ok. the people have spoken. here's my review:
first impressions:
straight out the box, loving it. the guy told me the back of it was roughed up a bit, but he was exaggerating because there were only a few light scratches on it. otherwise flawless. the intonation on it was fine. the neck is curved to produce a light fretbuzz around the 12th fret, but thats only if i pull the string harder than normal, so its hardly worth an immediate setup. the strings were decent so i didnt need to change them. So basically, playable right out of the box. and nice to look at (i took turns doing both).
playability:
the neck, insane. smooth as butter. when i got my 5 string MTD (which has a neck better than any other 5 string i played) i had the feeling that the 6 would feel better. that wouldve been a sure bet! the 6 neck is wider, but a bit flatter so it makes navigating around it so easy. and to think i once said i'd NEVER play a 6 string because it would be uncomfortable to play (its all about the neck, because some 5's are unbearable for me. *cough cough* Warwick *cough* hey, who said that? lol)
a six string definitely gets some getting used to. playing on the 5 str MTD, i got back used to the wide string spacing and playing that and my schecter (significantly narrower string spacing) consistently i got used to switching up. however ur hands get adjusted to feel for the strings, once you switch to a 6, that C string tends to get in the way with me playing the G string for the simple fact that on the 5, its NOT there. So the task is changing ur finger movements to not let that 6th string get in the way, and getting used to the hand positioning of that C string. This often becomes a problem with slapping (remembering that when im slapping on the A string, the octave is no longer the top string.) i keep fingering the octave note correctly on the G string with my left hand and inadvertently popping the C string with my right hand. just takes some exclusive 6-string practice time which i have been doing.
sound:
i like the stock sound. call me bonkers. i know people's commentary about the cheap electronics and pickups. i guess getting used to that schecter and those EMGs made me like that. (and that Audere preamp gave the schecter new life, so i definitely intend on upgrading this one in the future). Gotta find my sound. Im used to playing my Schecter (4band EQ) and my 5string MTD (2band EQ/passive) lately so i know what settings give me what sound. This bass has a 3 band EQ (im sure immediately u see the difference) and the 1 setting i use for my Fender (also 3band EQ) does NOT work!!!! So im at square 1 trying to adjust and see what gives me what sounds. Just takes time.
big annoyance:
the only thing really driving me crazy is the positioning of the knobs, especially the volume. not that theres anything wrong with it by itself. its not in the same location as any of my other basses. so when i go to turn up, im puzzled like why im not getting any sound, when i realize im turning the treble knob. happened like at least 10 times sunday during service.
all in all, im NOT disappointed. a true gem. and i doesnt hurt that i got it at a steal of a price.
