miles'tone Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) I bought a HB shorty P bass for my young sons to have a bash on, and for 50 quid new from Thomann I wasn't expecting much. But, wow! It's ace! It arrived fully intonated with the nut cut just right, pickup height spot on and the action/relief great too. It was instantly playable, All I had to do was tune it. It comes with light gauge steel strings which I thought would be poo but they feel nice actually. Good growl. Having never owned or played a short scale bass before, I got the biggest shock (not literally thankfully! 💥) when I plugged it in. It sounds like, well, a pretty decent P bass to be honest. Not a lightweight or "diet" P bass sound, just a good P bass tone. I'm stumped! My wife likes it too although I didn't quite know what to say when she asked, "why does everyone play those big things if a small one sounds the same? Why make things harder than they need be?" Indeed. (I kept my cool and explained that I need a longer scale bass to get a decent B string .... don't I? 😯) Anything else? Oh, the frets do look cheap but there's no rough edges or buzzes or dead spots anywhere on the fingerboard. The tuners hold their tune admirably . Weighs 6 1/2 lbs. Amazing. 50 quid. I just hope that they aren't made in a notveryfairtrade sweat shop somewhere . It does make you think how they make them this good for next to nothing really. The only downer here was that my boys (5 and 2 1/2) were more interested in playing with the massive bubble wrap packaging!😄 Very impressed all in I must say. Cracking little bass! Edited March 24, 2015 by miles'tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I had one for a little while to see if I liked a shorter scale. Was a surprisingly useable bass. Seen a heavily upgraded one on eBay that looked canny too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben4343 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I have done exactly the same! Can't wait to try it out at the weekend, and I am even more excited after hearing how pleased you are. I had taken a punt on it as a cheap bass to learn how to do set ups, fret adjustment, circuit re-wiring etc., but it sounds like the need won't be so great; don't know if that is good news or bad really! You seem to be happy with the sound you are getting from the pups - are you running them through anything clever, or do they simply have a good honest noise to them? Congrats on your NBD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) [quote name='ben4343' timestamp='1427187843' post='2726772'] I have done exactly the same! Can't wait to try it out at the weekend, and I am even more excited after hearing how pleased you are. I had taken a punt on it as a cheap bass to learn how to do set ups, fret adjustment, circuit re-wiring etc., but it sounds like the need won't be so great; don't know if that is good news or bad really! You seem to be happy with the sound you are getting from the pups - are you running them through anything clever, or do they simply have a good honest noise to them? Congrats on your NBD! [/quote] Cheers! No, not plugging into anything fancy, just my Peavey Max 158 practice combo (1x8 speaker, 20 watts) with the eq set flat. The Pups sound good enough, yes a good honest P tone as you say. I won't be changing them which is surprising for me, as usually I'm a compulsive tinkerer who can't leave things be! I hope you feel the same way when you receive yours! Let us know how you get on... Edited March 24, 2015 by miles'tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Happy New Bass day. Please to hear it's working for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1427215701' post='2727375'] Happy New Bass day. Please to hear it's working for you. [/quote] Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) I think your good lady wife is absolutely right and you should therefore sell your VM P5 to me for £50, which you can then use to buy another Harley Benton to replace it which you can string up BEAD Edited March 26, 2015 by Painy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Haha! Nice try From. My. Cold. Dead. Hand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben4343 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 It's awesome! Probably going to start a new thread to make some comments as I don't want to take over yours, but just wanted to follow up. I'm loving it! Hope you're still having fun with yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 [quote name='ben4343' timestamp='1427986598' post='2736725'] It's awesome! Probably going to start a new thread to make some comments as I don't want to take over yours, but just wanted to follow up. I'm loving it! Hope you're still having fun with yours! [/quote] Yes still loving it! So far it's surviving the punishment my two lads are dishing out on it I'm really liking the steel string thing too, so much so that I'm going to get some steels for my 5er after using nickels for ages. Great little bass and I'm glad you're pleased with yours too! Have fun! \m/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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