Hey guys, I'm new here. I've had my 6 string fretless Studio for 8 years. It is amazing every time I plug it in. I guess I don't know what the deal is about the quality control issues. Mine has been perfect from the start, not to mention the purpleheart fingerboard has held up to 8 years of roundwounds and still doesn't need a refinish. I think the people that don't like them are those that have never owned one. JD and the gang have always been awesome to me (JD sent me a free gold tuning machine one time and the one I had wasn't even broken, he just wanted to make sure I had it if I needed it). My bass has a spalted sycamore top. The only one I've ever seen. It's beauty is only trumped by it's sound. It's a bass with a voice, not a tone. I own and love a few cookie cutter basses (i.e. MM Stingray), but nothing has ever or ever will touch the tone, playability and uniqueness of this one. It's great to see so many of you playing them now. I will have you know that mine is the only Warrior ever played by Otiel Burbridge. It was at the NAMM show. Otiel's comment was, "This is best 6 string neck I've ever played." Thanks Otiel, I agree! Peace