Got this because of the price and to see if teen-ager needing direction could figure it out enough to fill out our little friends and family band. Out of the carton, tuned right up and has enough thump for performances in small bars where we play. Don't know how they can sell them this cheap, but this thing rivals much, much, much pricier bass guitars for playability and sound - even with the small amp which, even more amazingly, is included along with patch cord, tuner, picks and learner-CD for the amazing price. This one impressed me and the story blows away people who hear us perform (Of course our music is very good!!).  And the kid - already a great drummer and with a pretty good ear for picking stuff out on piano - picked up the bass rhythm after just a few hours of practice on this thing. One of the best "impulse" buys I've ever made.