So I took the opportunity to buy a Westfield P copy (left handed of course). I had heard that overall they were good quality for the price and could be got cheap second hand. I had won a 3TSB one for a tenner on eBay and just couldn't arrange to be at the seller's house exactly on the hour they wanted it collecting so I lost out.
I picked up one in all black today. I took it home gave it a good clean, oiled the fretboard and put on some semi-used Fender flat wound strings as well as an Allparts Fender-a-like string post and a black plastic thumb rest. So far I'm quite pleased with the sound, and would be happy playing it at a rehearsal, but a bit more presence and fullness in the sound would make me more happy. Good strings on a budget bass do make a big difference - the sound is so much better than I had expected.
The plan is to upgrade it piece by piece - I have a black wilkinson bridge with brass saddles on order, and some black Fender straplocks on their way too. I have been offered a Seymour Duncan pickup by a fellow basschatter, and soon I'll look at the pots, jack and wiring. I fancy putting on some black tuners too... but one thing at a time.
The bass is nice and light, sounds and feels pretty good and would be excellent for a beginner - probably better than the Tanglewood P copy I started on. The nut is plastic and needs to go, and I really don't like the headstock shape. i may replace the neck, I fancy an all maple Fender P style neck if I can get one that fits....