New Sire U5 review and discussion thread

[Plutonium244]

I would post the TalkingBass review here too, but he goes on and on repeating the tired cliches about short-scale basses being for people "with small hands" or "children", so I won't subject you to that. There's also the cliches about sound difference which are think are negated in our age of digital processing.

I bought one of these for my 3 month old son as I thought it would be the right size for his little hands. It's great that Sire makes a toddler-sized bass.

Ah, just kidding of course. The U5 is not a "child's" or "starter" or "small-hand" bass. Bear in mind Stanley Clarke, who has hugely large hands, plays a 30" bass often. I'm not showing my age, am I, bringing up Stanley Clarke? I can say that a SS bass like the U5 is great for "injured hands" - finger injuries, tendonitis, arthritis, etc. One reason I bought a U5 was I had injured my left index finger pretty badly. It's mostly healed but the U5 can take some of the strain away if I find I am experiencing any discomfort, which is less and less frequent. I still play the U5 often anyway, it's just fun to play. With my average sized hands, there are more soloing and chording options on the U5 SS.

 

[greenscharlie]

i m wondering how it will do playing heavier dirty rock ?
All the clips on youtube sound smooth nice en clean slapping.

Gonna try that Gretch junior as well.

 

[threefour]

i m wondering how it will do playing heavier dirty rock ?
All the clips on youtube sound smooth nice en clean slapping.

Gonna try that Gretch junior as well.

I think once you turn on effects then the choice of scale (and wood and pickups...) matters a lot less because you can alter the signal so radically with effects. I just picked up an Ampero multi-effects box and it has this "Bass Crusher" pedal simulation that's modeled after a yellow pedal (don't know which one) and IT SOUNDS INCREDIBLE. Massive, multi-harmonic, crunchy goodness. I'm planning to post a video of the Ampero's bass-centric sounds. I'll play with my U5, but again I don't think it matters much.

The Gretch junior looks awesome too, I almost bought one before I found a deal on the U5.

 

[greenscharlie]

i wanna hear that !

 

[asparaguspee]

I picked up a Mint one yesterday, absolutely lovely sounding and playing instrument. Its so easy to play (my first short scale). The only thing i don't like about it is the top edge of the body isn't tapered so I get a sore forearm after a while. Perhaps I need to adjust my position.

Oh and it looks pretty damn fine too

 

[threefour]

I picked up a Mint one yesterday

so pretty! The mint headstock is a great touch.

 

[mmbass21]

I know they put they body binding on the U5 and the other higher end V / P models but I wish the forearm contour didn't have that edge. It wasn't terrible, bothered me more sitting down when being a little lazy with arm and posture position. Ultimately that's part of why I returned a V9 and kept the V7. Can't wait for my M5 on Wed!

 

[Backwards]

I have now had my U5 for two months, and must say that I haven’t noticed any discomfort from the top edge whatsoever. I still love picking it up to practice every day.

 

[Hoigle]

These seem to be out of stock everywhere but reverb. Has anyone weighed one of these? The OP guessed 7lbs (great review!), but it would be nice to have a real measurement.

 

[scott cuppello]

These seem to be out of stock everywhere but reverb. Has anyone weighed one of these? The OP guessed 7lbs (great review!), but it would be nice to have a real measurement.

According to my scales, 7lbs is bang on.

 

[greenscharlie]

Unbiased review: Sire U5 short scale (30" scale) P/J bass
3,78 kg = 8,3 lbs

thats quite a difference

 

[scott cuppello]

Unbiased review: Sire U5 short scale (30" scale) P/J bass
3,78 kg = 8,3 lbs

thats quite a difference

I stand corrected, 7 1/2lbs with the strap.

 

[Hoigle]

When the reviewer received a replacement U5, it also had the same 3,78kg weight. Looks like Scott cuppello got lucky with an extra light one! With a sample size of 3, the average weight seems around 8Lbs.

Unbiased review: Sire U5 short scale (30" scale) P/J bass

 

[greenscharlie]

I stand corrected, 7 1/2lbs with the strap.View attachment 4153752

is the bass leaning against the wall ?

 

[scott cuppello]

is the bass leaning against the wall ?

I got the same weight both on and off the wall.....it's leaning because I only have one pair of hands.

 

[greenscharlie]

I got the same weight both on and off the wall.....it's leaning because I only have one pair of hands.

ok, strange though, those 2 different weights.
Hope i get one as light as yours.

 

[greenscharlie]

When the reviewer received a replacement U5, it also had the same 3,78kg weight. Looks like Scott cuppello got lucky with an extra light one! With a sample size of 3, the average weight seems around 8Lbs.

Unbiased review: Sire U5 short scale (30" scale) P/J bass

the maker of this clip came up with 3,8 kg, in the comments.

 

[Berthos]

I picked up a Mint one yesterday, absolutely lovely sounding and playing instrument. Its so easy to play (my first short scale). The only thing i don't like about it is the top edge of the body isn't tapered so I get a sore forearm after a while. Perhaps I need to adjust my position.

Oh and it looks pretty damn fine too
View attachment 4151959

I have just received my mint one too. Mostly loving it so far. One of the nicest looking basses/guitars I have seen. And sounds very nice too. However, I have the same complaint about the top edge being a bit too 'sharp'. If it was was sculpted there like my Squier Vintage Modified Jazz and my Yamaha TRBX174EW are it would be perfect (those are two fantastic value for money basses too but not short scale of course).

 

[asparaguspee]

I have just received my mint one too. Mostly loving it so far. One of the nicest looking basses/guitars I have seen. And sounds very nice too. However, I have the same complaint about the top edge being a bit too 'sharp'. If it was was sculpted there like my Squier Vintage Modified Jazz and my Yamaha TRBX174EW are it would be perfect (those are two fantastic value for money basses too but not short scale of course).

The more I play it the less I notice the discomfort so maybe I'm unconsciously adapting my arm position.

 

[jpmcbride]

Does the U5 have any neck dive? I'm not interested in hearing about how a strap helps, or any other solutions, just wondering if it dives much in its natural state. Thanks.