Cool Z ZPB-10R Black 2016
Cool Z ZPB-10R, black, made in Japan 2016. This is no-nonsense and all swagger. Cool Z is a house brand for major Japanese instrument chain Shimamura, who have stores all over Japan. They're made at the famed Fujigen Gakki plant, the very same factory that made all those famous Fender Japan guitars from 1982-96 as well as producing Ibanez Prestige and other high end instruments to this day. The build quality is very tidy indeed: the frets are perfect, the finish is thin and very consistent, the hardware is sturdy, the body is lightweight but still nicely balanced... it's been made with love and care. There's some great little thoughtful details on these too: gloss finished headstock but a satin finished neck, proper 60s style spiral bridge, chunky reliable tuners, a 40mm nut width for that perfect halfway point between a J and P neck profile; heck, it feels so classy in the hands. The pickup is a slightly overwound take on the classic 60s style P tone, so it's rounded and full with heaps of attack and low end. It's very responsive to differing attack, so you can pull warm gooey motown tones or a satisfying growly snarl depending on how hard you hit it and where you set the tone control. The black-on-black look is super slick too, it will go with all your outfits. This runs rings around many USA-made basses and leaves you plenty of room in your monthly budget for croissants and tacos.
Model: Cool Z ZPB-10R
Made: Japan, 2016, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: E160235
Finish: black, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 10" radius, 34" scale, 40mm nut, slim C shape
Weight: 3.775kg
Mods: none
Pickups: VP62-FAT split single-coil
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples on the top horn and minor scuffs along the back edge and bottom corner. The sides have minor scuffs around the rear strap pin and dimples near the jack. The front has dimples around the bridge and elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 9/10, minor wear only