The 1024X arrived Thursday so I've had a chance to give it a good try, so here are a few thoughts. It comes with a yamaha gig bag which is pretty good quality, but i'll get a hard case for it just to give it a bit more protection. The bass I've been using up until now is another Yamaha, a BBN4 111, which for what was a cheap Bass has been excellent. Out of the wrapping the first thing that I noticed was the weight, the BBN4 is around 8lb in weight but the 1024X is almost 10lb (4.5KG). The 1024X body is only slightly bigger than the BBN4 so I'm guessing the weight is down to a denser/heavier wood. The neck is 1.6" at the nut and 2.5" at the 21st fret. The neck itself dosen't appear to have any finish on it, it feels like wood that has been finished with 800-1000 grit paper, so very smooth, I.m sure there must be some finish on it but it isn't visible. The necks on both basses are virtually identical so it was almost like I'd played the 1024x for years, which was great no different profile or feel to get used to. A quick tune and it was time to try it out. With the pick up set up it is possible to get a real range of sounds from this bass, everything from a real dense thump to high clear "piano" tones and most things in between. The sustain that it is capable of is definitely in the Nigel Tuffnel league. Fit and finish is excellent, although I must say that next to the much cheaper BBN4 there isn't as much difference as you might expect. I guess that just goes to show that Yamaha take a great deal of care with all their basses, not just the top end models. The difference, though is in the sound and the 1024X is in a higher league. Would I buy it again? yes I would definitely no buyers remorse, and with the build quality and the range of sounds it is capable of producing, I can't see me needing anything else for quite a time