Cheers jim, that's good advice.

God, I hope so.

Sorry if it was a bit condescending - I didn't notice your mentioning having played guitar a bit. In which case if you're comfortable with checking the condition of an instrument (or know someone who is), by all means go looking second hand.

Not condescending at all, so no worries. Squier would seem to be a pretty decent call given that I'm a Fender devotee in general (not that I mentioned it).

Does this chart match people's experiences?
Trustworthiness of Guitars

Well mine comes under "Brother from Another Mother" so I'm pretty OK with it.

I do want a V though, so I'm not sure what that says.

Doing a care and share reminded me of my favourite ever bass tone:

Melvins - The Bloat/The Bit [Belfort - Eurockeennes 2003]

Bloody massive, and not a Fender in sight..

Like TG, I am the brother from another mother and would like a V, an Explorer and a few of the working class hero ones