Overwater Perception Standard Deluxe 5 String

Purchased from Overwater (Carlisle-UK) in Feb 2009. 24 Fret, 35" scale, 5-String Standard Deluxe Perception Bass with modification fitted. Solid Rosewood top. Controls include a master volume with push-pull function (gives an extra dimesion of sound ideal for slapping); rotary pot pick-up selector that graduates and blends the sound between the bridge-both-neck pick-ups; 3 tone controls for cut/boost functions to bass, mid, treble. Pick-ups are Overwaters own soapbar type-5 with standard plastic covers, wooden covers are avail at extra modifications costs. Electronics are active to run the Overwater 3-band EQ pre-amp. Body is solid wood European Walnut; bolt-on neck is 3-piece maple with Indian Rosewood fingerboard. Body is smaller size, high polished & satin finish. Tuners are polished chrome effect Gotoh's, and the bridge is a standard fitting chrome effect Hipshot Style B. I had a the Overwater guys fit a ramp between the pick-ups (A La - Matt Garrison, Richard Bona etc) before I purchased the guitar. The bass came with hex key tools for the truss rod and bridge, as well as a black, fur lined flight case.

I play a combination of styles from funky acid jazz, to rock/pop cabaret covers. Mainly live and rehearsal studio rather than recording. The bass is very versatile in sound and suits all my needs. The 3-band active EQ is super noisless and allows for a wide variation of sound. I played a similar (but slightly older) 2-band active EQ perception a few weeks before ordering this bass. I found the low-B on that occasion to be a bit lost and thudding, just not a true extension of the E-string. I was assured by Chris at Overwater that the 3-band EQ on the more modern style would remedy that effect, and boy does it! His advice was as sound as the low-B coming out of this fella. The B is deep and mellow but with plenty of attack. A true extension of the E string. I use a Carvin R1000 (1k watt) head with Peavy 4x10 & Peavy 1x15 cabs loaded with original Black Widows. The Carvin is all mod-cons with 11-band EQ and plenty of other gizzmo's that would make a sub-standard bass guitar sing. The controls on this bass, and subsequent sounds avail, mean I dont use the head at all during the gig. Apart from the initial sound check. I especially like the pull/push facility on the volume control, ideal for delivering a slap sound on funky numbers. I also like the graduated potentiometer control for the pick-up selector. Rather than an all or nothing sound (from switched selectors) for both pick-ups, bridge or neck you can control the amount of tone delivered from somewhere between the two. A mid position click gives a true representation of both pick-ups so no confusion of where you are ensues. The overall sound of this bass is fantastic; warm, clear rich, dark and full but with plenty of top end attack. However, its the middle range of tones that bring this bass to life. I dont mean the growling honk of a Warwick, more of a clearly defined classical piano. Some might say its a bit too clean warm and clear, but hey, its very subjective what we want from an instrument. I like this bass a lot and can never see myself ever parting with it..

The bass looks awsome, a real head turner. Deep, but not too dark, Rosewood solid top on a European Walnut body - beautiful. The wood grain is fantastic. The Indian Rosewood finger board is smooth and sleak to touch, combined with equally smooth and precisely fitted frets the playing surface is effortless. This may also be in part to the shallow feel of the curved neck. Not at all bulky and cumbersome. The ramp modification I had fitted between the pickups was flawless. It looks at one with the bass and marrys-up to the pickups perfectly. Its a different style of wood from the solid Rosewood top, but I prefer it that way coz it looks the part and it is certainly more durable. It perfects my style of playing. The controls are solid, velvet in turning texture and absolutely noise free. The middle position on some of the controls clicks with an assured confidence. The jack socket has a locking mechanism to prevent the cable from being pulled out, a problem with some bass guitars that have a socket located in similar place on the bottom edge. All other hardware is fitted tight and securely with no blemishes to the surrounding finish of the body or neck. These guys really know how to build a quality instrument. The factory settings for intonation where spot-on and the action was adequate. Action really is subjective, depending upon your playing style and needs. After only an hour of adjusting the truss-rod and bridge I had the action nice and low, with no dead spots anywhere on the neck. My first gig showed my settings to be perfect, as the evening got warmer the neck suffered no notable warping so the action didnt suffer. If anything, I found the factory settings to be a bit conservative - High bridge and straight neck. That said, it was a good staring point from whish to start. I just cant fault the fit, finish and subsequent action of this bass. Even the packaging and fit in the supplied flight case was excellent.

I haven't owned this bass long enough to say. However, for a fairly light bass it feels rock solid and packs a clear sonic punch in the sound department. Everything just feels and looks right. The Gotoh and Hipshot hardwear are already tried and tested so I dont see any short term problems. I have played this bass live only once so far, but to be fair I have owned it for 4 days. The finish of the bass and the subsequent price tag dictates that I will consider the settings of my veniew before taking this fella to the gig. I am pretty sure that this bass is more than capable of handling a full night (consisting of 2-3 sets) but I would always have a back-up bass just in case. I would give this score a 10 but I am knocking back to a 9 coz I have only owned this bass for a very short period of time. Fairly sure it deserves a 10 though!

Chris and Laurence at Overwater have been great to talk too. You can even have a nice chat about music and styles in general, kind of guys you could share a drink with at a bar. They are helpful, insightful and obviously understand their product. I told Chris what I wanted in terms of look, feel, sound and price. I also discussed the ramp modification. He got it all just right, I am eternally grateful. Before buying this bass I considered another 5-string from a famous German company, and another from an equally famous Japanese manufacturer. Really glad I went the Overwater route. With Overwater making instruments for over 30 years I see no probs with future support - if needed.

Being playing bass guitar for nearly 20 years. This is arguably the most expensive bass I have owned, and certainly the only one I have purchased from new. Often preferring something with a bit more played-in character. Recently sold a 4-string Jaydee Supernatural to fund this purchase. Other basses include a 5-string Yamaha TRB and a 4-string Musicman Stingray. So impressed by the bass and the service I recieved that I am toying with the idea of selling one of the other instruments to fund another purchase, but it might be a bit narrow minded of me to go Overwater exclusive with my collection - watch this space!