I feel the need to make one point as clear as possible: namely, I do NOT advocate or recommend the particular electronics setup I've chosen for this bass as a substitute or replacement for the standard Series I or II setups, period. This particular arrangement I'm employing simply addresses MY needs and priorities in the best overall manner; but - by it's very nature - IS far more constrained in MANY ways than a standard Series setup would be. One statement can be made that applies to ANY Alembic product without reservation: you most certainly DO get what you pay for. And conversely, you don't get what you DON'T pay for. As Adam had mentioned (and yes, feel free to drop by anytime you're in the neighborhood), in the areas of fidelity and overall tonality, the setup I'm utilizing falls somewhere between Series and Signature....which works for ME. All in all, I'm getting (and paying for) what I want & need; and not getting that which I don't have a desire & need for. No shortcuts intended or expected.