Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Aaron White
Experience	15
Review date	January 05 2002
Manufacturer	Tacoma
Model	CB-10
Price	$850
Item owned for	6 months to 1 year

Bass type	4 string ABG
Neck join	Bolt-On
Neck construction	1 piece Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood, 18 frets, 34" scale
Body	Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back
Finish	Natural
Pickups	L.R. Baggs
Hardware	Gotoh tuners, Rosewood bridge
Electronics	L.R. Baggs, 3-band, phase switch

I looked at acoustic bass guitars for many years before I finally found one I liked. Most have no real acoustic sound and when you plug them in they just sound like an electric bass. The Tacoma sounds good without an amp and produces a lot more sound then others I have played. Even better -- when you do plug it in, it still sounds like an acoustic instrument! Several pickup/preamp combinations are available. Mine has an L.R. Baggs preamp with 3-band EQ, volume, and a phase flip switch. I often play the CB-10 with an all acoustic group using an SWR Workingman's 10 combo and it sounds great. It fits in much better with that group both in sound and looks then an electric bass would and prevents me from lugging around my upright. A fretless version is available and is on my long term wish list. It has a natural finish and looks great. The bass has a small teardrop soundhole above the neck joint and a clear pickguard. The body is a cutaway style for access to the upper frets. The only negative was when I first got it the 1/4" output jack/strap pin came loose. I sent two E-Mail messages to Tacoma seeking advice on the best way to tighten it and never got a response. Now I should mention I never attempted to call them so maybe they just aren't big on the E-Mail thing. A local guitar shop fixed it for me, the tool used: someone with REALLY small arms.

Construction	90%
Appearance	95%
(Really looks great!)
Playability	85%
Sound	90%
Customer Service	75%
(Respond to your e-mail!)
Value	90%
Overall	90%