mcnach

The Z7 is definitely 17.5mm. Are you sure the Z3 is the same? The polepiece spacing looks more like those found on 16-16.5mm basses 🤔 Do I have to buy one to find out? 😄

I have no idea what you're talking about 😇

Well, after saying I found the knobs ok... I've ordered some replacements. The stacked ones just were not grabbing the shaft properly and it got a bit annoying.

They can vary a lot. My Z7-5 is only 8.0 lbs

There is a typo on the third hieroglyph, though.

It's definitely more "faff" than the old tape multitrack recorders (more capable too, there's that). While I don't mind learning new stuff (I just got a Behringer X32 mixer to work as our IEM center, and main mixer when there isn't one at the venue) I don't particularly like clicking on menus etc. I have a couple of Zoom R16 units that work pretty much like the old tape ones. It has built-in FX, metronome, tuner... But to use it as a simple recorder, you can almost plug and play, it's very intuitive. It also can run on batteries, has built-in stereo mics (great to quickly record an idea), 16 tracks (can record 8 at once, and you can link two units to double all that) and unlimited saving of alternative takes as long as the SD card it records onto has room. The R16 is no longer being made but you can find them used for £125-175 typically. I then moved the tracks to the PC and mix with Reaper (which, for the basics, is also intuitive and a couple of short videos was all I needed to get on with it). Simple. Newer units, such as the R20 have even pretty colour screens, touch sensitive, and you can edit directly... It might be worth considering that route.

This. Yes, there's a period of adjustment but afterwards it's actually easier to play with 5 strings than with 4, for the above reasons. I started playing 5 string basses when I was being a dep for a couple of bands and got caught a couple of times when they gave me the wrong key. Transposing is easier with a 5 string bass (I also avoid open strings in general, unless I want to play a riff that pivots on one).

If the tech rewired it already 2-3 times, I doubt this path would lead anywhere useful... Time for a new tech, the wiring is not exactly rocket surgery 😉

I would get the 4-knob version of the John East MMSR 3-band. The mids module (ring selects centre frequency, knob boosts or cut) is essentially non-functioning when the knob is at the centre detent. This gives you the 2EQ tone and range. The mids module comes very handy sometimes. I don't use mine much, preferring the typical 2EQ tones myself, but there are times when it is really convenient.

My Z7-5 is 17.5mm spacing at the bridge, and the nut is indeed 45mm. The neck feels a bit slimmer than my Ray35, and the rolled edges are so smooth I love it.

Agreed, of the plug style units, the Nux is probably one of the best. I have one that I got in order to be able to learn a setlist for a band I was depping for while I was away visiting family. A Zoom B1Four would also be a nice option. No bluetooth, but in some ways a more versatile unit, not just for quiet practice. It can run on batteries or from USB as well, which is nice.

The sound of the strings I would not worry about. The foot tapping, however... I do it a lot, and when I had neighbours downstairs it was a constant struggle. I would start tapping away within minutes... I ended up putting a cushion on the floor so that I could tap freely

That doesn't sound like a 'dead spot' which typically has a much narrower range (1 fret, not 3!), so I lean towards blaming the setup, maybe uneven frets? Can't diagnose from here. I know you say you took it to a 'tech' but... there are techs and there are Techs. A lot of people just use the term very loosely and frankly are not very good at it. If returning it is an option, it might be the simplest way to solve this. If not, find another tech (reputable) for a second opinion. Don't bother with pickup replacements etc, that's not where the problem lies.

That's good to know, thank you! I recently got the WS-90 system and the one thing I don't like is the battery monitor: it just does what it does until level is low and then turns red. The G30 was simple but the 4-bar green/red leds were perfect.

I used the Line6 G30 for over 10 years. I still have it, but lately I don't need a pedalboard for most of what I do, so bringing the additional power supply etc felt a bit clumsy. I recently got a Lekato WS-90 set, which uses the 5.8GHz band and presumably more resistant to interference. It may still be early days but it just works fine and charges quickly (USB, which we always have available on several of our extension units). The only drawback, perhaps, is that it's the type that plugs in directly on the bass. I don't like that. So I do what I was doing with the Line6 already: a small 40-50cm M-F cable from the bass to the wireless transmitter, then the transmitter in my pocket or in a holder on my strap.

But then you risk getting kidnapped rather than losing a guitar... these thieves stop at nothing! Probably the best is to sleep hanging from the window, with your guitar.

16 mm is very common among the cheaper Stingray5 copies, and you can generally tell by looking at the pickups and the relative distances between polepieces, the polepiece diameter, and the pickup edges. On pictures the Z3-5 pickup looks to be for a narrower spacing than the Z7-5. Maybe the Z3 has an overall slimmer neck, much like SBMM do with their Ray4 vs Ray34 etc. I'm 87.4% convinced that the spacing is narrower, but I'm still waiting for an owner to confirm one way or the other.

If string spacing at the bridge matters to you, check it first. I think the Z3-5 is narrower spacing than the Z7-5 (the Z7-5 is 17.5mm, like a Stingray).

Erm... maybe the Z series, not the V, right?

Have you ever thought of a career in diplomacy? 😄

I think something got in my eye...

Yes, but you said he has threatened to quit before and that he'd rather not play than changing his volume... I have no doubt he's a great guy to hang out with and that he plays really well, but in a band you need to think about the band's sound first. However you mentioned earlier that maybe he hasn't realised the full extent of how much his drums affect reaching a balanced sound in front, and the feedback issues with the vocal mic. I think this has to be the first thing, he has to understand that it's not a matter of someone preferring this or that, but that in small venues a loud drumkit can make the band mix unmanageable. Hopefully if he really understands that, he'll be able to compromise.

This is the correct answer

Can't do much when someone is not a team player. A shield around him could be a good idea. It doesn't need to be transparent 😉