Sire Bass Club!

[BassicJazzy]

Well, I'm no electrian, so I can't tell the details but see here and the following posts:

Post in thread 'Sire Bass Club!'

Post in thread 'Sire Bass Club!'

Feb 4, 2023

I tend to forget to unplug my bass and my main bass (to this point) has EMGs and no passive switch. So I have spend quite a bit more on 9V batteries than I should. When I flip the switch to passive mode on my V7, does that mean there is no drain on the battery? Can I leave it plugged in?

Nope, you have to unplug to prevent battery drainage; I confirmed with Sire.

• Rod Barchetta

• 

OK, so on the Sire the battery is part of the circuit. Even if the battery is drained it can still complete the circuit, but if you removed the battery it would not work. On my Fender Jazz Plus the battery is not part of the circuit when the selector switch is in passive setting. As I said, I don't even have a battery installed on that bass. On my Ibanez SR1350B the battery is not part of the circuit when the pre-amp is switched off, so the bass works without a battery installed, or so I am told, I have not tested that myself.

As I said, some basses include the battery in the circuit, some do not. Easy to test, just remove the battery and see if the bass still works.

I have a Sire, but it is a P5R and is totally passive.

But I still unplug anyway, for reasons already stated.

 

[mrperkolator]

Any electricians here, feel free to explain this to a poor simple caveman like me, who plays bass but must be missing something?

Anyway, I'm still unplugging when there is someone else around, due to tripping risks, and I don't want anyone walking on my cables.

The switch sends the signal down passive or active controls and doesn't disconnect the battery. Think of it as a preamp bypass than an on/off switch.

And my M5 works passive without batteries. No batteries then the preamp doesn't work but can be bypassed.

 

[OldShark]

OK, so on the Sire the battery is part of the circuit. Even if the battery is drained it can still complete the circuit, but if you removed the battery it would not work. On my Fender Jazz Plus the battery is not part of the circuit when the selector switch is in passive setting. As I said, I don't even have a battery installed on that bass. On my Ibanez SR1350B the battery is not part of the circuit when the pre-amp is switched off, so the bass works without a battery installed, or so I am told, I have not tested that myself.

As I said, some basses include the battery in the circuit, some do not. Easy to test, just remove the battery and see if the bass still works.

As stated, Sire basses with the Heritage preamp do work in passive mode when the batteries are removed, and still they drain inserted batteries when plugged in both in active and passive mode.

 

[BassicJazzy]

The switch sends the signal down passive or active controls and doesn't disconnect the battery. Think of it as a preamp bypass than an on/off switch.

And my M5 works passive without batteries. No batteries then the preamp doesn't work but can be bypassed.

Finally, an answer that makes sense, even to me, a simple caveman. Thank you. This means my Ibanez will drain it's battery even if my pre-amp is switched off and I leave it plugged in, is I was wrong about that.

 

[Suntory]

This Will Destroy You



The bass player is playing a Sire Marcus Miller. I'm not a fan of the first track, but the rest of the set is good.

 

[Deep_Impact]

I just started in a new band and the guitar player saw my bass and said, that he owns a Marcus Miller, too.

Just because his name is Marcus with C, too ...

 

[LeighOnSea]

As stated, Sire basses with the Heritage preamp do work in passive mode when the batteries are removed, and still they drain inserted batteries when plugged in both in active and passive mode.

Guess how I know that?

 

[LeighOnSea]

I was wondering, whilst idly window shopping through this forum, the UK 'other forum' Reverb, my local second hand site etc, I only came across a tiny number of Sire Marcus Millers for sale 2nd hand.
Of course I like to think that this is because no one wants to sell theirs, but I wondered if there were other reasons as well?
This is me being curious, not Fanboy delight, ahem.

PS: I'm more than happy that there are very few as this helps my GMT (GAS Management Therapy) (or the CORRECT acronym for THE reference world time )

 

[Suntory]

RODNER PADILLA playing a Sire MM.​

I didn't think that solo flattered the bass all that much but this video below does.

