Sire Bass Club!

[Plutonium244]

grats in advance.....btw, mine comes today,too....got a message from ups its out for delivery so im getting it a day early

I had them hold mine for pickup at UPS, since I knew I wouldn't be home for delivery; and also pickup means I can get it at 8:30 AM instead of whenever in the afternoon, if I were home, during the day.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Finally! Been waiting a looooong time to see the M series basses soooooooo Pics or it didn't happen! Haha
How about a new thread devoted to the M's, I think there will be plenty of members here in the coming months.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Does anyone know if the new Vintage series basses have satin neck finish like the 75 RI basses from earlier this year?

 

[Plutonium244]

Finally! Been waiting a looooong time to see the M series basses soooooooo Pics or it didn't happen! Haha
How about a new thread devoted to the M's, I think there will be plenty of members here in the coming months.

There actually is an M series thread: Sire M Series Bass Club

It has gotten less traffic in the past, maybe that'll change. As a result M series stuff gets posted here too for more eyeballs. I think posts can go both places since this isn't exclusively a "V7" thread.

I hope to post a few pics later or tomorrow. Lighter weight, flatter fretboard radius, the satin neck finish and seemingly pretty thin neck, and the variability of the pickup selection switches are the first couple of things that caught my attention in the five minutes of handling it I had this morning. The neck seems very negotiable-- comfortable to play and move on.

Not sure I am excited about the maple top job they did with my brown bass, the flame seems to be non-existent in one area. I will solicit your opinions, it's not terrible, but after all this anticipation I am expecting a lot in every department, maybe too much. @roccobass 's finish seems nicer to me at this moment, but of course all assessments are subject to change as I actually get to spend time with it . No opinion as to tone yet since I had but a few minutes at very quiet volumes to play it.

 

[qbury]

Just arrived! It is extremely light, which is a departure from my V7 5st which is rather heavy.

Natural tone with everything flat, pickups parallel/mid is brighter than expected.

Doesn't have the beef of my L2K (wasn't expecting it too), but there are enough tones, and it is extremely comfortable to play....It might just replace it :O but only after playing around a lot more

I'm curious

There actually is an M series thread: Sire M Series Bass Club

It has gotten less traffic in the past, maybe that'll change. As a result M series stuff gets posted here too for more eyeballs. I think posts can go both places since this isn't exclusively a "V7" thread.

I hope to post a few pics later or tomorrow. Lighter weight, flatter fretboard radius, the satin neck finish and seemingly pretty thin neck, and the variability of the pickup selection switches are the first couple of things that caught my attention in the five minutes of handling it I had this morning. The neck seems very negotiable-- comfortable to play and move on.

Not sure I am excited about the maple top job they did with my brown bass, the flame seems to be non-existent in one area. I will solicit your opinions, it's not terrible, but after all this anticipation I am expecting a lot in every department, maybe too much. @roccobass 's finish seems nicer to me at this moment, but of course all assessments are subject to change as I actually get to spend time with it . No opinion as to tone yet since I had but a few minutes at very quiet volumes to play it.

How's the setup? Any fret buzz?

 

[baileyboy1]

There actually is an M series thread: Sire M Series Bass Club

It has gotten less traffic in the past, maybe that'll change. As a result M series stuff gets posted here too for more eyeballs. I think posts can go both places since this isn't exclusively a "V7" thread.

I hope to post a few pics later or tomorrow. Lighter weight, flatter fretboard radius, the satin neck finish and seemingly pretty thin neck, and the variability of the pickup selection switches are the first couple of things that caught my attention in the five minutes of handling it I had this morning. The neck seems very negotiable-- comfortable to play and move on.

Not sure I am excited about the maple top job they did with my brown bass, the flame seems to be non-existent in one area. I will solicit your opinions, it's not terrible, but after all this anticipation I am expecting a lot in every department, maybe too much. @roccobass 's finish seems nicer to me at this moment, but of course all assessments are subject to change as I actually get to spend time with it . No opinion as to tone yet since I had but a few minutes at very quiet volumes to play it.

Congrats! Excited to see some photos.

I know what you mean about variability in maple flame tops. Sight unseen, they can be a bit of a gamble. About the only company that seems to consistently crush it with their flame maple tops is PRS (IMO, of course). I've owned several (and still own two)...always gorgeous well-matched flame tops.

Variability in the tops can be very beautiful, though. Sometimes the variability gives it a more 'raw' or 'natural' look than a super-perfect, symmetrical matched top.

I've had both "perfect" tops and less-than-perfect tops...never became a driver to return or flip one for me, but I definitely believe everyone should be happy with their purchases at the end of the day. In the end, go with whatever works for you.

Can't wait to see it!

