The Motorbass takes the "less is more" concept to the extreme.  It's single-pickup, single-knob design is a minimalist's dream.  I loved the rich mocha-brown finish, simple 12th-fret inlay, and the oval pickguard, but a few testers thought the oval volume-knob "guard" looked dumb.  The Motorbass was assembled with precision.  I especially liked the unique headstock design and vintage-style tuners.  On a lap or a strap, the Malden feels like a P-Bass, with a chunky neck profile to match.  Playability is hampered a bit by the Motorbass's tendency to neck dive.

It's no shocker that the Malden isn't electronically versatile.  With such a simple scheme, tone tweaking comes more from touch and technique.  I found the approach refreshing.  The Motorbass pumps out grinding, vintage-sounding thump.  A scratchy volume pot was a bummer, but a quick blast of cleaner solved the problem.  The Malden is an excellent option for straightforward players who hate fiddling with knobs to get tone.

Comments: "Cool and distinctive."  "Looks like a Tele bass for the new millennium."  "Feels smooth and luscious."  "Great thump."  "Super with a pick."