Hmm well I've played bass for about 15 years, and I'm an incurable gear-head.
If you buy a new amp, you will only get A TOY for 200 quid (I estimate that to be around 5-600 Aussie smackers). If you buy second-hand, however, you need to know what to look for.
* With bass amplification, power is EVERYTHING (well, almost). 50 Watts RMS is nothing. So is 100. It really doesn't start getting good until around 400. For 200 quid, a 75-80 Watt combo is about the best you will get. Pick something with more power and less frills (graphic equalisers, effects loops etc.); you don't need them.
* A well-respected brand name will have better resale value, and get you more chicks (maybe). You won't get a boutique brand like Ampeg, GK or SWR. Brands that I reckon make decent little budget combos are: Hartke, Peavey, Yorkville, Crate and perhaps Laney. 200 quid will only get you a VERY small amp from a company like SWR, Ashdown or Trace-Elliot. It will sound great up close but shite further back.
* I don't like Behringer. Maybe their stuff is good for the money, but they're just budget.
* Marshall makes wicked guitar amps, but no bass amps worth spitting on.
* In my (heavily biased) opinion, the best entry-level combos are made by
Nemesis.
So let's have a look on eBay in Pommy Land:
Hartke - nice but TOO SMALLWow - 180 Watts! But it's Behringer... hmm, might be okayPeavey TNT - a great first amp!Peavey TKO - another decent first ampHope that gets you started. PM me if you need more advice!
So anyway, what do I play through? Okay, I'll flop it out:
Eden WT-550 and TWO
Eden XLT-series 2 x 10 cabs - Karma if you can BEAT THAT