I'm looking at buying a super-cheap bass 'just in case I need it' (at least that's the excuse I use when justifying the purchase to the missus); needless to say I know absolutely nothing about bass guitars except they (generally) have fewer strings than other guitars and can be tuned a wee bit lower.

Would a lower-end Ibanez fit the bill? Spotted a 5 stringer that LOOKS good..... GSR205 I think - it's only for messing about with and laying down the odd backing track.

Almost on subject, the shop has an entire wall of lefty basses, all manufacturers. Either a) guitar companies cater for lefty bassists far more than for guitarists, or b) there is no such thing as a lefty bassist and no lefty bass has ever been sold. Weird. There's about three lefty guitars in the entire shop....

I got an Ibanez GIO 4 stringer... I'm not sure how much its worth though. I'm thinking along the lines of 100 bucks...

the best thing to do is just go to a bunch of pawn shops. i got an old ibanez soundgear. its great cause it feels like a guitar wtih its thin neck. so the transition is easy

I've got this to go nicely with my RGs. A 1989 RD707WH

Hey, I got this SB900CA to go with my Sabers. Got it off of evilbay for like $75 with the case because "the neck was loose". Well, a tightening of the bolts later and - wow, you got a working bass. Well, to be truthful the pickups were disconnected too, but I'm having them replaced with Duncan actives at this very moment.

Anyway, the point is that if you hold out, you can usually find good deals on Japanese Ibanez basses on Evilbay, I've seen more than 1 of these Saber Basses go for under $200.