Rodner Padilla - Concerto for Electric Bass and Orchestra​

Tom Misch​

Isobella Burnham playing a Sire MM Bass

 

[BassicJazzy]

I was wondering, whilst idly window shopping through this forum, the UK 'other forum' Reverb, my local second hand site etc, I only came across a tiny number of Sire Marcus Millers for sale 2nd hand.
Of course I like to think that this is because no one wants to sell theirs, but I wondered if there were other reasons as well?
This is me being curious, not Fanboy delight, ahem.

PS: I'm more than happy that there are very few as this helps my GMT (GAS Management Therapy) (or the CORRECT acronym for THE reference world time )

I don't see a lot of them on reverb here in the US either. I take that as a positive sign, that people are happy with the bass? Lots and lots of Ibanez's for sale, especially fretless ones.

 

[FretRiff]

 

[SeaDunk]

Just installed some DiMarzio Area J's into my White V7. Nothing wrong with the stock pickups, but I had the Area J's out of an old bass, and was interested to see how they would pair with the Sire pre, and they are noiseless.

The Sire cavities have a ground screw under each pickup which is great, so you can tie the ground wire from the pickup to that.

If you ever decide to install some DiMarzio's into a Sire, be warned the pickups are a tight fit! The bridge pick up really needed some persuading to get in. I separated the cover from the pickup, placed the pickup in the cavity then had to squeeze the cover in place. It does eventually pop in. I wouldn't tighten the screws fully down until after re-stringing and then set the pickup height.

But they do go in and they work

 

[five7]

Do they sound better.

 

[SeaDunk]

Do they sound better.

Can't say yet, need to spend some time with them. Only put them in about 45 mins ago. They are silent when soloed though.

 

[Otisblove]

Count me in the club. Received this brand new Z3 5 string from Sweetwater today. I bought it yesterday morning. They told me I could expect it on Monday or Tuesday. Pays to live 2 and a half hours from Sweetwater.
First 5 string bass I've ever owned. First Stingray type bass I've ever owned. First Sire I've ever owned.
It's really nice. Had to tighten the treble knob nut a little. Otherwise flawless.

I've been looking at Sires for weeks. Most are 9 and a half to 11 pounds. This bad boy weighs in at 8 pounds 7 ounces!
White brick wall for scale.

 

[Brandon Shea]

Count me in the club. Received this brand new Z3 5 string from Sweetwater today. I bought it yesterday morning. They told me I could expect it on Monday or Tuesday. Pays to live 2 and a half hours from Sweetwater.
First 5 string bass I've ever owned. First Stingray type bass I've ever owned. First Sire I've ever owned.
It's really nice. Had to tighten the treble knob nut a little. Otherwise flawless.

I've been looking at Sires for weeks. Most are 9 and a half to 11 pounds. This bad boy weighs in at 8 pounds 7 ounces!
White brick wall for scale.
View attachment 7331767

Nice looking bass! The Z3 seems like a winner for the price, especially since you found one that isn't a boat anchor. What strings do you think you'll put on it next?

 

[Otisblove]

Good question. I have TI flats on one Precision, LaBellas on a couple others and DR hi beams on my L2000.
Stock strings sound good. Might try something like tape wounds or Sunbeams just because I've never used them.

 

[Jon Draffan]

Hey everybody

I am back after purchasing another Sire. This one is a GB5 4 string FL (picture when it arrives. Can't wait to hear it through my Ashdown CTM-30

I'm surprised cause there are very few reviews for it, video or print and except for Lobster's review last winter there's not much out there which surprises me because lobster said nice things about it and usually when he does that, things end up being kind of popular (either a cause or effect of the popularity I don't know)

Is anybody on here keeping quiet about their GB5 experience? Pray tell

 

[mrperkolator]

Is anybody on here keeping quiet about their GB5 experience? Pray tell

I thought about the GB5 for a while, but ended up getting the M5. For me, I think the GB5 would sell way faster once there's enough examples out there to try. There's just enough differences there that pushes unsure buyers (like me) to platforms like the M series that have less surprises. We tend to gravitate to what we know

 

[Jon Draffan]

I thought about the GB5 for a while, but ended up getting the M5. For me, I think the GB5 would sell way faster once there's enough examples out there to try. There's just enough differences there that pushes unsure buyers (like me) to platforms like the M series that have less surprises. We tend to gravitate to what we know

Mine is supposed to show up today. I'll do a little review with audio when I can