I had a blonde, late 80's 2EQ Ray that was quite plain to look at, but played brilliantly, sounded half decent too. Sold it as I couldn't justify having an "expensive" bass. Later bought a mid 90's 2EQ Ray, no mutes, fabulous birds eye maple neck, rosewood board, again, played brilliantly, but I could not get a decent sound out of it no matter what I tried. Sold it and went back to passive basses.