They're basses not guitars

I'd say no to a five string if you're just starting because it just complicates matters. Also why do you want to play bass if you already play acoustic? The logical move from there would be to play electric.

Also those two first basses are exactly the same apart from an added flamed maple top, so it's just aesthetics. the 3rd bass is the same as the first but with a low B string.

As for the amp for that sort of money you won't get much whatever you buy so i'd go for the crate purely on looks there. Also the crate has a bigger speaker and a larger power output.

I tried the Crate BT15 a little over a year ago and it's solid. I tried a really small Peavey of comparable specs and it didn't perform quite as well as the Crate. This was using a five string of my own, so it can handle it I believe. Definitely try them out.

Ultimately I tend to lean towards five strings, so long as they are set up well enough. My five doesn't play quite as well as I'd like to (which would be anything like the ones I find in stores), but that could be my negligence. The problem is easily solved when there are no frets, but that's a preference.

Of the four strings, I'd go with the one that has a flamed maple top considering I'm rather bored of how my GSR190 looks (solid black). Is that enough to justify the extra money? I don't know.

EDIT: And it's perfectly possible to start out on a five string. Finding the need for it is important though.

The GSR200FM is 40 bucks more expensive, but It does come with a free tuner at the place nearby. Astetics mean a bit to me, and the bass will need to last me through high school and then I will probably upgrade.
The user reviews say peavey is better than crate but all my friends reccomend crate so I really need help with the amp.

Yeah GOOD peavey's are better than crates of the same price as a generalisation. But that smaller crate has better specs put simply. 8" speaker over the 6.5" speaker on the peavey. 15W output rather than the peavey's 10W (though that doesn't mean much sometimes). Also low end peavey's i find tend to be a bi ho-hum. I borrowed one from nevermore when i was between amps for a bit, it was a bit higher model than that and i just didn't like it at all. The equaliser was rubbish, made no impact on the tone at all and aver a certain level the volume knob did nothing and the tone was just really flat. I mean yeah it was quiet but that doesn't mean it has to have bad tone right?

Also i'd go with the GSR200FM just because i'm not much of a fan of solid finishes, they bore me. The blue flamed top actually looks REALLY nice to me. And they're not bad basses, they're reasonably solid. They're not great basses, and you might be able to get better for your money, you might not but that's all a beginner really needs and they don't really have a tendency to break or anything.

May i ask why you're going from acoustic to bass though?

Get the 5 string and the Crate.

What kind of tuner is it?

As far as I know, the Crate has a four band EQ while the Peavey has a simpler two band, not sure if that'll make all too much difference though. The crate handled the low end better from what I remember, though.

Honestly, what are you intending to play with the 5 string? unless you have a real need for it, it could just make things more complicated.

Quick noob question, I know most 5 string basses have a B string, is that incredibly low sound necessary?

quote strike_vanisher

Quick noob question, I know most 5 string basses have a B string, is that incredibly low sound necessary?

No, you can put whatever string of whatever gauge to whatever tuning you like wherever you like on the bass, just most bassists prefer it that way. It is more necessary though if you want to play certain songs. For instance most dream theater stuff needs a 5 string, some need a 6. A lot of korn songs use a 5 and some slipknot songs such as duality do.

Personally though i find them easier to play for fast riffy metal stuff as they tend to squeeze the strings closer together when they add the fifth string and it just makes it that bit more playable for me.

Theres also this bass but It;s just a tad out of my budget of $300 http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-GSR205FM-5-String-Bass-Guitar-517465-i1392777.gc

Again that's the same as the 2nd bass you posted but with an added string, or the same as the 3rd bass you posted but with a flamed maple top. There are others in that price range that could be better if you want us seasoned bassists to link you to some?

and you could always save for a bit.

quote Metallica Rocks

There are others in that price range that could be better if you want us seasoned bassists to link you to some?

Of course

Well there are peavey basses. I've heard some VERY good things about these, good sound, good playability and very very well constructed. Also very cheap and i think rather pretty but judge for yourself. Here.
Probably better than an ibanez GSR.

there's also this peavey, the next model up from that one ^ better electronics, pickups and it's active, meaning it's powered by a better battery and they tend to be louder and pack more punch. Here.

If you insist on a five string these are nice. Well constructed and have a really nice sound, very close to their $1300 counterparts as they're officially licensed products. Hence the name OLP. here

I can look for a few more on other sites too if you want? chiefly musicians friend.

This message was edited by Metallica Rocks on Apr 05 2008.

To be honest I dont like the astetics of either of the 4 strings, although the 5 string interests me but I cant get the your link to work.