Yes, I guess you're right. Perhaps it's a bit of a big ask. Unfortunately, I'm getting married next month (actually, that didn't come out right...) so gratuitous expenditure isn't the order of the day.
I suppose it's possible to justify a bigger purchase on the re-selling argument but if like me you know nothing about the instruments you could easily end up paying a pile for something worth very little. eBay is a real danger on that basis but at least on this forum you're less likely to get stung. I'll keep an eye out for whatever turns up.
Many thanks chaps. Hope to be twanging along with you before long.