The ESP AX-54 - Many question. Much confuse.

[Denim]

Hello. Hi. What's up, yo? >.>

Being the shallow fool I am, and a longtime admirer of men who play with long, hard wood, the bass I fell in love with many moons ago was something called the [url="http://www.musiccorner.co.uk/p8130/Silvertone:-Apocalypse-Special-Bass-Silvertone/product_info.html"]Silvertone Apocalypse Special Bass[/url]. To me it really looked the business, but, sadly, Silvertone discontinued them... Also many moons ago.

I've spent my evening looking for a new guitar to smother in the crude affections of my wide eyes... and drooling mouth.

I'm not sure if anyone here plays an ESP, I must admit I'm not too clued up on the brands. I have friends who swear by Fenders and Ibanez kit, but those don't really get my pulse racing.

Considering I'm poor the selection is somewhat limited, but I noticed the [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-AX54-Bass-Guitar?sku=516168"]ESP AX-54[/url]. Supposedly new, but it looks just like the other AX models. It does come in a lovely, satin black finish. It's also cheapish So it caught my attention.

I really am clueless with regards to buying one of these lovely instruments and would greatly appreciate some specific advice. For instance, I notice that the AX-54 has a bolt-on neck and that the more expensive guitars are "neck-thru-body". No clue what that means with regards to sound, but it's pretty self-explanatory in physical terms. What's the difference?

I have tiny paws and, as such, would prefer a bass that does not require surgery to my digits to extend them over frets. I understand that 36" is referred to as 'long scale' and that 32" and 30" are 'short scale'. I'd prefer not to look like a toddler when playing, but am uncertain how childish I would look with a 32"er, as in the case of the AX-54.

Ironically I would prefer not to play this instrument like a hyperactive monkey on crack. Well, I might, once I learn what frets are for, but I'd prefer to learn a wide range of playing styles and dip my toes into a number of genres. I do like to experiment, so an instrument tuned for a specific style might not go down well with me.

I would greatly appreciate any advice fellow forumers can give me the purchase of this instrument, or one like it.

I should probably be quite specific about the suggestion of alternatives, so here are the rules:

1) It has to look like it came out of Satan's basement. Or at least be a plain color, darker tones are preferred. Shape is important, but I'll consider most of them as long as they're not those heart-shaped ones or similar.
2) It has to be versatile as I would like to experiment while I'm learning. This, oddly, means that I'll try to play it like a regular guitar at some point. I'll fail once I realise I'm missing two strings, but it won't matter, I'll still be happy if I can make sounds.
3) I cannot spend more than $300 because I'm from South Africa and import costs will probably double that amount.

A question that's likely to arise from this is, "Why don't you just buy one locally, n00b?!1"
The short answer is, "Because," but the real answer is, "Because, kind sir/madam, I've been to the local stores and they all stock Corts, Fenders and these Chinese ones which I do not find exciting." And when I say 'stock' I mean they have, like, 2. Versus 50 gajillion guitars. And those are just the ones in blue sunburst

Anyways, thanks for reading all this and, again, any advice on the ESP (or similar) would be appreciated ^_^