mcnach

I know that not everybody likes them, but... plasticky? They're clearly metallic :shrug:

No complaints about mine either

Don't get worked up about it, it's out of your control

yup...

You'd probably rephrase that if you heard me saying that in my natural strong Spanish accent

But... listen to the sustain

Yeah, he's a method actor that one

That's more like it. If anything I find the bass control VERY powerful. Turning up a tiny bit boosts a lot!

I quite like the knobs, myself The feel of the potentiometers could be better, and a couple of the knobs needed tightening, but the knobs themselves are fine I think. I like that they're not the same as in every other bass too.

well, it's one bassier innit?

I would consider the Sire Z7-5 as well. The neck is superb, a few companies do the rolled-edge fingerboard thing, but these are above the norm. It definitely has the Stingray vibe, and more. Mine is also pretty light for a 5 string at 9.0 lbs.

I have a couple of their Strats and both are fantastic.

what happens when 1 member decides to leave the band?

If it's purely vocals only, I'd treat it as "singer's backline" and it's on them. I'm with the drummer on this one. If you end up buying as a band, I'd suggest that each bit is owned by a single member rather than owned collectively which in my opinion is calling for trouble.

It's such a good band, it's worth naming twice!

Those battery compartments are not the best design, true. Once they start failing, it's just going to keep happening: don't live on the edge, replace it, they're only like a tenner.

Have you considered not playing at that venue? 🤠

As long as there is a microphone, you could always just hum the bassline...

The way I approach this kind of question is... "What will the consequences be if I am at the destination without a functioning bass?"

I already have 3 Stingrays, the thing that attracted me to the Z7 was precisely the Jazz pickup together with the passive tone always in the circuit. Is it worth it? I've played single pickup Stingrays for years, and managed quite well, so it's not like the bass is lacking anything. But I like what the Jazz pickup brings. One of my favourite tones on the Z7 is based on adding a bit of the Jazz pickup, just when it starts to become noticeable plus a gnat's baw hair, cut all treble on the active EQ, and bring the passive tone down to taste. Fat but very articulate sound. That means... I'm a fan In addition, the necks on these basses are soooo nice. I've played instruments with rolled fingerboard edges, but this is top level. It's making it very difficult for me to want to play anything else So, I'd say Z7... but the heart wants what the heart wants, and I bought my purple sparke SBMM Ray35 despite being able at the time to buy a used 90s Stingray5 for a couple of hundred quid more... because purple! sparkle! It's a heavy beast. The Sire Z7-5 that I've got is 9.0 lbs, another factor that is making me like it more and more. Another thing, if you're talking about the 4-string... I have nothing to add. But the 5-string versions look like they have different string spacing, with the Z3 being the one with the shorter spacing. The Z7-5 is 17.5mm at the bridge.

was it attacked by a pack of rabid dogs? did you upset anybody at FedEX? (I hope you will now!!!)

It's not unwanted when so many people use it 'though.

It's true: the neck is superb on these things! And apologies not only for getting wrong the issue with the socket, but mainly because I can see how my comment may have come across as a bit... "unnice", which wasnt the intention but... in writing it doesn't look as intended. I'm pretty comfortable with most aspects of the 'mechanics' of a guitar, so if I like a bass enough I can find workarounds for the bits that are not optimal, but I understand that not everybody is so inclined nor there's a need to be.

yup, got one recently and it is nicer than I expected

Would be believable, if this was the guy's first gig in a pub band. Nah...