I like Radiators...starting move from guitar to bass

[fishhed]

As you can tell from my handle I am a Rads fan. BTW check out archive.org for great live shows of theirs.

I have played guitar off and on for a long while and recently borrowed my brother in law's Ovation Bass CC072 and liked it. I really want a little more thump though and I have to give it back next weekend.

I am now browsing lots of sites for information about what to buy and have played around with both pluck and slap techniques on my borrowed bass. I have about $500+ to spend on bass and amp (for now) and figure $300 on the bass and $200 on amp/cab is good for now. Correct me if you think different.

I might stretch to $400+ for the base and use my Guitar's (Ovation Elite) Roland cube until I can afford a bass amp too...problem is it sounds tinny now with the Ovation...I want to get best value in bass playability and sound, dont mind cosmetic dings etc.

I have been looking at some interesting models:
Ovation Magnum Bass (Mangum 4 has nice active controls)
Bacchus bass (read about in dude pit) - never played
I played a Gibson EB2 D my roommate in college had and loved it but too pricey I think now...

I am big - 6'4" so heavy is ok for me. Musical taste ranges from Blues/Rock like Radiators, Ry Cooder, the Band, Muddy Waters to Django jazz. Any recommendations for models or where to look are solicited.

Fishhed