Dan Dare

Valve pre and solid state power amp? Cheaper/lighter. Pre is mostly responsible for the tone.

"Not very punk", eh? Perhaps that's the problem. You're trying to sound like The Dammed at the local Darby & Joan club. Try playing venues that suit your style.

Don't worry about wattage, etc. Speakers can handle much higher than stated ratings in short bursts. You're more likely to cause damage by under-driving a cab. Most amps don't give rated power anyway.

Agree with Lozz. Take a head and plug into house speakers if possible.

One thing that's worth a go is to try some of the better instruments in the shop, find one you really like and then look for the one in your price range that's closest to it.

PJ

I've never been able to play. After 43 years, I've got used to it

Ah, social clubs. Do they still have the bingo number generator dalek thingy?

Ah, the old "it's a company city, they live a nice life, everything's wonderful" line. Trotted out by us prosperous westerners to mollify our consciences so we can continue to buy cheap stuff, made by people with who we wouldn't trade places with in a thousand years. Try changing your job or disagreeing with the boss and you'll find "company city" ain't such a paradise after all.

It's often the way. The trouble is, when something's rare/sought after, someone will usually make the seller a decent cash offer to end the auction early. Can't really blame a seller for accepting.

Beyer DT770. Old but good.

Love Her Madly an Riders on the Storm - Doors. Trying to play the bass parts and sing them for my covers band. Tricky to combine the timings properly.

Nowt wrong with Mexican basses, as others say and plenty of change from your £500.

Smart casual attire, turn up a little early (not good to look too eager/desperate), be nice and see how it goes.

Could be wired in parallelCCcProbably wired in parallel. Would explain the 4 ohm impedance.

2x15? Used to have a Bassman 135 with a 2x15. Fabulous old skool sound.

Ouch. Have to say, I never buy or sell anything musically related other than face to face. It means I may get a bit less for stuff I flog, but I don't get shafted. Also means I can make sure things I buy are as described. Funny. I've never had a problem selling buying other stuff - fishing tackle, etc, but musical kit seems to attract shystyers in their droves. A scam for sellers to be aware of is the "it arrived damaged/was faulty" trick. The buyer will pay you via PayPal and send a "courier" to collect. You receive no acknowledgement from the "courier" of the condition of the item. Surprise, surprise, you then get a message claiming it was broken/faulty and the payment is clawed back. If you make the mistake of paying the return postage to the buyer, you will receive a broken/faulty sample of the pristine item you originally sent.

[sub]Nothing whatsoever. [/sub]

Cotton stuff - tee shirts, etc - is of excellent quality and very cheap in the States. Failing that, the Mesa Powerhouse cab recommended above a good choice.

I've always been impressed with the Markbass tone if you want a lightweight. Their heads seem to work especially well with Ampeg cabs, which ain't light, sadly.

Some of the class D PA amps can be had for good prices used and will be of very high quality (Lab Gruppen, Camco , MC2, etc) and fit a standard rack case. Easily re-soId, too.

Literally hundreds of alternatives out there. What do you want to do with it and how much can you spend?

Agree with others' comments about diminishing returns and paying for the name, etc. If you want it and an afford it, why not? I'd rather spend £1k on a car and £11k on an instrument than the other way round (if I had the money of course...)

A plug for Kent Armstrong. Nice and not too pricey.