DiPinto Mach IV

I'm happy to be the first to review this instrument on Harmony-Central. It's a Korean made, US designed Mach IV from Dipinto, Candy Apple Red finish. 34" scale, which seems strange for this kind of instrument. I used to own a Univox Hi-Flier which was a short scale, I'm glad this is full scale.
Nice pearloid pickguard, and the headstock is fashioned with the same material. Enclosed tuners with pearloid pegs. Tune-o-matic bridge which can be adjusted for intonation, but not string height. Looks like you can only adjust each side of the bridge up or down. Body is mahogany.
I think it's a 2004 model. This is the first instrument I've owned with a Candy Red finish, and it's stunning. Smooth surface, too, not the usual lines resulting from poor sealing. I mean it's flawless.
The pickups are chrome covered passive single coils.
I told myself I'd never buy another bass without trying it out first, but for a few years I'd been hankering for one of these, and finally saw a good deal on this one on Ebay, AND it came with a case. I have to admit one of the main things that held me up all this time were the goofy star inlays. I mean, WHY does this bass have to have those? I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. Maybe down the road if I can justify it financially I'll have them converted to dots.
So anyway, now that I've had this bass for a few months, I still can't believe how funky and cool it looks. It's an attention grabber when I take her out to gigs.

Well, this is where it gets kind of wierd. They certainly are high output pickups, but nothing like my G&L L2000 - those MFD's on that thing are over the top.
The sound on the DiPinto is somewhat boxy, and lacks that lower-mid thump that a Fender has. My bass came with D'Addario rounds, but to simplify, the bridge pickup has a nice grind to it, and the bridge pickup -which is located right below the fretboard edge- has the boxy sound. I find I use the middle position incorporating both pickups. Takes a bit of tweaking on the EQ. Pretty quiet electronics, though.
I do wonder how much of an effect having the body made of mahogany has on the nature of its tone, can't help but wonder if alder might have been a more neutral choice.
Maybe in the future I may experiment with replacement pickups, but that can turn into a pandora's box.

I was immediately surprised at how well this bass was set up. No tweaking needed at all. And that's even after having been shipped to me on the rainy west coast from dry Colorado.
Very, very nicely constructed instrument. I have to say the best bang for the buck instruments are coming from Korea. I refuse to buy Chinese or Indonesian made guitars.
One funny quirk on this instrument, however is the pearloid on the headstock is somewhat yellowed compared to that used for the pickguard, I'd say from the adhesive underneath. It's only a minor detail, hardly worth mentioning.

I do wonder about the durability of the tuners, but otherwise this bass is solid. And the weight is very reasonable, especially for mahogany. I would guess 9 lbs, but I'm anxious to really know.
On a gig I'd depend on it, but I bring a backup mainly because I haven't yet dialed in the perfect tone live for myself, so I bring along my '84 G&L L2000 or my new Jazz Bass clone.
This bass came with a hardshell case which is rapidly deteriorating. I'd say if you're looking for one of these used and are holding out to find one with a case, don't bother - just look for a well built generic case later. You'll thank yourself. That or a really nice gig bag.

Another thing that bears mentioning about this instrument is that the placement of the bridge is a couple of inches further in from the edge of the body than you'd find on say a Fender. The body has the usual contours, so hand placement isn't the same. It is a whole other animal, this thing. Too soon to tell if this is going to be a problem - my gigging has slowed down considerably lately. Then again, I play only fingerstyle, never learned to play with a pick.
Actually, this bass being the showy looker that it is, I'd say it's BEGGING to be played low, and with a pick. I mean, really, this thing is almost too cool for ME to playing it. I almost look out of place holding it LOL! You know how much a buxom blonde stands out in a club - well I'm not kidding this thing has looks. Cool, cool, cool. I wouldn't bring it to a blues jam. You need to play glam or at least pop music on this bass. Or surf. Definitely not jazz. You know what I mean.
I've been playing for 20 years now... and over the years owned 13 basses. This one is lucky #13. Hope I can justify keeping this thing into the future, I guess it depends on how much gigging I can still get down the road.
One last thing... those star inlays. I think it's what pushes this bass into the over-the-top category. Let's ponder this.