Should a man my age have bought this thing?

[Dave W]

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhh whats it sound like?

No doubt he's anxious to find out, but somehow I don't think he would have paid for overnight shipping to Germany. He needs more time to get his spandex collection ready. 

[sniper]

i'll print out a poster saying "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" to send to him and forward an application for him to become a player with "Manowar".

what are  buddies for anyways?

[TBird1958]

I knew how you'd all be supportive about this ...

"running around the stage in assless chaps, slathered up in "body sheen".   

You need to buy a Thong Uwe.........plenty of support 

[Chris P.]

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhh whats it sound like?

if that's important....

[uwe]

I have no idea how it sounds, it's an upper price range Dean of the Dimebag series so I hope it might be the V that finally sounds as good as a normal bass does. The 35" and neck thru construction (or is it set neck) sounded interesting to me. I had been considering one of those for a while now.

[drbassman]

I really do understand Uwe.  I have harbored a secret longing for a Mockingbird for several years now but am afraid how it might look on me!  I give you credit for trying something really modern, I don't know if I could do it! Having never played or listened to heavy metal, I think a bass like that sends a metal message I couldn't live up to if I strapped it on!

[godofthunder]

Well you will stand out, safety glasses for all band members are now mandatory ! Sure why not Uwe it sounds like a well made bass. I like pointy bass too...................  uh a point myself.

[rahock]

When you're too old to play standing up you may have a problem
Sitting down and playing might be tough. It's gonna slide off your leg
Don't try to sit down and play strapless....and always wear sunglasses

Rick

[Barklessdog]

No, but the suit will have to go.

[godofthunder]

 I have basses that I will never play in public, that doesn't mean I can't prance around in the bed room in front of the full length mirror with them strapped on. 

[Dave W]

I saw the guitar version of this today, in black/yellow with a Floyd. The workmanship was very nice. Made in Korea.

[rockinrayduke]

I wouldn't have bought it, but hey, different strokes mein herr. Besides, what Mark said.

[uwe]

Reporting on this was long in the wait due to the wiring being all messed up when I received it. Pups dropping out, a loud radio signal, the works. The gentle Asian lady that soldered it on a Monday morning obviously had broken up with her boyfriend on Sunday evening. The proverbial things happen. Even in Asia.

Wiring mess aside (which is now repaired and works fine), the bass has fine workmanship. It is a huge beast, the 35" scale does make it look imposing. So what does it sound like? Those always active circuit (no passive mode) humbuckers that already look a little like Gibson TB Plus pups actually do make the bass sound like a TBird! I was expecting a more midscooped piano-wire sound, but in fact the bass sounds quite dark (though not messy) with rich low mids. I guess that is the "mahogany-neck-thru-with-basswood-wings"-construction at work.

Of all my Flying Vs ( Gibson, Ibanez, Kramer, Dean DOA Ltd Edition), this is the first one that actually sounds as good as a well-sounding non-Flying V bass. The longer scale, the substantial neck, a neck-thru construction, a massive bridge (not really needed for string to saddle pressure as the bass is string-thru-body) and a neck pup immediately after the 24th fret seem to have this bass compensate what people sometimes say about Flying Vs, namely that "they have all their wood in the wrong places" and therefore sound thin or hollow (and as any Flying V guitar player can attest: even the guitars don't sound fat, but that is part of their middish charm).