That GW article failed to mention the Gibson reissue SG Bass, Epiphone EB-0 and the EB-3 basses. They are all copies/reissues of the classic Gibson SG bass SB-450 and EB-3. This quote about their reissue is directly from the Gibson site (link to it and Epi's at bottom):
"Gibson's classic dual-pickup SG-style bass from the 1960's has returned as the SG Reissue. With its short scale and slim neck - just like the original - the SG Reissue is the fastest bass in the Gibson family."
I've played the Epiphone EB-0 and it's fast all right. It's so light and quick that it feels like a guitar in my hands, not like a bass at all.
I bought the EB-0 Package for my girlfriend and the bass has worked out wonderful for her. She likes the shorter scale, thinner neck and extremely light weight. Also, to address this issue from the GW article: "Just because they are for a girl [certain bass guitars] they don't have to be pink and sparkly or shaped like a heart." Well, these are SG bodies, sometimes people call them "Devil shape" or the "horned" guitar. On top of the horns, I purchased a black one (also comes in heritage Cherry) and she calls it the "Goth Bass." This is the one she has:
So a combination of the shape, color and chrome Gibson style hardware makes this bass pretty mean looking in anyone's hands. Even this guy:
It feels great, but has some tone issues. If you weren't lazy like me you could buy Schaller tuners and tone control knobs, install new top quality pots, rewire it with a new pickup and throw on some flatwounds. That would change the "out-of-the-box" sound...
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...ollectionID=12
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...ollectionID=12
http://www.gibson.com/Products/Gibso...eissue%20Bass/