Fender Standard Jazz Fretless Electric Bass (Rosewood)

Feature:
it came with a so-so case.

Quality:
My units is well made. I like passive pickups because I don't worry about the battery dying out. (my other bass has active pickups)

Desirability:
the midnight wine colour is quite nice. Hey it's a Fender, it has that classic beauty going.

Sound:
Excellent way to play jazz and get a warm woody sound without having to buy an acoustic upright bass or electric upright bass. This bass is quite light, even though it is physically big. With my Eden amp, I can really get a great sound from this bass that works well with jazz, folk, blues. Any music where an upright would be used.

Ease of Use:
The fret 'cheat lines' make is very easy for a fretted player to start playing fretless right away. They really help me a transition between the two. The electronic controls are simple and easy to use. I find the bass very easy to play standing up, but, a bit difficult to play sitting down, as the shape of the body does not fit with my right leg. The bass sounds great right away. I can get a really great jazzy upright sound from this. Of course, with a fretless, to get the best sound, you have to rethink you entire way of playing if you've been using guitar fingerings on a fretted bass guitar. You've got to think like an upright bass player and use upright fingerings to keep in tune and play well without having to look at your fingers.

Support:
I have not needed to contact tech support for problems. However, there is a wealth of technical setup information on Fender's website, so people can help ourselves. All the details of the instrument are there, as well as a "how to setup the bass" guide, with explanations of terms and practices..

Overall:
The pickups are perhaps the weakest link. I'll upgrade the pickups with another set of passive pickups before I change anything else. Well, I might change the strap hook on the horn to be on the body, so it hangs more vertical. I may research changing the bridge (to Badass) and if I really get the upgrade bug, maybe the tuning pegs. Even with expense of all these third party upgrades, the total price will still be quite less than a 'Made in USA' Fender Jazz Fretless.

Feature:
The tone and volume are both nicely done. They work logically by not cutting out completley after it turns down to 8.5, and they make a hue difference which allows for a nice variation in available sounds.

Quality:
made OK, like I said my action was wacked out, way too high and the neck was super bowed but adjusting the truss rod didnt seem to make a difference.

Value:
Value's not great. Although I guess fretless are hard to come by. I traded mine for a mexican strat in semi-poor shape a little while ago. I wouldn't pay this much if I knew how uncomfortable it would be to play.

Desirability:
Gotta say that I feel pretty cool playing this monster on stage. Its big, with sound to match, and the fretless part allows you to really slide around, although I hope you can handle the heat, because all that sliding will also tear up your fingers.

Sound:
sound is great, it's the great thing about this bass. Big, fat, jazzy sound which can also be boosted for rock.

Ease of Use:
The neck is huge and the action tends to be extremely high. I was the only one in my group who could even bar to play it for more than a few minutes. If you've got big strong hands then good for you, you'll get a workout.

Support:
Never dealt with support

Overall:
Overall great sound, tough to play. NOT NOT NOT for beginners, you'll give up if you start on this mug.