[quote="Dragonlord":1ngbhgeq][quote="BurningSkies":1ngbhgeq]The thing is, I think most of us have connected chrome hardware with our first $200 bass - I know I have. And anyway, chrome is fine, but I still like black better.[/quote:1ngbhgeq][/quote:1ngbhgeq]
That's been my point, just didn't know how to say it

If you think of this as the entry-level bass, some have said it's a good thing that it looks obviously cheaper than Sheldon's Dingwalls. When you remember that it's still a Dingwall, and it's still $1200, it has to look as expensive as it can for the build cost.
There's no danger of something like this poaching the sales of the higher end Dingwalls, even the ABI. If someone wants an ABI, with the FD-3/Mach II pickups and unbelievable fit and finish, they'll pay for it. If they just want the fanned frets, $1200 for an active FF bass is far from unreasonable.
In all seriousness, which would you most like to have?
1) $1325 - Lakland 55-02
2) $1600 - EBMM Stingray 5 (keep in mind they don't get nearly the fit and finish they used to, even if it's made in North America)
3) $1200 - Dingwall Afterburner GL
I know, without a doubt, what I'd jump on even before I tried fanned frets, even when I still loved Lakland basses. (Don't worry, it's the GL.) This is the competition, not the high end Dingwall basses. Don't worry about holding anything back, because with the price point and the fact that Sheldon isn't building it, it will never compare to playing a Canadian Dingwall.