Feature:
As with all other Fender basses (except for Japan) this bass has a rather crappy bridge. That said, it's easier than working around the horrible Rickenbacker bridge. It aint a G&L bridge (10), but you can make it very workable by careful adjustment. Don't hit it with a hammer.
The pickup is to die for. It sounds just right. The controls function nominally.
The neck is the star of this show. One-piece maple in the old-school fashion. No separate fretboard here. Just perfect, except the fret ends need to be dressed. They won't wound you, but they could be smoother.
Quality:
The fret ends need dressing. Otherwise perfect.
Value:
For around $600.00 US you cannot get a better bass new. It's a player and a looker and sounds fabulous.
Desirability:
Beautiful bass; plenty of sex appeal for women who are disinclined to guitar heros yet want to do the bass guy. This instrument is presentable from a prom to an iconoclastic glue-head fest. None other. Arguably the best-looking bass on the planet.
Sound:
This is a breakthrough for Fender Mexico. The sound is just great. The combination of body, neck and pickup is superb. Literally, this instrument sounds just the same as an old P-Bass.
Ease of Use:
Who can't figure out how to use a P-Bass?
Support:
Granted, Fender gets too many requests for BS at any given minute. Yet, I don't like that I can't communicate with Official Fender.
Overall:
This bass has de facto replaced my Hotrod P-Bass. I'll wear it out and hope I can buy another new (but Fender seems not to remember history while remembering its history). Crappy bridge, less-than perfect fret ends; you can wank it hard and it doesn't gripe. Softly it brings tears, particularly when played finger-style at the neck end. This is a professional instrument at an amazing price. It sounds that good. Poplar body. Nice.
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