discreet

[quote name='onehappybunny' timestamp='1427740094' post='2733735'] A farewell pic of my Matamp... [/quote] Farewell..? Why?

[quote name='MilkyBarKid' timestamp='1427733977' post='2733628'] To my mind BGM has dropped in quality so much that I virtually never purchase it - this would be the last nail in the coffin. [/quote] What, you think if BassChat contributed to BGM, [i]no-one[/i] would buy it at all..?

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1427738156' post='2733692'] Marcus only plays like that because he is rubbish with a pick [/quote] Yeah! Make him do 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and then we'll see what's what!

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1427736374' post='2733663'] Here are the promised shots of my V7 5 string bridge. It looks like there is a lot more travel in the saddles than on the 4. [/quote] Apart from the obvious difference, they are clearly dissimilar. Clearly a lot of time and thought has gone into this bass... I can't believe Sire would make such a fundamental error. The next step is to try through-body stringing on my 4 and see exactly what the situation is. Maybe I've missed something.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1427736080' post='2733660'] Great review, sounds like a lovely bass... wonder if anyone will be mad that you didn't play any slap [/quote] I can assure you that people would be mad if I did. For those that like all that nonsense, there's this: http://youtu.be/cPKV0QF9Scg

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1427715742' post='2733296'] I would certainly beforehand try to find the best seated position or best stool to take along with you... [/quote] Don't forget, the doctor will probably want to examine a specimen of the stool.

[quote name='JoeEvans' timestamp='1427663999' post='2732879'] Why not go the whole hog and break out the KY Jelly? [/quote] Finally!!

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1427724781' post='2733477'] Haha, dont go there. One thing im happy with is that hopefully Sire have used non standard fittings. This will make it a hassle for me to [s]mess up[/s] mod the bass. Im happy with it as it is......although smaller tuners and a nicer looking bridge might be nice :-) [/quote] I toyed with the idea of upgrading tuners and bridge too, but to do it properly would cost in the order of £200 and as the bass cost £268... mind you, if the bass cost £468 it would still be a bargain. But no, I'm not going there. First World issues!!

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1427724270' post='2733463'] ...I've also read that the top loading holes are in the wrong position as they can interfere with the intonation screws. [/quote] I've had no problems adjusting the intonation or accessing the screws. However, as there seem to be one or two issues with the bridge does that mean I can justify a Hipshot 'A'-Style now please??

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1427712417' post='2733237'] such a cloud of negativity... congratulations to BlueJay [/quote] Yes indeed! Do you think reviews (aka as NBDs) will get published..?

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1427721676' post='2733411'] ...have so many issues at home in a box... [/quote] [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1427722448' post='2733423'] ...my analyst recommended that method of dealing with my issues too. [/quote] I write mine down on pieces of toilet paper and flush them down the bog. Take that, government!

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1427723910' post='2733451'] I see what you mean, at least in that image. ill check mine out later and see if its any different. It did come strung through body, although im sure all the images/reviews ive seen of the 4 string they have been top loaded. Maybe the bridges are different (other than the extra saddle). [/quote] I'm not clever enough to figure out if through-body stringing would alter the position of the saddle re intonation? Or would it be just the same?

[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' timestamp='1427722871' post='2733428'] You don't get reviews on BC much better than this. Informative, illustrative and just plain useful. Yep, great review. [/quote] Thank you sir.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1427723427' post='2733443'] ...looking at your first shot on in the review it seems your bell plate doesn't quite fit. there seems like a gap between the plate and the PG, and yes, the whole does look a bit closer than mine. [/quote] Oh God, NO!! Shall I send it back?? Taking the plate off and replacing it has made it fit a lot better. The screw still holds firm at the bell point so I'm not going to worry about it. That will be the first and last time the bell plate gets removed, at least as long as the bass is in my possession.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1427722893' post='2733429'] As far as stringing through body. Mine is and ive not noticed any issues with tuning or intonation so far. [/quote] Here's a pic of my bridge at the 'E'... you can see the angle would be pretty fierce for a through-body string.

So we posted gut shots at more or less exactly the same time?? What's THAT about Dave?? Edit: Interestingly you can see the single screw hole at the point of the bell plate in my pic is right on the edge of the rout - in your pic it seems to be perfectly OK. I wonder if this is a QC issue?

OK, here's a gut shot of the circuit under the bell plate... it looks as if there's a second nut on the vol/tone stack and the mini switch but nothing on the other pots. In any case there's not a lot of room under there! And that PCB isn't going to allow a lot of wiggle room vertically.

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1427716694' post='2733314'] (i) the through body stringing option looks like it will involve a near 90 degree string break over the saddle, especially on the 'E' string, is this the case or is it just the angle of the photo? [/quote] No, you're right - in fact after I set the intonation on the 'E' string, the through-body hole is actually partially covered by the big, wide saddle so (on my bass at least) it probably wouldn't be possible to string through-body. Or inadvisable, anyway. Not an issue for me as I think the difference between through bridge and through body is minimal or even non-existent, but it could be a problem for some. Good spot! [quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1427716694' post='2733314'] (ii) again, from the photos of the controls, I'm guessing they are as high above the bell plate because there is only a single nut on the top side of the plate. If you added a second nut underneath the bell plate (or adjust one that's already there), it should be possible to lower the knobs down closer to the plate. [/quote] That would be very useful as presumably this would lower the height of the stack knobs and make them less prone to being knocked about and accidentally damaged. As well as improving the cosmetics, of course. I'll have a peek under the bell plate (not a euphemism) later on and report back. Another good point.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1427716181' post='2733304'] Yes great review! Cracking soundclip too... when the bass kicked in on your track, I actually did a real-world facepalm! Awesome tone there �� and only one of the many it's capable of... [/quote] You're very kind... I deliberately recorded the bass flat with no processing. That's what it sounds like out of the box, pretty much. You only need to make very small adjustments to the controls to produce big differences in tone. I reckon there's something in there for everyone, even Old Skool P-Bass men like us...

Very good! Whatever it is, can you get me some next time please?? Just joshing of course... nice one!

A few years ago I had a two-in-one operation to repair an umbilical hernia AND remove three-quarters of my stomach (long story). It took about a week before I could walk again, but I was playing the bass before that, and was gigging as soon as I could stand up. As long as you get help with your gear and you have a 'minder' or 'carer' on hand ( I always do! ) you should be fine. The key to all this is not to worry about being vague on painkillers, but to take twice as many as you need and enjoy the experience. Get well soon!

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1427712085' post='2733230'] Don't mention "Off topic" [/quote] It should be [i]exclusively [/i]Off Topic! That's what you call a good read.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1427713865' post='2733267'] That looks - and sounds - lovely. Must keep repeating to self: I don't like Jazzes... I don't like Jazzes... [/quote] I was anti-Jazz for years and to a certain extent I still am. I have a love/hate issue with the narrow necks. But I really like the idea of Jazzes. I'm slowly coming to terms with them and have for years been going through a cycle of buying and selling them, losing money hand over fist in the process. This V7 is great because it's good enough for any situation yet is affordable enough for me to keep and finally break the cycle! Try one - if you don't like it I'm sure you'll have a queue of eager punters waiting to bite your hand off for it!

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1427713588' post='2733260'] Great review!! Mind if I share it on FB? [/quote] Not at all, fill your boots! And thank you, by the way.