BaggyMan

Its one I had laying around, i think its by a chinese company called Donlis. Its a good higher output type jazz pickups and does a great job. Going forwards I may looks at delano who also do big pole jazz pickups. For now this is as good as the original and a better balance in terms of the output https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32867705703.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.57.4581P1aAP1aAWL&algo_pvid=214ba381-7e3f-425e-87f9-f3b7ee2d3602&algo_exp_id=214ba381-7e3f-425e-87f9-f3b7ee2d3602-28&pdp_npi=4%40dis!GBP!16.09!16.09!!!20.26!20.26!%40211b698e17299496958354213e9d6e!12000034714672003!sea!UK!760833171!X&curPageLogUid=fwvxSc4CaGM9&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A

Put mine through its paces and it running like a champ. Mods: Changed out the neck pickup for higher output, control knobs.

Been using this chopped carbon wrap on scratchplates.. the one on my z7 fits well enough to not need screws..really pleased with look without the screws. Swapped out the neck pickup for a slightly punchier big poled version. Better volume balance and a more cohesive look.

On the way to a gig...'did i leave the gas on? was there something in the oven???....oh shiiiii..."

I have seen models across the range with horrendously dark necks and board where you really couldnt see the fret markers. I hard a P5 that was close to being too dark. .I think you are right the sugars/sap crystalise inconsistently across the timbers used some do are ok, some go dark..

I took a sneaky pick at the pre amp. It has an adjustment pot. Suspect a tweak will help. And then I notice thats been said on other post ...sigh Welcome to overlabouring a point (or pot) post club

Did a full gig this weekend with the Z7 and overall very happy with it. The neck dive issue wasnt really there so not going to bother with Ultralites or whatever anytime soon. General weight of the bass is good so happy there, Sounds wise i like the neck pickup as a blend option to round off the 'stingray' (there i said it) tone and drop in some bottom end. The neck pickup is quieter than the Mman bucker and i 'may' think about swapping that out in the future for a more powerful/stacked and noiseless alternative. The steel fret aren't any great difference to the standard old school one's but i supect they will last longer. Rolled edge on the board is just plain lovely. Comparing it with previous V7's and V3 i found it say better in the mix for the sort of music i play, so i doubt this will be on ebay (or here..) in the near future. She's a keeper.

One QC issue: The action as delivered was way off too high. Not really an issue until i tried to adjust the D string saddle. The allen key/wrench spin in the hole. Luckily i have a bunch of old scrap bridges and harvested two allen screws off an old Ibanez bridge which were a straight swap. Worth checking yours folks...

yep my bad ally knobs!