BoatRich wrote:how hard would it be to bastardize one of these into a vi?
If you really want to do this, get a Squier Bronco Bass instead. They're cheap used (I got mine for $50) and you can just drop a normal Musicmaster bridge (I think it's the MM, if not it's the Toronado bridge) in place of the 4-string bass bridge. Oh and Bronco already has a 6-string Strat pickup in it (I dunno if the bucker in the MWMB is 4-pole or not).
You still have to fill and redrill the tuner holes and replace the nut, but it should come out for way less than buying the 'Stang bass, even used.