I had a shorthorn years ago, and have played a few long horns, and Corals. And one Dan Armstrong Modified. They are great giggable guitars and basses. They sound unique. They were great for a beginner, and also if you had chops. Masonite glued up to a pine-stock frame, and the edges finished off with wallpaper. Kind of like a VW bug for musicians. I used to see them typically in the $100-250 range, so I only bothered with the one. I actually miss it.
They are starting to make them again, so I don't understand people forking over $500 for the ones from 5 years ago. But I never get people.
You can still get old parts/freak versions from Fat Dog.
Entwistle, Jack Bruce, Paul Samwell Smith - lots of your favorite Brit bassists have gigged with the dang things.