 

[Plutonium244]

A few photos of the M7. The maple top is really not too bad, I don't think it'll drive me to return, etc. I can see that the bottom (knob/control) piece (right side as you look at it in the stand) is darker than the top piece just a bit; and in the top left quadrant (as you look at it) the flame is only visible from certain angles, otherwise looks brown and the grain of the wood running up and down (as you look at it on the stand) is more apparent than the horizontal flame striping. Nevertheless, as long as it feels and sounds good, I don't think the top will be an issue; I am just a bit of a perfectionist.

 

[dinodino]

A few photos of the M7. The maple top is really not too bad, I don't think it'll drive me to return, etc. I can see that the bottom (knob/control) piece (right side as you look at it in the stand) is darker than the top piece just a bit; and in the top left quadrant (as you look at it) the flame is only visible from certain angles, otherwise looks brown and the grain of the wood running up and down (as you look at it on the stand) is more apparent than the horizontal flame striping. Nevertheless, as long as it feels and sounds good, I don't think the top will be an issue; I am just a bit of a perfectionist.

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Hm....the pictures aren't showing for me

Edit: working now @Plutonium244 !

 

[jlepre]

A few photos of the M7. The maple top is really not too bad, I don't think it'll drive me to return, etc. I can see that the bottom (knob/control) piece (right side as you look at it in the stand) is darker than the top piece just a bit; and in the top left quadrant (as you look at it) the flame is only visible from certain angles, otherwise looks brown and the grain of the wood running up and down (as you look at it on the stand) is more apparent than the horizontal flame striping. Nevertheless, as long as it feels and sounds good, I don't think the top will be an issue; I am just a bit of a perfectionist.

I think it looks beautiful. How does the neck dimensions compare to the V7 5?

 

[Plutonium244]

I think it looks beautiful. How does the neck dimensions compare to the V7 5?

Thank you. It does look nice and the more I look at it, the more I like it as-is.

Re: the neck comparison between V7 and M7:

The neck of the M7 is a little bit narrower at the nut than the V7 by about 1 to 2 16th of an inch. The fretboard radius is flatter on the M7 so it seems easier to play across, and would probably be better for more progressive techniques like tapping etc. (although I am not a tapper). I feel that the flatter radius makes playability better and chordal stuff easier, but that's a personal preference that not everyone may share. The neck is thinner front-to-back on the M7. I (naturally) like my V7 5-string; after playing the M7 for a day, then picking up the V7 for comparison, the V7 seemed chunkier and not quite as easy to move around on compared to the M7. Still like the V7 too-- just different beasts. The M7 is a 35" scale (on the 5-string) so it's ever so slightly farther to reach in the low registers, but is really quite comfortable, and didn't seem like a 35" scale in feel.

Early impression: I am really liking the pickup selectors, the humbucking modes are very nice and sound great. The only bass I have that has humbuckers is a 80's G&L L-2000 and often I didn't use the humbucker mode much because they seemed to be too powerful in that G&L. The series humbucker mode on the M7 in particular gives a very muscular sound. The Sire website descriptions of the various pickup selection mode sound attributes seems pretty spot on. Mixing the pickup settings gives a very wide tonal palate. You can get great tonal variation even in passive mode with the PUP selection, PUP balance, and master tone.

The B string seems nice, punchy, even, clear. I think the V7 has a very good B string, but I think the B string sound is even better on the M7, to me anyway.

 

[jlepre]

Thank you. It does look nice and the more I look at it, the more I like it as-is.

Re: the neck comparison between V7 and M7:

The neck of the M7 is a little bit narrower at the nut than the V7 by about 1 to 2 16th of an inch. The fretboard radius is flatter on the M7 so it seems easier to play across, and would probably be better for more progressive techniques like tapping etc. (although I am not a tapper). I feel that the flatter radius makes playability better and chordal stuff easier, but that's a personal preference that not everyone may share. The neck is thinner on the M7. I naturally like my V7 5-string; after playing the M7 for a day, then picking up the V7 for comparison, the V7 seemed chunkier and not quite as easy to more around on compared to the M7. Still like the V7 too-- just different beasts. The M7 is a 35" scale so it's ever so slightly farther to reach in the low registers, but is really quite comfortable, and didn't seem like a 35" scale in feel.

Early impression: I am really liking the pickup selectors, the humbucking modes are very nice and sound great. The only bass I have that has humbuckers is a 80's G&L L-2000 and often I didn't use the humbucker mode much because they seemed to be too powerful in that G&L. The series humbucker mode on the M7 in particular gives a very muscular sound. The Sire website descriptions of the various pickup selection mode sound attributes seems pretty spot on. Mixing the pickup settings gives a very wide tonal palate. You can get great tonal variation even in passive mode with the PUP selection, PUP balance, and master tone.

