The new to me Jackson got some exercise in band practice last night. The guitarist loved it. It is a whole lot louder and woolier than a Thunderbird because it is active and I didn't adjust the amp volume. He thinks that means it has more sustain. *shrug* I don't think it sounds great, but I haven't sorted out strings or what the preamp really does yet.
It has a three band EQ, a blend knob, and a volume knob. I can't say that I have spent enough time with it to know where any sweet spots are with the sound. It dives like a Stuka! The upper strap button has to move to the heel of the neck. I'll be drilling a hole in the neck plate to do that sometime this week. The chip in the poly is getting slowly filled up with more poly, although the way it chipped means that I'll eventually have to sand the original finish flush where it came up. I thought about trying to glue it an clamp it down, but the usual project speed around here meant that it would never happen.
I think it has Fender strings on it. It could use brighter strings to overcome the wool a bit. If I can get the balance to work, and as long as the guitarist likes the way it sounds, I'm OK with it. It's not a Thunderbird, and it sure doesn't sound like a Thunderbird, but it will do for this band. I thought I would hate the flattened out neck, but I'm finding that it works really well with the extra string. My fingers got a little confused by the extra string for a while. It should be easier once the balance is sorted.