Well, I think I want an active jazz bass. Don't we all? I have the opportunity to pick up a used KSD Proto J for $350, which is tempting. But I've heard literally nothing but good things about the new Sire V7 basses. Does anyone have experience with both and would be willing to lend some wisdom? I like the absurd amount of control you have with the Sire preamp, so I am leaning in that direction, but I could go either way at the moment. Thanks!
I'm right there with you. I'm in the market for another five string Jazz bass. I'm leaning towards the 5 string version, as I can't find anything that can touch it for the money. The active/passive capability along with a 18 volt system looks very tempting. I saw the KSD, and while they are a good value I think you will want the V7.
Sire for the preamp alone. It's been a while since I played a KSD, but I wasn't very impressed with the tone.
After careful considerations of Swiss Army Bass suggestions in that thread (and paying attention to budget), Im getting ready to pull the trigger on a V7 5-String probably in the next day or so....Got one question: What are the knobs functions and what is the function of the switch? Anybody know?
Knobs are active treble, mid and bass, with a pickup pan and volume. Switch toggles between active and passive. I believe either active mid or treble knob also doubles as a passive tone when in passive mode, but I'm not positive as to which one it is.
Your username is FenJazz, but your picture is neither a Fender, nor a Jazz. I'm not sure what to think of that.
I've owned both and as someone stated earlier,the Sire is better in my opinion because of the preamp! My KSD was very noisy and didn't have that pure jazz tone...I've played other KSD basses and the noisy preamp was always the issue for me. Here's a clip of my bass recorded direct into my interface without any added plugins or EQ.
I've not played a Sire, but I've also never been quite impressed with the KSD's I've tried. If it were my choice to make I'd go Sire.
I'd go with the Sire. KSD made a good attempt at trying to crack the market but their basses were never up to par, in my honest opinion. Noisy preamps and extremely heavy bodies.
I'm trying to lay low on these threads, I'll just say one thing the Sire preamp isn't is noisy. Quieter than my '95 USA Fender P Deluxe. As quiet or quieter than the Aggie OBP-3, which was my favorite up until Sire.
The KSD Jazz I played was junk. Noisy, poor finish, a lot of little niggling things that turned me off on them. As much as I hate to admit it, MIM Fender Jazz s were superior by far. Havn t played a Sire yet, but it has to be better.
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