Skybone

It's still not a Ric. Happy NBD.

One cannot just "pop" into Bass Direct and come away empty handed surely?

Or D'Addario Pro Steel's. My vote would be to change the on-board pre-amp before anything else. Then look at pickups.

Disco 2000AD - Pulp

Land of Confusion - Genesis

Dry Bone Valley - Mastodon

Space is Deep - Hawkwind

He Knows You Know - Marillion

Punch and Judy - Marillion

Crying Over You - Roy Orbison

I'd agree with the "try as many as you can" sentiment. To be fair, you can't go far wrong with either a P or a J bass (or a P/J bass), and for that budget, you can easily get something that you can develop as a player on, as well as rehearse/record/gig confidently with. Like guitars, they're all a bit different, and you really do need to try a good few out before deciding which one to buy (especially with that budget). Better to find one you have a "connection" with in a shop, than spend a shed load buying stuff on the internet and finding it doesn't work for you. Good luck finding the right bass for you.

Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs

I Am (I'm Me) - Twisted Sister

Line6 POD Go. A really versatile piece of kit, especially for bass IMO.

Bloody Kisses - Type O Negative

Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks

3am Eternal - KLF

Two Minutes to Midnight - I, Ron Maiden

Seal Clubbing - Half Man Half Biscuit