Bass amp (should i)?

Question:I'm short on money (200 limit) I was thinking for auditiong for a band. They basically play small shows (30 person audience) The top of the guitarist's amp is about 1'6" off the ground. I need an amp.

Should I buy an amp so I can perform/audition?

Note: I currently am ampless, but I have the bass.
If I get an amp, what wattage should be the minimum:

Band's info: 2 guitarists (lead and rhythym), 1 singer (lead), 1 drummer. (they use combo amps)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm short on money (200 limit) I was thinking for auditiong for a band. They basically play small shows (30 person audience) The top of the guitarist's amp is about 1'6" off the ground. I need an amp.

Should I buy an amp so I can perform/audition?

Note: I currently am ampless, but I have the bass.
If I get an amp, what wattage should be the minimum:

Band's info: 2 guitarists (lead and rhythym), 1 singer (lead), 1 drummer. (they use combo amps)

You need some sort of rig of your own to PLAY, but not to audition. When you're auditioning, they want to know how well you can play and what your style is like. You should be able to just bring your bass and plug into whatever they may have around. Unless they want you to jam with them. Then they may want you to have your own rig with you. I'd just ask them if they want you to bring your own stuff or if you can plug into one of their rigs.

But you do need a rig. If this band accepts you, you will need to get some sort of bass rig before your first show. I am a bass player and I can tell you that you do not want the PA system to be your only sound. In small setups, you want your own rig for primary sound, and maybe pipe into the PA for reinforcement. In large setups, you want your rig to use as your monitors and then you pipe out from that to the venue's sound system.

How much output power you will need depends on a lot of factors. For about the same volume, you need about 5-10 times the wattage of your guitar players. Also, your EQ settings will affect your power requirements. If you EQ to deep and warm, you need more power than if you EQ to high and bright. You also need more power for larger rooms.

I run a 500 Watt Carvin amp into a 4x10 cab and a 1x18 cab. This works for venues up to about 100-200 people. That's about 1800 bux worth of equipment. For about 200 bux, you may be able to pick up a decent used combo unit around 50-100 watts. I just looked at musiciansfriend.com real quick and they have a Crate 100 W combo on sale. I don't know what Crate sounds like or how good they are.

Check Craig's List in your area, look at local pawn shops, music stores and garage sales for used equipment.

The best deal around is the Behringer BXL3000 for $280. It's got 300 watts and sounds great. 100 watts won't be enough with a drummer. All the on-line stores carry it. Borrow the other $80 bucks. musiciansfriend.com, music123.com, americanmusical.com
The other answer is right about the PA - don't expect to run your bass through it.