PB-50 SB Vintage Series : Destined for different (if not greater ... not with my playing) things.

Well, I bought this Bass after a discussion with a luthier friend at a summer party. The discussion was basically "how good can a cheap bass be, and how good can you actually make it?".

I've always had a hankering for a 50's P Bass, and this seemed the perfect way to do it.

On arrival we were BOTH (my untrained eye and his expert eye) impressed with the finish and construction. For the price, it's an AWESOME bass.

My luthier has sorted out many Fender and Gibson instruments that have been supplied with far more issues that this instrument did.

We were also impressed at the fact it came with a Wilkinson Pickup and D'addario strings - how can they do it at that price! I used it at a rehearsal and a gig before handing it over to him. I think I may have invalidated the warranty at this point...but it's worth it. I have no intention of sending it back.

He reshaped the Headstock to the proper 51/54 shape (Just enough room, then applying his own Decal), put on a 51 Style P Bridge and provided thru-body stringing. He didn't need to do a lot to the neck (a little fret finishing maybe) and made a pearloid scratchplate before handing it back.

Biggest issue was that the jack plate was a little ill fitting, which he soon sorted. Tuners seem a little cheap construction wise, but they do the job well and I've seen far worse.

It is RAPIDLY becoming my favorite bass. Everyone who grabs it can't believe how good it plays. Even with the extra work to customise it, it still cost far less than a Squier and has so much kudos.