First bass guitar

Fender squier jazz or the yamaha RBX something (the one that costs that amount). Personally I'd go for the squier, but I'm probably 100% biassed.

 

Don't get an Aria unless you intend to upgrade quite soon, they feel flimsy and after all, would you rather have a bass that says "Aria" on it or "by fender". Get a squier

 

Check out Essex. They are availible through Rondo Music. While I have never played one I have heard nothing but good things about them. Check out the Essex megathread in the Basses forum for more information.

 

I'll second the Essex. I got mine and if you understand that you need to be able to do a very basic setup on it and tuning when you get it they are the best budget basses out there. They kill Squier IMO and I played every Squier in my local shop when I was hunting for basses. They are about on a par with Mexican Jazz basses for sound but dont quite have the fit and finish of a MexFender. They sound great. YOu can buy 3 for the price of 1 of anything else. Mine is the SX62 MG LPB model.

 

I own own one, Zon, and they are good basses for the money (most I would pay is about $200 for one). However, you can get reasonably better bass if your willing to spend up to $300 as mentioned. The Spector performance basses are excellent beginner to intermediate basses with lots of good features, and can be had for under $300 easily, especially fi oyu look on ebay or something like that.
Another very solid bass for around $300 is teh Ibanez SR300DX. It has a much thinner neck than the spector, and plays quite well- I play my brother's all the time , especially if I'm slapping.
One more quality bass in your price range to consider would be a Peavey foundation. These are american made basses, and are hard to beat for value in the lower end price range. Its a good solid bass with good tone, and is very sturdy and reliable.

 

Essex Schmessex - get a squier

Only joking, I've never played an Essex but if I were you I'd try and have a go on both. Then get a squier!








Still only joking...
My biass is shining through

 

Very true- the essex basses are generally a big notch above squiers! I have played some mexi jazz's that are worse than my essex, adn I have played some that are much better- it really depends on which one you pick up. For a beginner bass, the essex is not a bad choice at all, but I fealt that the few I listed were significantly better in the fit/finish, as well as playability departments, and you'd probably be happy with one of them longer. If you do go essex, I doubt you'll be dissapointed, just make sure you know to set up a bass, or know a place than do you for it (for a fee of course).

 

look 4 a used fender

 

id say go for an SX, but whatever you get, get used. much better prices, on about the same bass (maybe a few scratches) it also could be a bit better than streight out of the music store basses.