| Reviewer | Jeff Novack |
| Experience | 18 |
| Review date | May 27 2003 |
| Manufacturer | David King BGS |
| Model | Fretless 5 String "D" Bass |
| Price | $1650 |
| Item owned for | A very, very long time |
| Bass type | 5 string fretless |
| Neck join | Neck Through |
| Neck construction | 5 Piece Walnut, Wenge, Bloodwood |
| Fingerboard | Ebony, 35" Scale |
| Body | Zebrawood Top, Sapele Back, Bloodwood Rails |
| Finish | Oil Based |
| Pickups | 2 Johnny Morch J Pickups |
| Hardware | David King Bridge, Chrome Finish |
| Electronics | Passive Pickups, Active EMG Preamp with Sweeapable Midrange |
First off, the construction on this bass is outstanding. The woods look great and the body has a nicely countoured design with a built in thumbrest that runs the length of the body (a King Bass signature.) The bass just feel comfortable when you play it and since it's headless it balances very well either sitting or standing. I have to admit it took me awhile to get used to not having a headstock, but now it's like second nature to me.
The Playability of this bass is unlike most other basses I have tried with the exception of a couple of very high end boutique basses. Everyone who I've played this thing for cannot get over the smoothness and growl of this bass. It's got that Jaco tone that's so hard to find on many fretless basses.
One minor complaint that I've had is the Morch pickups seem to be very sensitive and pickup interference sometimes. I've talked to David about this and this is really more of a pickup issue than an issue with the bass itself and one day I may replace them, but I'm afraid it'll change the sound :)
Overall, I can't say enough about this bass. In fact, I'm so happy with it that I currently have David working on a a fretted five to compliment it and will post a review when it's done.
| Construction | 100% |
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| Appearance | 100% |
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| Playability | 100% |
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| Sound | 100% |
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| Customer Service | 100% |
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| Value | 100% |
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| Overall | 100% |
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