Roger, being pretty new to the bass world, and living in a small town where the main music store that I prefer to work with doesn't carry Fender gear, I've never really had the opportunity to play one. However, I've never really been bothered by that because I haven't cared much for their looks. I know that's not the most important criteria for selecting a bass, but for an inexperienced player like myself who doesn't really have a specific sound in my head yet that I am trying to acheive, it probably carries more weight than it should.

Anyway, I said all that just to say this... Seeing your "orphan" has changed my mind about the aesthetic possibilities of Fenders. I have finally seen one that I consider to be absolutely stunning in appearance!

David, Don't take offense....many Fenders are actually quite boring looking, as they always come with ugly plastic knobs, and horrible White pickguards. You may not like the vintage sunburst look either...? Just a thought.

Usually pickguards dramatically offset the body color, but I decided to try going with a similar color, and luckily it worked out.

Thanks for the compliments....check out Vern's HP and look at his Fender Jazz...I think it's the sweetest looking one that I've seen.

Hey David:
The next time you go to a larger town I recommend playing a Fender. Looks are important, but the comfort of the instrument, the sounds you can produce with it, and its reliability not to break down during a live session should be your top priorities. Fenders are plug and play...

I own 5 basses and have owned many more over the years, but nothing comes close to my 2 Fenders in my opinion. Fender is very stingey with lefty players, so I am certainly not defending the company, however, if P and J basses are still so successful after 50 years on the market, there's go to be a reason. Give an MIA a try, you won't regret it (your bank manager might though...LOL)!!

Thanks for the recommendation, Thomas. I've always figured that some day I'd get around to branching out and trying some other instruments. Right now I'm almost afraid to for fear that I might fall in love with something that I'm not in a position to afford. But next time I'm in the market for a new bass, I'll definitely go out and try lots of different things (including some Fenders).

She looks really fab Roger. Bet she sounds out of this world too!

D Silbag!

Thanks Pete....she definitely is a pleasure to play.

There's a live review of the Audere on www.bassplayer.tv Find the basses and gear preview link. The reviewer demonstrates the various Zmode settings, etc.

thanks Garry....i checked it out a few days before I ordered mine, and I read the review in the magazine.

Pretty cool to be able to hear it first - instead of just trying to figure out what the reviewer means by whatever adjectives he's throwing around. The Audere Zmode is pretty impressive - I think the Zmode alone sways me toward the Audere and away from the J-Retro for my next project. Enjoy!