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HB PB-50 - Modded! v2.0 *New Clip*


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HB PB-50 - Modded! v2.0

https://soundcloud.com/arkaymith/modded-hb-pb-50/s-7y2HZ

Latest experiment in modifying a cheap bass to make it punch way above its weight - this is the second HB PB-50 I've modded. Basically it's had the headstock reshaped, neck tinted, pickup upgraded, bridge replaced and the pickguard resprayed so as to resemble a 54/56-type P Bass. It also has Fender Mex RW wiring, pots and jack output, Fender-style control knobs and a Fender string tree.

The stock strings were iffy rounds, so I upgraded to LaBella 760FS flats. I've said this before, but the difference a good set of strings makes, even to a more affordable bass, is astonishing. Given that the necks on these are surprisingly good, the strings and the pickup (a Herrick Tele '51' Bass Single Coil) make the bass a joy to play and it sounds great.

Compared with my last effort, the headstock is a much more accurate shape and of course the new pickup makes a huge difference. I knocked the gloss off the bodywork and hardware with a Scotchbrite pad as I don't like 'new' basses. I don't like the Angle-Grinder School of bass relic work either, so it's fairly subtle. I didn't tint the back of the neck as the stock satin finish plays very well as it is.

I may yet replace the tuners as the tuner posts are the 'hourglass' type that force you to have the string resting in the middle of the post, whereas I prefer to wind the string down to the bottom of the post to get a better break angle over the nut. It would also be an opportunity to get the reverse vintage type which of course would be more in keeping with the vibe.

BodyFront.jpg&key=3de710adb1f0c3466a02637c3e4eecb511a98629718b0e6bff56dc9256dae3b4

StockFront.jpg&key=753768b626fd33b6625824637942a1c9ea6f0a8d64d099f5ad1bf6ec50a86eff

BridgeControl.jpg&key=17c5390ac36a91b570f62801b8a51bdea79e1c85dde77591af9b0e6d213ec03a

StockBack.jpg&key=61952b7e831680133d1c2d396d31e299659448c13a4e7188e107749f110eba3c

BodyBack.jpg&key=e9c5e2301d466e8aabb668529af01cf3f90361f4b6b610b24e9917ae0333598a

Full.jpg&key=2d787a27871f51f22fd76c702060c8f493fb96a3541bf0329d664c5125a7eafe

Thanks to Davie (kodiakblair) for the headstock template and John (KiOgon) for the control knobs. :)

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[quote name='Tweedledum' timestamp='1503487871' post='3358600']
Here's my HB-50 mod: I stripped the body and sprayed it gold and installed a Harley Benton lefty Jazz Bass neck to get closer to a Dusty Hill kind of vibe.
I like the Wilkinson pickup. It sounds pretty good actually.
[/quote]

That is suh-weet! :) I want to do a body refin on the next one. I only changed my pup because HB don't fit a Wilkinson any more...

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[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1503490444' post='3358637']
Nice one - out of interest what happened to your last effort ?
[/quote]

I moved it on shortly after finishing it as I didn't really need it at the time. Plus I wanted to do another at some point. I think this one's a keeper though, especially after the time investment. Plus it's not worth much, so there's less chance of it ending up in the pawn shop... ;)

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[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1503600299' post='3359622']
How many have you got?? :blink:
[/quote] I briefly had 3. 1 was a "deko" bought for parts,quick fix later and it went to a pal's lad. Sold my 1st one,with the lovely roasted maple type grain on thefretboard, last month to a BC'er. Just my trusty Peavey SF powered PB-50 left :)

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[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1503669488' post='3360184']
...the fact my PB-50's all had great necks,working tuners and decent bridges helped.
[/quote]

That's the thing, if you're happy with the nut width and fairly chunky handful, the PB-50 necks play very nicely. Great value, imho.

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[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1503669854' post='3360189']
That's the thing, if you're happy with the nut width and fairly chunky handful, the PB-50 necks play very nicely. Great value, imho.
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more, the neck on mine is excellent too. The fit in the neck pocket is what amazed me the most for a Bass of this price point, it's super tight!

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[quote name='Tweedledum' timestamp='1503487871' post='3358600']
Sounds good! (Looks good, too.)

Here's my HB-50 mod:
<pic>

I stripped the body and sprayed it gold and installed a Harley Benton lefty Jazz Bass neck to get closer to a Dusty Hill kind of vibe.
I like the Wilkinson pickup. It sounds pretty good actually.
[/quote]

How well did the HB Jneck fit the pocket? Decently, I'm guessing.

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[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1503742519' post='3360634']
How well did the HB Jneck fit the pocket? Decently, I'm guessing.
[/quote]
Fits nicely into the pocket. Only the screw holes in the neck heel were slightly misaligned so had to fill them and drill new ones.

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[quote name='Tweedledum' timestamp='1503855306' post='3361195']
Fits nicely into the pocket. Only the screw holes in the neck heel were slightly misaligned so had to fill them and drill new ones.
[/quote]
Cool. Thank you.

Time for some plotting... :)

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[quote name='Tweedledum' timestamp='1503487871' post='3358600']Sounds good! (Looks good, too.)[/quote][quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1503523073' post='3358968']Sounds and looks amazing, well done.[/quote][quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1504622306' post='3366118']
That's a nice looking bass. Sounds good on your sound cloud too.
[/quote][quote name='eude' timestamp='1503671066' post='3360201']That sounds awesome![/quote][quote name='silverfoxnik' timestamp='1503852949' post='3361182']Really nice playing too![/quote]

Thanks for all the positive comments, folks. Next up: v3.0 will be a 68 Telecaster Bass-alike. I've even got a two-saddle bridge and string ferrules on order...

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