I can't help you make a personal choice such as this, but I will say after having a chance to play a Z2, think music man sound. More punchy. I've not heard the new MachII p'ups, but the one Z2 I played sounded fantastic, again very much a well defined music man 'Ray bass These are the best decisions to make in life-right

Without having played either, I'll make a suggestion: it all depends on how happy you are with the Voodoo. AFAIK (and I've done a lot of research ), the only difference is pickup position. Therefore, playability and feel being non-factors, it comes down to one thing: Are you looking to replace the Voodoo (improve on its tone), or have something completely different (to compliment it)? This was the issue I went through before deciding on a Z2 then a Super PJ 5 as my next 2 basses. I decided I wanted something totally different from my ABII.

The Z2 is one growly, aggressive motherfucker. If you can't live without the neck pickup, then get the Z1. If you don't mind (and you don't, since you're considering a Z2), then I'd say get a Z2 to have a significantly different instrument (if, of course, you intend to keep both).

[quote="FrankM":14vi8lto]I can't help you make a personal choice such as this, but I will say after having a chance to play a Z2, think music man sound. More punchy. I've not heard the new MachII p'ups, but the one Z2 I played sounded fantastic, again very much a well defined music man 'Ray bass These are the best decisions to make in life-right[/quote:14vi8lto] I've never played a MM long enough to become familiar with the sound. I have no doubt they kill with fingerstyle playing, but how do they sound when slapped? Does the lack of a proper neck pickup affect the slapped sound in a significant way? Would it be similar to a P bass? Mark

think classic 'ray sound. Slapped chili peppers stuff, louis johnson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEtNg_QTi8o), Actually I found music man stingrays to have a better slap tone than fingerstyle. Pretty aggressive, in your face kinda sound. AS for missing the front pickup tone, I ve not heard this complaint from Stingray players. However Music man has introduced a line of basses (bongo) that has 2 humbuckers so these guys get their neck p'up tone as well. Anyway,the Z2 sound like abetter version of this, more defined, articulate, but still upfront presence. BTW, I've been in the works w/ Sheldon about making a Z3 p'up arrangement on a new bass, so I can get that music man (Z2) tone, and still dial in a neck p'up if need be. The question is the time frame, and of course whether he can add this p'up arrangement to an already existing body jigs. Something to think about

[quote="FrankM":276xbfk5]think classic 'ray sound. Slapped chili peppers stuff, louis johnson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEtNg_QTi8o), Actually I found music man stingrays to have a better slap tone than fingerstyle. [/quote:276xbfk5] I owned a Stingray 5 for awhile. I never slap, and that was one reason we parted. It has a very aggressive tone, but even better for slap. I plan on going for a Z2 just because I love the bridge-only tone but it could use some more fullness. A Mach II in the bridge and another "bridge" pickup a little closer to the neck = awesome. [quote="FrankM":276xbfk5]BTW, I've been in the works w/ Sheldon about making a Z3 p'up arrangement on a new bass, so I can get that music man (Z2) tone, and still dial in a neck p'up if need be. The question is the time frame, and of course whether he can add this p'up arrangement to an already existing body jigs. Something to think about[/quote:276xbfk5] I was asking about this too. You'll probably get the first, but hopefully by the time I can afford one it will be an option.

[quote="nastyn8c":1b03wtd7] I plan on going for a Z2 just because I love the bridge-only tone but it could use some more fullness. A Mach II in the bridge and another "bridge" pickup a little closer to the neck = awesome. [/quote:1b03wtd7] So, a Z2 would be lacking on bottom/fullness? Mark

The Z2 is not bottom shy, but IMO it has a tighter bottom compared to a Z1 (samples to follow soon)

If you are planning to keep the ABI, it would make more sense to get a Z2 for the variety in sounds between basses. I think single pickup basses are often unfairly labeled as less flexible than multi pickup basses. What bass is more versitile than a P-Bass? Guys like Tony Levin and Flea get tons of tonal variety out of a Stingray by altering hand placement and string attack. I think the "sweet spot" pickup placement really allows for that. I agree with the others in that the stingray is highly regarded as a slap bass. Some would say it's the ultimate slap bass. Of course others would give that honor to the Jazz bass. To each their own. I have owned a few stingrays, and they worked great for all styles of music. In fact, I once considered my last Stingray 5 the ultimate bass for me. That was until I played my first Dingwall.

[quote="Zac Hammons":390c2v3d]I agree with the others in that the stingray is highly regarded as a slap bass. Some would say it's the ultimate slap bass. Of course others would give that honor to the Jazz bass. To each their own. I have owned a few stingrays, and they worked great for all styles of music. In fact, I once considered my last Stingray 5 the ultimate bass for me. That was until I played my first Dingwall. [/quote:390c2v3d] I have a couple of StingRay5s (one is fretless) and I don't think the slap sound is [i:390c2v3d]that[/i:390c2v3d] great. It's not bad, but it's not my ideal slap sound. I don't really slap that much, so it doesn't really make a difference.