Buying a Sire V7 vintage Alder vs Ash

[Bassmaticmatt]

So I'm taking the plunge and ordering a V7 vintage. I'm going white or red but I can't decide what body wood to go with. There it's a $100 difference in price but is ash that much better?

 

[aaronious]

So I'm taking the plunge and ordering a V7 vintage. I'm going white or red but I can't decide what body wood to go with. There it's a $100 difference in price but is ash that much better?

The short answer is no, it's not. I've played jazz basses made of both, they sound like jazz basses. I've played jazz basses made of maple, guess what..... It's sound's like a jazz bass. Electronics play a far more important role on tone. I'm sure someone will come along and say the exact opposite. At the end of the day, get the one YOU like the most. Ash will definitely have a nicer looking grain if that matters. Good luck with this thread, lol.

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

The short answer is no, it's not. I've played jazz basses made of both, they sound like jazz basses. I've played jazz basses made of maple, guess what..... It's sound's like a jazz bass. Electronics play a far more important role on tone. I'm sure someone will come along and say the exact opposite. At the end of the day, get the one YOU like the most. Ash will definitely have a nicer looking grain if that matters. Good luck with this thread, lol.

If I was going for a natural finish out would be ash all day. But with a finish on it I'm not worried about the grain.

 

[aaronious]

If I was going for a natural finish out would be ash all day. But with a finish on it I'm not worried about the grain.

Then I think you're going to be fine either way. If it was my money it would be alder cause I'd want a black finish.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

From my own limited experience, the V7 has such powerful electronics, they pretty much overwhelm the wood.

 

[scubaduba]

Wood doesn't matter on a Sire other than looks. Both sound great as the electronics are punchy and big sounding. Alder is often lighter.

 

[Yolly111]

I have the V7 in alder and the M7 in ash.

Or is it the other way around?

Don't remember, so this should give you your answer

The color guided my choice, I wanted the M7 in black.

If money is tight, you might want to consider the M3 (also have). For $299.00 (price I remember paying ) it is unbeatable...

And my V7 is also white with rosewood neck, stunning instrument to look at and to play!

 

[Lesfunk]

It really depends on wether you want a maple or rosewood board.
Ash/maple
Alder/rosewood

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

The vintage ash and alder are maple with black blocks. Which is why I want one over the standard.

 

[Icon5]

I have an alder 5 string Vintage and it's pretty damn light. Ash is good if you like the natural wood finish though and it'd get you closest to a MM Fender model in terms of materials.

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

I have an alder 5 string Vintage and it's pretty damn light. Ash is good if you like the natural wood finish though and it'd get you closest to a MM Fender model in terms of materials.

I'm between the sire and a really nice used carvin both jazz pu both active both within $100 of each other.

 

[Icon5]

I'm between the sire and a really nice used carvin both jazz pu both active both within $100 of each other.

Can't go wrong with a Carvin either, though they have so many features/wood combos that you won't always know what your getting. Hopefully, the seller has listed all the options.

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

Can't go wrong with a Carvin either, though they have so many features/wood combos that you won't always know what your getting. Hopefully, the seller has listed all the options.

I actually did get the carvin from GC used. It's awesome.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I actually did get the carvin from GC used. It's awesome.

Glad you found something that works for you. Pics?

 

[jlepre]

Plus the ASH has a maple board. So if you like a brighter punch to your sound I would go that way. Also sometimes the Ash Sire basses have been heavier.

EDIT: Nevermind

 

[Mosstone]

Much like everyone has mentioned so far, the difference between ash and alder is largely cosmetic for me. I'd go with alder if you're getting a solid color. With a natural or trans finish, I'd go with ash.

 

[bholder]

I'm a "wood makes a difference" believer in general, but the flexibility of the Sire easily overwhelms that (slight) difference. I would say the smallest turn you can possibly make on any of the tone knobs (even the passive) is a greater difference than ash vs. alder. My ash and alder V7s weigh the same, for what that's worth. If it's a transparent finish, I would go with whichever one you like the looks of more. Alder is very narrow straight grain and slightly yellower, ash is whiter with wide and curvy grain. For an opaque finish especially, again, go with whatever gets you the fretboard you like.

So get what you like. Which is not really much help at all.

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

Glad you found something that works for you. Pics?

It matches my amp. And since I got it from GC I have 45 days to change my mind.

 

[MMStingRay]

Is it too late to fire this thread back up?

Sounds like there was some weight control issues early on that have been fixed? QC has everything coming in 9.5 -10.5 lbs?
Tone, based on what I read and hear on YouTube, V7 Maple is brightest and V7 Rosewood is Darkest tones? I can't tell but the Vintage seems to full in the middle of the other two tones? I've been playing Pbass with flats so I maybe a bit skewed?
The V7 Rosewood sounds like it might be a tighter sound than the Vintage, maybe a bit more bark or growl? (A bit of the EBMM Stringray?)
Also, who or what is Thoman?

 

[pasco jacorius]

I own a ash maple, tried an alder rosewood. The alder/rosewood sounds a bit less aggressive. It soundes more...standard. While the ash maple has more punch. IME IMO.