I've made my peace with Ripper pups in Rippers where - play a Ripper unplugged - the substantial body/long scale neck of the bass has enough authority to still project a good tone with less than forceful pups such as Ripper pups (= castrated mudbuckers that don't sound mudbuckish anymore) invariably are. The "V" has unfortunately none of that authority unplugged, it sounds like a thick piece of damp cardboard. The less than bass-enhancing V shape (the substance of the body is too far away from where the neck meets the body, Flying V guitars don't sound fat either, but midish, they even twang a little), short scale, no mahogany content (neck is maple, body alder, it's a combo that works on a Fender, but not on this bass) and the docile to lame pups all combine to a thoroughly un-alluring sound that is both unfocused and without any punch. Other than that, Mrs Lincoln, it's a well-made bass.
Mine cost me 3.000 bucks way back (or perhaps 2.500, I'm not sure) and - to bend the words of the great Winston C. - "never have I spent so much for so little". Taking this bass out to play always asks for real will power, determination and general German discipline on my side!
PS: Akward to play? No, Flying V basses are generally well balanced (those long wings that go all the way back) and have brilliant upper fretboard access. That they are uncomfortable to play sitting down is a myth too. In fact, if you assume "Spanish guitar position" and put your right knee between the wings, while resting the lower wing on your left leg, I find them more comfortable to play over extended periods of time sitting down than "regular bodied" basses.
