Mesh
Yeah Kenny, I do want to get a bass (possibly just cheap one that does the job well)......when more funds are available (waiting for the lotto results
).
About getting synths.....I can highly recommend SynthMaster (if you don't already have it). It's really good with MG and there are soooooo many excellent presets that are MG friendly....specially for us soloists. 
You can probably get it at a very good bargain price over at KVR and possibly get some additional libraries included (that's the route I took a few years back and got a bunch of Nori Ubukata libraries.....very good/useful sounds IMO).
Yes, I hear you loud and clear Mesh ,
Right now for you , me and Wookiee , it seems to be that it's the ole when the funds become available thang holding us back . Lets hope that it is a temporary thang that will soon pass

Thank you for the synth recommendation ,that synth may indeed be a good one for me to consider ...
As far a Bass's go there is a lot of decent playing / sounding Bass's out there from Fender , Squier , Ibanez , Schecter , & Yamaha that won't break the bank and be fully usable if your loto ticket don't happen to win ...
The Rondo Music web page has a few nice Bass's also .....
look at this freaking Monster for small peanuts
http://www.rondomusic.com/URSA2MN6ASHna.html(It's got too many strings for Midi Bass but hey I wouldn't mind having it

)
good luck ,
Kenny