps - minis suck all around. they're passable if you just need something to project sound without worrying about noise complaints but that's about it. you can always try your luck at your local pawn shop / second hand store for cheap amplifiers. never know what you'll find in those places.

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