Bumping this thread as I am considering purchasing one. Does the Version 2 of the U5 only come in mint? My taste is more subdued, so I am leaning either sunburst or natural. Am I missing something if those are V1?
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New Sire U5 review and discussion thread
- Thread starter Plutonium244
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- 30" short scale sire u 5 u5
No, they are on order.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...5-alder-4-string-bass-guitar-tobacco-sunburst
Thank you. Yes, my order was put in earlier this week and is expected to ship in the next few days. I went with the Natural finish. I cannot tell if it's considered a V1 or V2. It still has the body binding.
Thanks. I also just found elsewhere that serial numbers beginning with "2N" means 2nd Gen. So looks like I'm good to go. Thanks again.
Hard to imagine the necks on these feeling much better than the V1s which already felt incredible, but Sire knows what they’re doing so if anyone can do it they can.
Pity they’ve kept the binding, it makes the body uncomfortable to play.
Would be really cool to see a 5 string version of these too.
I did not have the opportunity to try it in person, so the that issue you describe is what I am worried about. We shall see.
What a beauty! I went with the natural as well. Coming on Monday! What did you do to shave down the profile? And did you have to put polyurethane or something on top?
Used a handheld flexible sander then finished by hand until 1000 grit then sealed with spray lacquer from a rattle can. It’s nowhere near perfect but it’s a player so it doesn’t matter.
I was surprised the edges of the biding didn’t come loose, but it’s glued on very well.
Looks good to me. In addition to the binding, I was curious what the sanded through wood would look like. Looks great. Nice job!
Just noticed what looks like a ZeroMod thumb rest on your U5. Does that inhibit playing with a pick?
Loving it. The only issue I have is they used a right-handed tone knob on a left handed bass. This problem isn't unique, many builders have done this in the past. I'll get my lazy ass to fix this eventually.
My U5 came in. I love it. I cannot believe the difference the neck makes in playability!
I was mulling over doing exactly this to mine but haven’t yet built up the nerve. Could you post some photos from different angles to give a better idea of how you shaped it? Thanks
I used a flexible belt sander meant to sharpen knives (a worksharp). I hit it at 45 degrees until enough material was removed, then I worked to round all the corners and edges until everything was smooth. Then I used wet/dry paper by hand until I had it perfectly smooth and then used spray lacquer to seal it.
I used a lot of masking tape and plastic bags to mask off everything else for the sanding and sealing.
It’s not perfect since the spray probably isn’t the best and there are very tiny ridges in the lacquer where the tape was but it’s good enough and this is a player, not a collector instrument.
I was worried the binding would come loose, but at least on mine it was well attached and didn’t cause any problem.
Guess I'm a bit surprised that many seem to have a problem with the lack of a front body contour. Virtually every guitar I own lacks that; Les Paul, Teles, ASAT, ES339, Casino, PRS. Only my Strat has one and I don't really notice it. When I stand it's even less noticeable. Maybe wear a padded wrist band for comfort?
It may be more difficult and costly to pull off a contour in conjunction with the flamed top and body binding. I know someone who ordered a G&L with a figured top and body binding and even their custom shop had problems trying to execute it once they added a contour. Sire chose cosmetics over more comfort?
Overall I believe Low End Lobster was correct. In the $500 price range this bass stands out value wise.
It may be more difficult and costly to pull off a contour in conjunction with the flamed top and body binding. I know someone who ordered a G&L with a figured top and body binding and even their custom shop had problems trying to execute it once they added a contour. Sire chose cosmetics over more comfort?
Overall I believe Low End Lobster was correct. In the $500 price range this bass stands out value wise.
