| OK it's here. I've spent the last hour and a half with it...i did not get a lemon...
Appearance: This bass looks really nice. I am not fond of red instruments, but this sparkly automotive style paint job is OK with me. The neck has crazy flame all up and down, from the tuners to the heel. If this neck had a gloss poly finish on it, it really would be a sight to behold. The fingerboard is a really nice looking piece of rosewood; dark and dense. Not that cheap porous/light brown rosewood you expect to find on import instruments. The hardware all looks and feels very nice. The tuners turn very smoothly and the bridge is super nice. The pickguard looks cheap and flimsy, but it will do the job just fine.
Feel/playability: The bass came without a setup; truss rod completely loose and saddles too low. I dont rate the "setup" cause thats something im going to do myself anyways. After ten minutes with some allen wrenches this bass plays super, super smooth. It seriously competes with most US made instruments i have ever played. The neck profile is sweet and thin. Sort of a deep "C" shape. I like it. Its very fast. The string tension and spacing lends itself very well to picking (as does the tone). There are two minor flaws. The nut was cut too deep on the d string, so i had to stick a piece of paper in there. And there is a minor rattle at the first fret on the E string. It only occurs if i dig in deep, otherwise its manageable. There is not a single fret rattle anywhere else though, which i am very happy about. Overall i am floored with this. Its awesome.
Sound: This is the best part. It has a middy sound with a fast attack. Perfect for picking and rocking out. Pretty much the quintisential punk rock sound. Solo the neck pickup and you get a nice smooth creamy tone with a little cut and sparkle in the high end. Add a little bridge pickup for more cut. The basswood sounds just fine, although it does seem to lack a little texture in the low end. It certainly does not lack punch or bass. Overall it sounds exactly how i thought it would, maybe a little bit better. I essp. like how its bright, fat, and has a fast attack all at the same time. It is shockingly LOUD and PUNCHY for a passive bass. I geuss i would describe the tone as snarling and ballsy, but in an old school passive way.
For $399 new with a gig bag this is the best deal i have gotten in a long time. I cant imagine reaching for another bass before this one if i am going to be playing with a pick.
If you are considering one...i highly recommend it. I really hate to say this, but i think this thing sounds and plays better than my US G&L...about time i got an exceptional example! I can see myself buying a few more of these. Ill post pics later (no pics no bass right?).... | 
