As far as basses go i'd say Squier Standards are hard to beat.
All advice so far has been sound, esp. the bit about a knowledgeable mate (paritcularly where second hand gear is concerned)!
It really helps to have someone who can spot faults you would otherwise have missed, buying second hand has drawbacks as well as advantages. I bought my first bass from cash converters and got well and truly robbed, i wish i'd have had someone to guide me in the right direction!
Also, even though i really don't like ashdown gear, i'd have to say if i needed a loud little combo for gigging and rehearsing and didn't have much dough i'd plum for an electric blue 15"