Dots on the side, fairly low action. It sounds a little like a URB but I have already stuffed a piece of foam under the strings to muffle them a little. Just close your eyes and listen. Your positions are pretty much the same as they are on electric bass.
those stick things seem fun. how audible are they when they're not plugged in? due to the fact that there's easily annoyed peolpe in the house i play my electrics unplugged a lot ...