thanks folks, for the responses. I actually saw an Essex yesterday. I went down to our only "music store" in town to ups something, and I bought some picks and strings, and they had the Essex bass (149.00) and a Johnson, they looked identical except fot the headstocks. Didn't play'em though, the fuck didn't even have a bass amp in stock. Anyway, the guy who runs the place is a boob and everything in there is a rip-off. The only good things he has there is strings (overpriced, but there if you're in a pinch), and picks. He does have this big box of single strings though, that comes in handy. I'm talking with sickdrummer about his squire, that could be the ticket.
thanks again guys and dolls.
dtb