I was looking for a replacement for my Ibanez SR500. The Ibanez had served me well for 5 years, however I have been playing more fretless and the narrow neck was feeling awkward. I brought the Ibanez into a local music store to A-B it against the Aerodyne and the results were astounding. Although the Ibanez has active EQ and dual humbuckers, even boosting the lows couldn't compare to the sheer, raw BASS of the Fender (with passive electronics). Even unplugged, the sound was low, crisp, piano-like. Even more so plugged in. The P-bass neck pickup is dark & powerfull. The J-bass bridge pickup is brighter with a trademark Fender jazz sound. Together, any Musicman would be reduced to tears. If anything, the stock strings are a little to bright for me (even with the tone turned down 80%), so I switched to DR Marcus Millers, and can't imagine playing anything else.

The pickups and tuners are stock Fender, just what you would expect. The fit & finish are perfect. It comes with a Fender gig bag, which I feel is easier to transport than a hardshell, but I'm also lugging around two basses and an acoustic guitar. The volume & tone pots have a smooth, solid feel.

I can find not a single blemish, poorly fitted fret or speck of dust in the finish. I would have no problem giging with this without a backup ('cept the fretless)

With American standard Jazz basses going for ~$1000, this is an amazing value. Although made in Japan, I would put this up against any American-made Fender. Besides, none of the American models LOOK THIS GOOD.

Never had to deal with them, so '10' so as not to lower the score.

Look at it! The finish is a shiny black poly, the thin ivory binding visible from the front creates a dramatic edge. The dark rosewood fretboard with no inlayed dots, along with the matching headstock keeps with the contemporary stying. The black chrome hardware is a perfect compliment. Even if it sounded like crap, it would still be the most 'high-class'-looking bass on the market.

Folk, Jazz, Pop/Rock

aside from a tolerable and normal amount of hum from the bridge pickup (which can be dialed out with the tone control) this bass sound far better than its price would ever suggest. True Fender P and J punch and growl. In a blind A/B head to head shoot out with a Rickenbacker 4003, a US Jazz, US Precision and MusicMan Stingray bass no one in the jam session could pick which tone was made by the bass that cost between half to quarter of the price of the others.

not a lot of features... does a bass need features... no, it needs KILLER SOUND with enough punch to knock the drumer off his stool!!! Rest asured this one has that in spades. C shaped neck profile and satin finish is wickedly fast. Uses basswood for the body so is relativly light but doesn't suffer for it and makes it suitable for all night giging/jaming All tools required for action/intonation setup supplied along with a uselessly thin gigbag. silly little bridge is a minor let down - solid cast or billeted nickle or individual through body bridge/anchors would have been nice.

10 for outstanding quality for it's price. Some people don't like basswood bodies but this is one bass that doesn't seem to suffer for it. "L" sheet metal Fender bridge and exposed gear tuning heads seem archaic on this modern interpretation of the Jazz design. That said everything is A1 quality build and construction wise. All componants are solid, the neck join is clean, tight and aesthetically perfect.

at one quarter the price of my Rickenbacker 4003 ... hell yeh this was good value. OK so you have to be in Japan to get the extra low price I payed but still good value

A neutral rating here as I lost any factory support when I reurned to Australia from Japan. Not an issue as I knew the warranty was for Japan only when I bought it. I know enough guitar techs to cover any unlikely failings if they arise.

this bass looks both HOT and COOL. With a arched top Jazz body in gun metal black, chrome hardware, Black/White/Black pickguard and white binding you could play it straight at a formal dance till one then go down town and punk/thrash it out till dawn.

both active (live) and hobbyist (recording)

Rock, Alternative, Punk, Progressive

Great sound compared to other basses in same price range.

The fit and finish on this bass will rival basses costing twice or three times as much.

Well worth the money.

Havent needed any support

Outstanding one of a kind look.

rock

best ever, nothing can make it any better

beautiful, sexy

last forever!

briliant value for money, got a good deal.

best

the most sexiest guitar of all time

Active Musician, Hobbyist

Rock, Metal.

I been trying to find a new Bass and looked all over, I had no idea what i wanted but i stumbled over this guitar and I picked it up and instantly fell in love with it, it played and sounded better than any Bass in that price range infact better than any Bass twice its price. A solid low end and still delivered the crisp bright high end. I realized this was the one.

This Bass is perfect in every way, Everything you need, The Basswood body and rosewood finger board make this a sweet combonation. look no further.

other than all the greesey fingerprints of all tha people who played it in the store, its flawless, I cant find a thing wrong, I combed it over very well.

I live in Peterborough Ontario Canada, I payed $895.oo+tax. Really it's a steal, nothing in that price came close to it. I played $2000.oo Basses that didnt come close to this sound and look.

I just got the Bass today and played live with it tonight, It's 4am I just got home from the Gig and I had to say, This Bass is awesome,I play alternative music and play live every week, at first I thought, A Jazz bass would be wrong for Green-Day,Third Eye Blind,type music but I couldnt put it down in the store so I bought it, Man it was what i needed to pump up my sound,This is not just a Jazz Bass(trust me)

It's very mysterious looking, yet sleek and sexy, The black finish and no pick guard make it very stunning,(the chicks dig it too)

mostly Alternative and some Classic rock