Sire Bass Club!

[Mr_McBride]

Just heard back from my tech, the zinging frets on my Z7 are from multiple high frets - I'm thinking that the path forward is asking for an exchange rather than pay to have it fixed.

I don’t to discourage you from returning the bass, but it has been my experience that most basses need some fret work to be perfectly level. The only basses I own that haven had fret work were are north of 2k in price, as always YMMV.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

Just heard back from my tech, the zinging frets on my Z7 are from multiple high frets - I'm thinking that the path forward is asking for an exchange rather than pay to have it fixed.

I agree. Let the factory fix it and give you a properly fretted instrument.

 

[aguacateojos]

I don’t to discourage you from returning the bass, but it has been my experience that most basses need some fret work to be perfectly level. The only basses I own that haven had fret work were are north of 2k in price, as always YMMV.

Good luck with your search.

I hear you, but my V7 5 purchased in 2016 didn't have fret issues so I'm inclined to send it back to Sweetwater. The bass also has two small cosmetic dings that weren't pictured initially so that makes me more inclined to return.

I'm also aware that the replacement could have the same, or worse issues...

 

[Mr_McBride]

I hear you, but my V7 5 purchased in 2016 didn't have fret issues so I'm inclined to send it back to Sweetwater. The bass also has two small cosmetic dings that weren't pictured initially so that makes me more inclined to return.

I'm also aware that the replacement could have the same, or worse issues...

Also, since you purchased it through Sweetwater, tell them that you want the bass setup for low string action. You can always change it later, but a bass with uneven frets usually won’t tolerate low action.

I don’t recall if SW charges for the setup or not. I know they do charge to have a bass plek’d. I am lucky that a local shop near me has a plek machine and they charge a lot less than what SW charges ( at least the kast time I checked)

 

[aguacateojos]

Also, since you purchased it through Sweetwater, tell them that you want the bass setup for low string action. You can always change it later, but a bass with uneven frets usually won’t tolerate low action.

I don’t recall if SW charges for the setup or not. I know they do charge to have a bass plek’d. I am lucky that a local shop near me has a plek machine and they charge a lot less than what SW charges ( at least the kast time I checked)

They do charge for setups, $99-150 which at the lower end is double what my guy charges. Plek starts at $300.

Just got the final call from my tech, multiple frets are off and it's pretty inconsistent on the bass and treble sides. $150-175 minimum to level them and then they'll be fairly lower than new so return is about to be started.

 

[five7]

inconsistent on the bass and treble sides
Return YES

 

[Mr_McBride]

I paid $215 to have the p5r plek'd.

 

[aguacateojos]

I paid $215 to have the p5r plek'd.

Inflation I guess.

 

[Mr_McBride]

View attachment 7034595

Inflation I guess.

Oh, I had the p5r plek’d at a local shop, not SW.

 

[Paul New]

Sire owners, can you answer a quick question?

Are dimensions on the Sires pretty much standard? As in, will aftermarket J pickups drop in Sire Jazz routs? Control plates, etc…?

 

[Mr_McBride]

Sire owners, can you answer a quick question?

Are dimensions on the Sires pretty much standard? As in, will aftermarket J pickups drop in Sire Jazz routs? Control plates, etc…?

I’d like to know this as well.

 

[aguacateojos]

Okay, return started but the replacement is backordered until late October. I'm a bit curious because when I ordered on 9/8 they showed in stock, then called to tell me it was on backorder a few hours later, only to call on 9/11 to say it was back in... and it still shows on backorder online. I wonder if this was a unit they had in-house but didn't ship with initial orders due to the fret problems.

Either way I'm looking forward to a replacement that doesn't have these fret problems and am just fine waiting. Only have one gig between now and then and my Spector RST 5 is needed there.

 

[mrperkolator]

Sire owners, can you answer a quick question?

Are dimensions on the Sires pretty much standard? As in, will aftermarket J pickups drop in Sire Jazz routs? Control plates, etc…?

I’d like to know this as well.

