Yamaha [i]basses[/i], no question. You could probably pick up an RBX170 in a shop for less than £200. I haven't played one, but my bass tutor plays one in his soul band, I saw him play once and it sounded pretty good to me and he seems to have no desire to get anything else. Take from that what you will. My experience is mostly with BB models, a little more expensive, but still great basses for the money (played a BB614, 300, 350F, 450).