SurroundedByManatees

I purchased one of these too, for a first try at double bass. (No shipping hassle as I'm in the Netherlands like Bax shop, so the huge f*cker arrived the next day already.). As already had been mentioned in reviews, the action from the factory is very high and needs to be worked on. I took about a cm of the top of the bridge piece and reconstructed the curving and slots. I also lowered the nut slots a good bit. It plays a lot easier now, though I might lower the nut slots another bit in the future. The stock strings are high tension steel strings, of which the G broke when tuning. Bummer. But Bax is sending me (backorder) a complete new set to replace that string. I'll keep the set as a backup though, as I invested in some Presto nylon strings with a looser feel. They're easier on the fingers too. Once set up with the light gauge Nylon strings and playable low action, I really enjoy fiddling around with it. I can't compare the sound to other double basses as I have no reference or anything, but it sounds decent to my ears. I'm still finding my way on the fingerboard, but it's fun to find out positionings by ear. Once I have more spare time I'll search for some YouTube lessons to get the basics right. Funny thing, how an electric bass neck feels in you hand after playing a db for a good hour. It's a full blown tooth pick experience. Fat baseball bat profile precision bass necks don't exist anymore to me.

Looks nice! Doesn't appear te be fireglo indeed, but also not like autumnglo. Autumnglo has a way more soft brownish to yellow fade. This looks more like a traditional burst. Might be a special edition? Anyway, enjoy! 🙂

Maybe pickup height isn't set correctly? Faulty input or lead could be a possibility too. From what I've heard these basses should sound decent stock.

I'd be disappointed and send it back. Why would they apply such mismatching pieces together on one bass... If you can't do it right, don't do fancy tops.

I don't think it came stock on this bass. I've read somewhere, that around that time Fender had a product line of brass aftermarket parts that could be used for "upgrading". I remember a local advertisement where this bridge was offered in it's original blister packiging. Also loose bridge saddle assamblies could be purchases from that seller from old shop stock, and probably other hardware parts though.