No reputable dealer would sell you a $400 bass unless you wanted to use it for wall art. You can buy these things on Ebay, though. Sometimes you can find such stuff on Craigslist. Be forewarned however, that such basses will be unplayable when new, will fall apart at the seams eventually and will be unsellable when you get sick and tired of it.
SO... go and read all the newbie threads about buying a bass. Lots of great info there, and good luck.
I don't think you can even get one of those "bass shaped object" basses from China for under 400. Unless you find the absolute deal of a lifetime, save up. It'll be worth it.
__________________
"You've got to be a master **** detector" -Dizzy
Yup - for £250 you will be lucky to get a decent slab in the UK ...
I would see £1,000 as being a minimum for a cheap DB - around that area. Some people I know, have rented DBs with an option to buy - maybe this is a more realistic option?
__________________
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.” Charles Mingus
