Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	K Sheppard
Experience	35
Email	Sheppardk@attbi.com
Review date	March 12 2002
Manufacturer	Tacoma
Model	CB10 Thunderchief Acoustic Bass
Price	899.
Item owned for	1-6 months

Bass type	4 string ABG
Neck join	Bolt-On
Neck construction	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Body	Maple
Finish	Clear
Pickups	L.R. Baggs
Hardware	Shaller
Electronics	active

I bought this bass two months ago. I love its feel and sound. Its great for sitting around doing acoustic rehearsals and cuts through fairly well providing eveyone is unplugged. Plugged in it also sounds great and has a unique sound. I also have an Ovation Viper acoustic/electric bass. The Ovation is a step up from the Tacoma when plugged in. The best part of owning the Tacoma bass is that I can take it around the house and play it anywhere. It pushes some air! Now for the bad news; The input jack gets loose very easily and it was loose when I got it home, I\'ve read that this is a common problem with this instrument. With the soundhole being where it is, my arm would not fit in to tighten the nut. I was able to get my 12 year old son to reach in and hold the nut while I tightend it. After 3 times we got it to stay tight. The other issue I noticed that at the bottom of the bass that the back was separating from the side slightly. It was a clean separation... but a separation. I took it back to Guitar Center and they told me I would have to ship it back to Tacoma... 3000 miles away for a small repair! BEWARE of Tacoma's warranty, they have no service outside the factory. So for a $40 glue job I'd have to do without my bass for god knows how long and pay to ship it to them. Fuggetaboutit, I'm having my own repair guy do it. I liked this bass and almost bought the fretless model also. But I'll be buying a Taylor Fretless instead because of the shitty customer service.

Construction	75%
(Be careful they are delicate)
Appearance	90%
Playability	95%
Sound	95%
Customer Service	0%
(You can't really to reach them.. I sent an email and got no resonse)
Value	85%
Overall	90%
(Because you can't reach them and because of the warranty issues I'm buying a
Taylor Fretless acoustic instead of the Tacoma)