Thanks for the pics. I can't say I'm surprised by your description, given what we know about Epi necks and finishes.
Cool looking Johnny Winter Firebird, looks like it's over 50% off. What a bargain!
Yeah, I forgot to mention the neck was a satin finish, not the usual glossy. It felt nice, but way too wide. I will say that access all the way up to the 20th. fret was a breeze with the deep cutaway. Not to suggest one do this but, if I bought one, I'd build a more comfortable neck. Heck, I guess I could just build one altogether anyway.
If I were going to buy a more contemporary HB bass, I'd consider a likely competitor to this bass. The old discontinued Yamaha BEX series is an excellent 34" bass and you can cop one off eBay for less than $400 typically. It has a piezo and a regular pup, which gives it a much fuller sound IMHO. The neck is much smaller too.
I've never told my BEX story here. I bought it as my second bass 5 years or more ago and that's the one that got me hooked on hollow body basses! I wouldn't mind having another one. If only they didn't put that "Yamaha" logo on the headstock. I can't get the motorcycle image out of my head!!!
