In my search for a five-string bass that's easier on my shoulder than my 9.5 lb. Ray35, I snapped up this 7 lbs. 5 oz (3.3 kilos) Sire P6 from Sweetwater that arrived just in time for me to get too busy during Thanksgiving to give it its due.
PROS:
After a quick setup, I was able to get the action at 2.15 mm at the low B, just where I like it, with room to spare.
The lightweight tuners are serviceable, and the bass has stayed in tune even with the weather changes we've had over the last few days.
The Sandblasted finish looks better in person than it does in the stock photos.
Rolled fingerboard and fret ends felt great.
The tinted satin finish on the neck looks good and feels smooth, though I'm not sure how well it will hold up on the fretboard over time.
Feels ridiculously light when picking it up.
CONS:
Moderate neck dive, even with the lightweight tuners and a grippy strap, I was having to fight to keep the neck above horizontal
The edge radius front side of the body is too sharp, making it a bit uncomfortable to rest your forearm on.
Low B is serviceable at best.
Pickups lack punch across all strings, even with the 18v preamp.
As someone who primarily plays in passive mode, I dislike the stacked volume/passive tone knob and using a push/pull knob on the bass pot as the active/passive switch.
VERDICT:
Not for me. If I had loved everything else about it, I could see installing new pickups and a preamp, but there are too many other unchecked boxes for me to want to keep a bass that I'm not really excited about playing.
PROS:
After a quick setup, I was able to get the action at 2.15 mm at the low B, just where I like it, with room to spare.
The lightweight tuners are serviceable, and the bass has stayed in tune even with the weather changes we've had over the last few days.
The Sandblasted finish looks better in person than it does in the stock photos.
Rolled fingerboard and fret ends felt great.
The tinted satin finish on the neck looks good and feels smooth, though I'm not sure how well it will hold up on the fretboard over time.
Feels ridiculously light when picking it up.
CONS:
Moderate neck dive, even with the lightweight tuners and a grippy strap, I was having to fight to keep the neck above horizontal
The edge radius front side of the body is too sharp, making it a bit uncomfortable to rest your forearm on.
Low B is serviceable at best.
Pickups lack punch across all strings, even with the 18v preamp.
As someone who primarily plays in passive mode, I dislike the stacked volume/passive tone knob and using a push/pull knob on the bass pot as the active/passive switch.
VERDICT:
Not for me. If I had loved everything else about it, I could see installing new pickups and a preamp, but there are too many other unchecked boxes for me to want to keep a bass that I'm not really excited about playing.