The B string seems nice, punchy, even, clear. I think the V7 has a very good B string, but I think the B string sound is even better on the M7, to me anyway.

Thanks buddy for the comparison. I forgot that it was a 35" scale. How's the weight of the bass and balance?

 

[Plutonium244]

Thanks buddy for the comparison. I forgot that it was a 35" scale. How's the weight of the bass and balance?

I haven't weighed it, but it is definitely lighter than my V7. Roccobass said his was about 8.5 pounds, and that sounds about right. I have not thought consciously about balance, which means it is probably pretty well-balanced, if I didn't notice any neck dive etc. I have been playing mainly sitting though so balance could seem different standing. It has a smaller headstock which helps keep the balance. Funny, but with the smaller body, the 24 fret neck and 35" scale, I am further up the neck than I realize sometimes-- I might, for example, be playing 9th fret A string and I think/feel I am playing about 7th fret. So, the low notes are just a little further out to my left than what it seems like with a V7. Not problematic at all, just something that will take a brief getting-used-to.

 

[jlepre]

I haven't weighed it, but it is definitely lighter than my V7. Roccobass said his was about 8.5 pounds, and that sounds about right. I have not thought consciously about balance, which means it is probably pretty well-balanced, if I didn't notice any neck dive etc. I have been playing mainly sitting though so balance could seem different standing. It has a smaller headstock which helps keep the balance. Funny, but with the smaller body, the 24 fret neck and 35" scale, I am further up the neck than I realize sometimes-- I might, for example, be playing 9th fret A string and I think/feel I am playing about 7th fret. So, the low notes are just a little further out to my left than what it seems like with a V7. Not problematic at all, just something that will take a brief getting-used-to.

Cool! I'm thinking about picking up one of these, but the look is something I would have to get used to. Not my style at all. Not ugly, just not me.

 

[Plutonium244]

Cool! I'm thinking about picking up one of these, but the look is something I would have to get used to. Not my style at all. Not ugly, just not me.

I totally get you there. I am more of a jazz-bass-style guy and I am mainly playing jazz/blues right now where a vintage look is a good visual compliment, but I consciously went out and got something different that goes against the grain of my other basses, but which is still a fine instrument. I have 12 basses now, only 3 are not Fender or Fenderish designs including this M7. Why buy a bass I already have? And it has a feature set my others lack with the coil tap feature.

I am looking forward to hearing from @SpazzTheBassist and @MNM regarding theirs, when they arrive. I know Spazz was supposed to get his yesterday, not sure what MNM's date is, but soon IIRC.

 

[MNM]

My M7 should arrive today. Very excited! Thanks for the early reviews so far. This bass sounds like it will serve its purpose and then some! I wanted a modern, stylish bass with a huge variety of tonal options, that would also lend itself well to two-handed tapping, harmonics, chords, etc.

 

[Plutonium244]

My M7 should arrive today. Very excited! Thanks for the early reviews so far. This bass sounds like it will serve its purpose and then some! I wanted a modern, stylish bass with a huge variety of tonal options, that would also lend itself well to two-handed tapping, harmonics, chords, etc.

Ha! Yes, sounds to me like this is going to be perfect for you.

Let us know when it arrives and what your impression are! Pics or it didn't happen!

 

[Plutonium244]

I think it looks beautiful. How does the neck dimensions compare to the V7 5?

Forgot to mention it, and you probably already know, but re: things about the neck, it has a nice satin finish on it, so it's very smooth to shift.

Mine is # 148, BTW.

 

[jlepre]

Forgot to mention it, and you probably already know, but re: things about the neck, it has a nice satin finish on it, so it's very smooth to shift.

Yeah that's one thing that I will be fixing on my V7. A little scotchbrite will do the trick.

 

[MNM]

Ha! Yes, sounds to me like this is going to be perfect for you.

Let us know when it arrives and what your impression are! Pics or it didn't happen!

Definitely! I will be receiving it today at my work office, so I won't be able to open it and take pics until tonight. Although, I prefer to take pics in the daylight for greater looking results.

 

[qbury]

I totally get you there. I am more of a jazz-bass-style guy and I am mainly playing jazz/blues right now where a vintage look is a good visual compliment, but I consciously went out and got something different that goes against the grain of my other basses, but which is still a fine instrument. I have 12 basses now, only 3 are not Fender or Fenderish designs including this M7. Why buy a bass I already have? And it has a feature set my others lack with the coil tap feature.

I am looking forward to hearing from @SpazzTheBassist and @MNM regarding theirs, when they arrive. I know Spazz was supposed to get his yesterday, not sure what MNM's date is, but soon IIRC.

How is the single coil sound? Can you get mid-rangy burp finger style to scooped slap sounds with just the singles?