The controls have tremendous variation, you can go from thin Rickenbacker tones to a sort of 'Super-MusicMan' chunkiness, with just about everything else in between. The harmonic boost tends to give the characteristic thick active sound and switching in the presence or pick attack gives it slightly more edge, and is indeed excellent for slapping. I can leave my amp on one setting (treble and mids slightly raised, bass and bass boost slightly lowered) and just fiddle with the bass for all the sounds I need. It's that easy! And for a DIY wah-wah, you can use just the bridge pickup with the harmonic boost and turn its tone control back and forth.

All the cavities are screened with conductive paint and foil. I think that the sprung earthing connection to the bridge is a great idea as well. The workmanship on the instrument is excellent, although I found a slight gap on one side of the neck joint. The mahogany based body is quite heavy, but with a wide strap it isn't a big problem.

Overall, I rather like this bass with its elegant simplicity.

Info:

Dormvine Ltd., Electric Wood, Sandown Works, Chairborough Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3HH. Tel. 01494 442925, Fax 01494 472468

Construction	90%
Playability	95%
Appearance	100%
Sound	100%
Value	95%
Cust. Service	99%
Overall	97%