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New Sire GB5 Fretless 4

#21
I saw this over the weekend. My old band recently started playing out again but we are doing only acoustic shows. For the past two months I've been waiting on a Warwick Rockbass Alien thinline 5 to pop back in stock in the USA, but the Sire caught my attention. I would really want to play one first though....
 
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#22
SC Bassboy said:
I saw this over the weekend. My old band recently started playing out again but we are doing only acoustic shows. For the past two months I've been waiting on a Warwick Rockbass Alien thinline 5 to pop back in stock in the USA, but the Sire caught my attention. I would really want to play one first though....
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i was checking out the Aliens as well.

funny how i find a decent design, and they are no longer made or not available in my country.

or not shipping.

here's an interesting Godin on Reverb

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#24
antfarm said:
Any idea why the fretless model costs an extra $100?

If the strings are D'Addario Chromes, that might add a little, but shouldn't coating a fretboard be less expensive than fretting it? Or are they using the new Z series' necks on the fretted model?
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Sire fretless (and left-handed) models are typically that amount more expensive than fretted right-handed ones, I guess it is primarily the increased cost for a much smaller quantity to sell.
As fretless models are always lined, I'd think the amount of labor to fret a neck or to emplace the lines is rather similar.

I'm glad they offer so many ranges as fretless at all.
 
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#28
I currently have 4 piezo fretless basses. Two with undersaddle piezos, one with RMC piezos [ which are the best by far !!] and the Ibanez with the aero silk piezos in a standard metal bridge.

I have owned a Godin, a Carvin AC 40, a number of Turner Ren basses and a few other piezo basses along with my current collection. All of them are great in their own way and have their own sound.

The Rob Allen’s, carvins, Godin and all the under saddle Piezo systems will have that classic woody/acoustic sound. If this is the sound you are going for, perhaps the Sire might be a good choice then.

Three of my fretless basses are high-end models with the Ibanez being very affordable. I truly like having the Ibanez in my stable.

One of the benefits of the Ibanez over the under saddle systems is that the pickups are in a standard bridge so the height can be easily adjustable which is a big plus on a fretless bass.

Check out this video of the Ibanez, he is using Ernie Ball Flats:



Killer sound !!
 
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#29
Stephen said:
I currently have 4 piezo fretless basses. Two with undersaddle piezos, one with RMC piezos [ which are the best by far !!] and the Ibanez with the aero silk piezos in a standard metal bridge.

I have owned a Godin, a Carvin AC 40, a number of Turner Ren basses and a few other piezo basses along with my current collection. All of them are great in their own way and have their own sound.

The Rob Allen’s, carvins, Godin and all the under saddle Piezo systems will have that classic woody/acoustic sound. If this is the sound you are going for, perhaps the Sire might be a good choice then.

Three of my fretless basses are high-end models with the Ibanez being very affordable. I truly like having the Ibanez in my stable.

One of the benefits of the Ibanez over the under saddle systems is that the pickups are in a standard bridge so the height can be easily adjustable which is a big plus on a fretless bass.

Check out this video of the Ibanez, he is using Ernie Ball Flats:



Killer sound !!
Click to expand...



great post, tone, and playing!

i had one a while back.

leaning this direction again.

AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE!
 
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#32
Stephen said:
One of the benefits of the Ibanez over the under saddle systems is that the pickups are in a standard bridge so the height can be easily adjustable which is a big plus on a fretless
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Indeed. They have the exact same piezo system in their upright bass. Have individual string volume and height and intonation control is a big plus.

But I think any semi acoustic piezo equipped bass greatly benefits if it has an extra magnetic pickup, like the newer Godin A4 and A5 have. Makes them much more versatile and better sounding. Only having a piezo is a bit limited in sound I think.
 
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#33
MuseChaser said:
Up until a couple months ago, I wasn't even AWARE of these styles of basses. As a strictly straight-ahead jazz player without the time or inclination to own an upright and keep my chops strong enough to play anything longer than one easy set who has been doing my best to make an Alembic Epic5 fretless fit on the few occasions I've been hired to play bass instead of piano, the idea of being able to get a more upright sound really appeals to me.
Sooo.. after reading about Rob Allen, Godin, Cort, and Ibanez offerings, I bought an Ibanez SRH500F ('cause I found one and it was relatively cheap new). I'm knocked out by it.

Then you post this.... With a list price of $559... About $100 less than the Ibanez I bought on a Black Friday special.

You're not a nice person.;)

Edit: Okay, just checked more carefully. The fretless version is $659... Same as the Ibanez I have. Now I just need someone to tell me the Ibanez is better so I can sleep again.
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Ibanez always delivers great value for the money. Don’t think the Sire will be better. I would prefer the Ibanez over the Sire. Also for the reason mentioned above. Be happy with what you have. So you can go to sleep now! :)
 
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#34
Funny… I’m sitting here contemplating selling my Ibby AFB to raise funds for the new gb. That is of course after a review or two.

for any lurkers, Sire makes excellent instruments. And I’m glad there’s more options for this style that aren’t $2k.

note: I said contemplating so I’m not actively trying to sell. No need to hit report button.

edit for clarity: Ibby and Sire are my favorite brands for quality per $. I’m not trashing either.
 
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#35
mrperkolator said:
Funny… I’m sitting here contemplating selling my Ibby AFB to raise funds for the new gb. That is of course after a review or two.

for any lurkers, Sire makes excellent instruments. And I’m glad there’s more options for this style that aren’t $2k.

note: I said contemplating so I’m not actively trying to sell. No need to hit report button.

edit for clarity: Ibby and Sire are my favorite brands for quality per $. I’m not trashing either.
Click to expand...

You could try the Ibanez SRH
 
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#36
SunByrne said:
Bzzzt, incorrect. Not ALL the time.

M SERIES

Seriously, though, half the bass manufacturers out there copy Ps and Js, and nobody has a problem with this. Why does nobody rip Lakland for copying the J? Why does nobody rip G&L for copying the P? Why are some copies OK and not others?
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Les Fret said:
the U5 is just a jazz bass with a P pickup. I wouldn’t consider that an own model. The M series is.
Click to expand...

I always considered the M series to be the Sire version of Tobias /MTD.
 
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