Hofner being cheap?

[bluespenny]

I noticed today Hofner has started selling the 500/5 bass again (the Contemporary series model, mic, described as similar to Beatle Stu Sutcliffe's bass) after it disappeared off the site for a time.
But it's different.
The first reissue, which I own, wasn't perfect either - wrong headstock, logo, shape, tailpiece - but it was pretty close to the original if you squinted. Nice case too.
Now, the pretty inlay is gone, the pickups are totally wrong, and the colour is nowhere even close.
Of course, the price is the same, or maybe more. I paid $900 Canadian, and the price is now $1166, though the exchange rate is a big factor.
Created a little comparison to show my point.

 

[jazz Bass 74]

I don't mind the color being off, but I don't see the point of doing a 500/5 reissue if Hofner isn't going to reproduce the original pickups. Here's a shot of Stu's original "Beatle Bass":

 

[Peacefrog35]

Like the vintage bass, the new ones are evolving. THe 500/5 did eventually move to toaster pick ups. It already isn't exactly like the original 500/5 as the body is a lot deeper. I had one, it was beautiful. I sold it as it was just a little too big bodied for me.