Ibanez AEB10E Acoustic-Electric Bass

Feature:
The on-board tuner is a nice touch and easy to use. The use of AA batteries instead of nine volts is a big improvement.

Quality:
The fit and finish are good and wood selections really deliver in the tone.

Value:
Good sound, good features, beats out others in the same price category.

Desirability:
Black with nice mother of pearl inlay and binding.

Sound:
Bright solid tone without any low end loss. I play mainly jazz and folk and it provides a warm expressive sound unplugged for small acoustic sessions. Plugged in it is just as impressive. The Fisher SST pickups provide full range and there is no feedback. I tried a lot of different acoustic-electric basses before buying and this had the best sound for the dollar.

Support:
Haven't had to deal with service, but web site for Ibanez is very helpful.

Overall:
I was just looking for an acoutic electric bass to play unplugged with friends, but will probably be using this more than I originally planned. It is just that good.

Feature:
It's got Fishman pickups, a nice EQ/pre-amp (mine has a tuner in it)... I don't think there's more I could ask, really.

Quality:
The bass itself is beautiful and well-constructed. The tuners are solid, the neck is solid, the body is solid, everything is _solid_. The inlays and black gloss are sexy, quite frankly. I don't really like the plastic that the EQ's panel and knobs are made of, but you can't have everything, and that seems to be a fishman trademark anyways.

Value:
500 seems a bit high, but considering it's of considerable quality in comparison to others in the price range and lesser, its very much worth the 350 that's listed here at this store. It's a good alternative to the ovations, if you're on a budget.

Desirability:
YES. I bought this thing so I could make it emanate it's delicious aural love with my artisan-esque fingertips under the gaze of moonlight! It is both practical and luscious. Yes. I said luscious. If you have a problem with it, take it up with my manager.

Sound:
It is loud in comparison to the Fenders (and other brands) of the same price. You probably won't be loud enough to knock women's clothing off, but I don't think you could beat the sound for the price: the lows are warm, and the highs are sweet.

Support:
N/A, but I've heard good things.

Overall:
Here's the deal. I bought this baby as my first bass. Okay, I know what many of you are thinking: "What the hell is his problem? You're supposed to buy a squier or something as your first bass -- this guy is breaking the fundamental rules of metal \m/!!" That's definitely what every guitarist and bassist told me when I talked to them about it: "It's a waste of money! You can't hear it over other instruments! It's way too expensive! It's just not metal." Here I am, thinking that opinions could be helpful. To hell with that, and to hell with the nay-sayers! I like the sound of acoustic, I like the idea of acoustic, and I like a challenge. They say that playing the acoustic guitar makes you better on the electric. I believe this still holds up for the bass. I don't regret buying this thing in the least. I'm immensely happy that I did. It's attractive, solid, sounds great... nearly all that I could want from it.