After a day with it I'm really digging this bass. I actually think I prefer the extra weight of it compared to my Eb-3. Next weekend will be my first chance use it on stage and can already tell its going to become my go-to shorty. It came in a non-original old case that fits ok but not great so I'm on the hunt for a better alternative.
And my fiancé I'm even more impressed with!
Thoughtful present, and what a great surprise that must have been - congrats!
The weight is actually not too bad. Mine's about 10 lbs and change, but the way it balances (all the weight is in the body) makes it not feel so heavy when its on the strap. I regularly gig mine 4+ hours with no probs. Sounds great live!
My heaviest-feeling bass was only in the 9lbs range - an Ovation Magnum. There was so much weight in the neck that it would dig into my shoulder and become uncomfortable after a while - even with a wide strap.