Paul S

Conversely, I have often wondered about getting a cheap short scale, such as a Harley Benton PB Shorty, taking a saw to it and converting it with a headless hardware kit.

Depends upon your point of view. I prefer the body shape to a Gibson but find the treatment of the neck joint rather clunky.

Good thread. I've had two Squier JV Precisions, both at the same time, still got one. The first was a really early '82 Fender logo '57 RI in tobacco burst with a maple neck that I bought from @LukeFRC a few years ago. Weighed 9lbs on the nose and had a real vintage P bass tone. The second was an '83 in black with a maple neck. I'm not sure but I don't think this was a '57 RI model - anyone know? It weighed 8lbs on the nose and has a far more aggressive tone to it. The maple has some figuring on it and it is the bass I like the most of all those I have ever bought. This is the one I've kept. I've had three Peavey Fury basses - the Mk I single pickup P-bass-a-like. They all sounded similar, very close to the black JV P bass above in that they are an aggressive Precision tone. More so, in fact - the pickup reminds me of the Entwistle PBXN. But the weight varies hugely. The first one I had weighed 8.5lbs, the second one nearly 10 lbs, the one I have currently (the keeper) weighs under 8lbs. Really nice basses that cost peanuts. Hohner B2 basses. Ostensibly very similar - B2, B2A, B2ABD. Had all of them at various times. The weight again was extremely variable from 7lbs (B2) to nearly 9lbs.

This has been recently listed. Yamaha SB-35. I had one, sold it, worst sellers remorse I've ever had. Never thought I'd see another one turn up but it is 1.5lbs heavier than mine was and I am going to pass it by. Superb, quality instrument that has a tone to die for. Much punchier than a Gibson, for example. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SB-35-Yamaha-Bass-Guitar-Made-in-Japan-1970s-Medium-Scale/164660265554

I like the nude look, too. Looks great! How much do these HB PB-50s weigh?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-PB-50-Bass-Pickguard-PB-50-51-scratchplate-many-colours/114233957501?hash=item1a98dfdc7d:g:cCIAAOSwb7te5NkK&var=414747868484 great service from this guy.

Thanks for that. I'd followed your earlier post on it, as it happens, and it is a contender. Possibly the only contender, in fact, should I decide to do an equity release on my Jake 5.

See, the thing is - it is not a copy. To my simplistic way of thinking if a band do someone else's tune they can do it how they like. Be it signed band on a recording or a covers band down the Dog and Doughnut. I don't really see the mileage in picking over cover versions and comparing them with the original. Personally, I like to see how other people interpret a song, not just see how well a band can copy a song.

Down At The Doctors, Doctor Feelgood.

I had a Hofner Club Ignition. At the same time I had a Danelectro '56 single cutaway which is ostensibly very similar but more expensive. Thus I was able to do a fairly accurate A/B comparison and not rely on memory. The Danelectro was a league above the Hofner in all respects. A better class of thump. Hard case - Pretty sure a Les Paul is going to be too small as far as the width of the body is concerned. My Les Paul Jnr DC bass fits snugly inside but a short scale EB-3 won't. You might get away with a hollow body guitar case for a 335 or similar but checking measurements is paramount.

Not sure anyone would spot a difference 😁

Living After Midnight, Judas Priest

In my blues band we often play rather fluid versions of songs (usually another 12 bars of solo over the one we rehearsed ) so rely on eye contact quite a bit. There is a lot of light and shade that depends upon it. But that is one of the joys of a 3 piece, it is easier to do stuff like that.

They'd have to market one as a lightweight special or something and charge more. Certainly I'd pay more for a guaranteed lightweight. But it is also why getting bits hollowed out as a retro thing on an existing bass just isn't worth it. Pay, say, £250 for a BB425 then (in my case) pay someone to make some chambers in it just doesn't make economic sense, much as I'd like it.

They could. They could make them out of swamp ash or basswood. Nevertheless I hold out hope that a random lightweight one will come along - it seems most basses can vary a lot like this

I like pretty much everything about them except the weight. If they could do the same bass - particularly the 5er - but at 8lbs I would be very happy. It would be entirely feasible.

Thank you! I went for the Supertone because I'd had one before and thought it was a decent bit of kit. Also it was cheaper than the Babicz AFAIA the necks are very similar on the SG/DC.