PB-50 LH FR Vintage Series : Too good for this price point

I bought this two years ago and prior to that waited 6 months or so for it to be in stock.

Excellent product. The red finish is stunning. The neck is so smooth, very chunky and much attention was given to the frets and bevelled fretboard edges. The nut was cut perfectly. The blend of old and new (belly cut, modern bridge) is just right.

I took it to a local luthier to have the headstock reshaped to look like this design's original influence... He was gobsmacked by the instrument and purchased one himself (right handed).

He found the bridge and tuners to be good quality and the factory installed strings were excellent (d'addarios) and the Roswell pickup fantastic. He recommended changing the potentiometers and output jack - which I said yes to.

I was going to put flats on this bass but have left the factory installed strings on - it is an unlikely slap monster! The bass sound is naturally quite bright (single coil and bright strings) but with the tone knob and playing technique it can also sound old school, full and thumpy.

I flick between taking the pickguard on and off - currently it is off - there is no visible routing underneath - it looks so beautiful!

It is not too heavy either at 9lbs.

Highly recommended.