I bought this about six months ago and haven't played it outside the house. It has vintage "tea cup" controls and awesome flats set up by the retail seller. Description is below: The Hofner HCT 500/1 is the contemporary series version of the famous Beatle Bass by Hofner, upgraded from the Icon series. The CT Series is an almost exact copy in the true sense of the word, it's hard tell it apart, side by side, with the German made instrument. Features include a sustain block inside the body that makes for a modern deep resonating bass with superior sustain. Comes with the original Höfner (German made) 'Staple-Top' pick-ups, Zero Fret, Binding, Parchment tinted pickguard and control panel. Has both "tea-cup" knobs and flat-wound strings set up by the retailer (at least $50 value) SPECIFICATIONS: Maple body with spruce top Set in maple neck Pearloid button tuners German made Staple Pick Ups Rosewood fingerboard with zero fret Bound Neck and Head Stock Finish looks exactly like the German made Bass Block Inside making it Semi Hollow with more Sustain 30 in. scale 1 5/8" neck width at nut Ebony based bridge with trapeze tailpiece Volume with solo boost Includes Hard shell Case