Feature:
I purchased this bass with the "Free" hardshell case (which actually costed 20.00, not FREE) - but even at that, this is an exceptional value. Neck through design, dual humbuckers, string through and simple passive electronics are the main features of this bass. If there were anything at all I would change about my NTB 4, it would have to be better quality control knobs/pots, but my biggest gripe is the finish on mine!
Quality:
This is where things get a little rough. Overall, the build quality of the instrument was less than expected, but not horrible, and definitely nothing I can't live with. The fretwork had a few burrs, but were easily fixed. The main gripe is that I was expecting a higher quality finish than what I got.
Compaired to all the other examples i've seen, my NTB 4 has NO distinguishable grain or pattern. Extremely plain compaired to the pictures!!! - I think mine may be a fluke though... every other one I have seen has much nicer wood grain.
Value:
problems aside, this bass is one of the best values out there for a neck-through instrument.
Desirability:
The sex appeal of the NTB is strong, and all the pictures that are available of the NTB makes your mouth water... BUT BE CAREFUL. I bought mine without seeing it first. I thought I would get something close to the pictures i've seen.... I thought...
Sound:
The tone is warm and fat, but it is kinda limited. If your amp has an EQ onboard, or if you have an EQ pedal, this should not be an issue. The passive electronics are noiseless so far, but I did notice some shoddy volume knobs. Does it have an expressive sound?? Well, that all depends on your playing style, but yes, it does respond differently to different playing styles. Compared to my other bass, (an active Ibanez SRX), the NTB can hold it's own but like I said, it is somewhat limited. So far i've run it straight into my Behringer BX1200, as well as through a Digitech BP200. Sounds really good through either.
Support:
So far, the only encounter with support that i've had is through the Peavey user forum. Mon-Friday, they seem to be on top of things and get you an answer fairly quick. The only "Need" i've had so far in support was with dealing with the wood finish of my particular bass. Nothing mechanical.
Overall:
Even with the finish being the way it is, the fretwork, crackly knobs... If I sat here and nit-picked it to death, I would still keep it I think (Unless I could get a free replacement with a nicer finish)
All in all, it's a good instrument for the money.
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