Workmanship is very good; I can't find a significant flaw in terms of construction or finish. This most recent model has an attractive 3+2 headstock, painted black, and a flat, very thin and smooth finish on the back of its slim neck. The truss rod works very smoothly and is very effective for setting just the right amount relief for growl or whatever you want, based on your favorite strings and style. The end of the fingerboard tapers nicely into the body, and the bolt-in has no play. Nice solid bridge, too, which I have since drilled for through-body string mounting. String spacing is pretty narrow (2 5/8" at the bridge, outside measure), which is a little tight for me but a matter of personal preference. All the hardware is gold colored, and has stood up well to use.

However, if I had tried this bass, as received, in a store, I wouldn't have bought it -- the original Gibson set's B string was awful, as if it were from a different set and bass, characteristic of some cheaper fives. However, with new sets of both roundwounds (DR Sunbeams) and flats (D'Addario Chromes) a replacement set, the B and E strings are wonderful; it's almost as if the E and B feel like a regular bass' A and E. I've played fives three times the price that didn't feel as solid or respond as well.

The only real weak point, as is with most basses at this level (and made in Korea), is the electronics -- not the best pickups in the world, but they are not unpleasant or even objectionable -- they could just be better. My only complaint is that I found the character of the G-D string response differing slightly from the rest of the strings when favoring the split P-bass pickup, but the difference is subtle - I notice, but others don't. The active controls can get a bit radical when run all the way to max -- a more subtle approach would have been better, but between the P/J combination, pickup pan and treble/bass controls, you can get a nice range of sounds.

It's not easy to find an inexpensive fretless five -- this is a great and frugal way to see if you can get a handle on a fretless five string before investing a lot of money. And frankly, with the possible exception of replacing the P-bass pickup, there is nothing wrong with making it one of your primary instruments.

Construction	100%
Playability	95%
Appearance	100%
Sound	90%
Value	150%
Overall	98%