Have had my U-Bass about a month and absolutely love it. Took it to Abbey Road on The River Beatles festival over Memorial day weekend to use at the all night jam sessions in the hotel. Quite a few top notch bass players from bands playing at the festival played it and loved it as well, they were waiting in line to get a chance to play it, it was played by others more than me, which was OK because they were all awesome. Everyone who played it wanted to get one until...I told them how much it cost (I have the spruce top model $414 at Sam Ash) Guess my point in all this is to wonder why they do cost so much? Was hoping the new solid body would be a bit more affordable, but no, solid ash body $996. C'mon Kala, this instrument does not need solid wood, make a laminate, for around $200 and sell a million of them.