The EM-1 is a joy to play. I don't use a bow and I like a big boomy sound so I use Weedwacker Pros since gut strings are so expensive. This bull fiddle has a jatoba or"brazilian cherry" fingrboard,nut, and tailpiece. You don't need to plane the fingerboard or anything like that for Bluegrass. I do recommend a set-up though. The factory bridge could have been a little better quality, but no complaints. This thing is a U.S.A. made tank. The tuners are amazing and pretty too. All the Engelhardts are laminated and for that matter except for color and fingerboard, nut, and tailpiece material(ebony),They are all the same instrument from the same mold. Unless you play Classical music you had better go with laminated, because the first time dew or cold air hits your gozillian dollar carved bass, there is a good chance it will warp causing change in the action hieght and tuning problems. My EM-1 sounds better eveytime I play it and another good thing is resale value. Go price one of these say 10 years old and you will pay as much or more than a new one. Overall, a beautiful and a quality bass.