Tacoma CB105CE6 Thunderchief 5-String Acoustic-Electric Bass  

For those of you, like me, who are in the market for an acoustic bass I would STRONGLY recommend this instrument.  I was trying to decide between the Breedlove, Martin B-1, and Fender Victor Bailey koa acoustic basses until I had the chance to pluck on this.  First off, it?s made in the USA (all of the above are made in Korea which arguably isn?t all that bad).  Second, the construction is FABULOUS!  I was amazed at how well Tacoma (Fender) put this together.  Third, the neck played like butter, and, although it?s fairly large, the instrument as a whole was comfortable sitting and standing.  Finally, and most importantly, plugged and unplugged this thing sounds AMAZING!  Funky ?wing? sound hole and all, I was amazed at the projection of sound this thing put out.  Even the low B string sang which was particularly surprising because the lower notes always seem to get drowned out on an acoustic.  I also took the opportunity to play the four string version fretted and fretless ? wow!  This is the best acoustic bass I have played to date.