Atdiboy,
Here's what I suggest you do (it's what I did, sorta)....
Start by buying something used on the low end or mid range. Figure on spending $800 - 1,500. In my case, I bought a used Spoiler. Then just enjoy playing it. Actually that sorta goes without saying.
Next time you have $800 - 1,000 or so to spend on a bass, sell the one you bought used for pretty much the same price you paid for it. Then add the $800 - 1,000 you've saved up to the funds from selling the first used bass and buy something a bit nicer, but used, for $2,000 - 2,500. Now you're into Rogue / Europa / Signature / Series I range.
You can keep repeating this cycle until you have enough money to fund a custom instrument. An added benefit is that you also have a better idea of what features you want or don't want after having played several different instruments.
What makes this process work is that after about 5 years, used basses have already depreciated as much as they are going to depreciate. A bass that you can buy for $1,500 used you can sell a year later for $1,500, so you get to use it for free!!! (Plus the cost of strings). Over the years I've owned 6 different Alembics. I now only have the two that my children will inherit. Individually they would cost a fortune, but since I used the process of buying and selling the previous four, the incremental cost to acquire them wasn't too bad.
Peace, (and welcome to the club)
James
