Hi there, been wanting to get a bass for years and haven’t had any frame of reference for where to start. Looking again recently I found a ESP LTD B205sm 5 string and a Sire M7 1st gen 4 string for about the same price (around 600). The sire has only 4 strings but there’s more I can tinker with when it comes to adjusting the controls. The ESP I love the look of more and I know the brand to be quality whereas I know nothing on sire except it is priced higher msrp. Any guidance or help would be appreciated!
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Help Sire or LTD
- Thread starter aferalrat
- Start date
LTD's are really nice, but Sire's "punch way above their weight". Every one I've been able to play has sounded as good as other basses that were 3 or 4 times more expensive.
After four years of ownership, lots of practice time and many gigs and studio sessions, my Sire V7 continues to amaze my with a wide choice of tones, great playability, and rock solid neck stability.
That said, is there one or the other that makes you smile and makes you want to play it more than the other? I’d choose the Sire due to experience with mine, plus it inspires to play well and often. I don’t think either is a bad choice.
One more thing, are you now a guitar player thinking of adding a bass? I did that 8 years ago. 4 string bass came very naturally to me. 5 string not so much. I dedicated one full year to playing 5 string only to really learn the instrument. And today I still, from time to time, play the wrong string when initially picking up a 5 string.
That said, is there one or the other that makes you smile and makes you want to play it more than the other? I’d choose the Sire due to experience with mine, plus it inspires to play well and often. I don’t think either is a bad choice.
One more thing, are you now a guitar player thinking of adding a bass? I did that 8 years ago. 4 string bass came very naturally to me. 5 string not so much. I dedicated one full year to playing 5 string only to really learn the instrument. And today I still, from time to time, play the wrong string when initially picking up a 5 string.
The LTD is killer. I love the color. I have a 22 yr old B205 that has held its own many many times. Clean, simple, solid, and great sound. The 3 band eq is easy and great. Too much tinkering will be distracting. I am looking for another 4 string. Looked at several in my price range. Sent a beautiful fender jazz back to GC. Considering a B204 or. BE-4?
Sire, but it seems to me you're comparing apples and oranges. What is it you want: a five string or four?
I’m coming from experience in fingerpicking guitar so I thought that I would get use out of the extra string on a 5 string. The more I think about it though I may just need to start with the 4 string to actually learn
That is the prettiest colorway I’ve seen of that model lol. Big reason why I’m so tempted to get it. But as is I would have to get us shipped and it would cost a bit more than the sire. I haven’t looked into the b204 or the BE-4 but I’ll definitely check them out now. Thank you for the response!
That’s great to hear. I read some wishy washy reviews on the sire but I’m only seeing positive things here. The ability to fine tune the sound and play with adjusting it so much really sways my choice.
The only issue is that the LTD catches my eye more. I love the look of it and I’ve always wanted an ESP guitar/bass. But that being said I hadn’t ever heard of Sire and its looking like it might be the choice if it’s still available on payday.
I am coming from experience fingerpicking guitar so I thought I might enjoy having the extra string because I haven’t even learned to play with four yet and it’s easier to have it and not use it than to need it and not have it but I hadn’t even thought about the spacing of the strings being unusual and tricky because the whole instrument feels foreign to me. But I might as well learn on a 4 string before I start taking on a 5th.
Thank you for the response!
That’s what I’m seeing more and more of and at the current price this one’s sitting at I think I might be a fool to pick something over it. Not sure what MSRP is for the sire but the price on this one just dropped and is tempting me even more
I also think that's the correct and best approach. Best wishes & good luck with it!!