In my experience with my V3 yes. I believe the same is true with the P, D, and U series - at least from what I’ve read online. The M iirc is just slightly off, but a dremmel and patience widens the 1mm or so.

 

[Mr_McBride]

Took the p5r (with Cobalt Flats) to church this morning to play.

It's taken me quite some time to bond with this bass. I bought this bass new and the fret work was horrible. I had it plek'd, which made a huge difference.

Anyway, it sounded great during practice this morning. I went back up at the start of the service and the p5r was dead, no output. I powered my pedal board off and then back on, no output from the bass. I confirmed that the volume was all the up, no signal at the tuner (the first pedal in my signal chain). I tried two different instrument cables, no output from the bass. I tried by-passing the pedal board with two different direct boxes, no signal from the bass.

This bass hates me. But, I'll tear into later today. If I were a betting man, which I am not, I'd bet that a wire has come loose from the output jack. Sire has somewhat of a history with poor soldiering.

I'll be taking two basses to church from now on.

I'm trying not to have a bad opinion about Sire, but this is not my first issue with this brand. In the end, it's not the basses fault and whatever the issue is, I can find it and fix it.

I doubt I'll be buying any new Sires, though.

</rant>

 

[Auer]

Took the p5r (with Cobalt Flats) to church this morning to play.

It's taken me quite some time to bond with this bass. I bought this bass new and the fret work was horrible. I had it plek'd, which made a huge difference.

Anyway, it sounded great during practice this morning. I went back up at the start of the service and the p5r was dead, no output. I powered my pedal off and then back on, no output from the bass. I confirmed that the volume was all the up, no signal at the tuner (the first pedal in my signal chain). I tried two different instrument cables, no output from the bass. I tried by-passing the pedal board with two different direct boxes, no signal from the bass.

This bass hates me. But, I'll tear into later today. If I were a betting man, which I am not, I'd bet that a wire has come loose from the output jack. Sire has somewhat of a history with poor soldiering.

I'll be taking two basses to church from now on.

I'm trying not to have a bad opinion about Sire, but this is not my first issue with this brand. In the end, it's not the basses fault and whatever the issue is, I can find it and fix it.

I doubt I'll be buying any new Sires, though.

</rant>

On my M7 I had a loose wire that caused all kinds of issues from loud pops to staticky type noises. No solder on that tho, but a very loose fitting spade type connector.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

Took the p5r (with Cobalt Flats) to church this morning to play.

It's taken me quite some time to bond with this bass. I bought this bass new and the fret work was horrible. I had it plek'd, which made a huge difference.

Anyway, it sounded great during practice this morning. I went back up at the start of the service and the p5r was dead, no output. I powered my pedal board off and then back on, no output from the bass. I confirmed that the volume was all the up, no signal at the tuner (the first pedal in my signal chain). I tried two different instrument cables, no output from the bass. I tried by-passing the pedal board with two different direct boxes, no signal from the bass.

This bass hates me. But, I'll tear into later today. If I were a betting man, which I am not, I'd bet that a wire has come loose from the output jack. Sire has somewhat of a history with poor soldiering.

I'll be taking two basses to church from now on.

I'm trying not to have a bad opinion about Sire, but this is not my first issue with this brand. In the end, it's not the basses fault and whatever the issue is, I can find it and fix it.

I doubt I'll be buying any new Sires, though.

</rant>

That is the worst feeling in the world. Followed by breaking a string mid song.

The rant is deserved.

 

[Mr_McBride]

I also have an M2, that had bad soldier on the output jack, but I can't blame Sire for that, as I bought that bass used and I don't know it's history.

 

[Mr_McBride]

Bingo, just as I suspected.

When I soldiered it back on, the other end broke off and fell into the trash can. A brand new wire has been soldiered in.

The she is singing again.

 

[eli]

I'll be taking two basses to church from now on.

</rant>

It's probably been 20 years since I went *anywhere* to play (including open mics) with only one bass. I ALWAYS take two.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

It's probably been 20 years since I went *anywhere* to play (including open mics) with only one bass. I ALWAYS take two.

Me as well. And I leave it on stage, ready to pick up at any time. I have learned the hard way.