Sire Bass Club!

[bholder]

Long time Lurker and eagerly awaiting the M7. My question is I found on Thomann's site some demos of the M3 and wondering if they are accurate to how it really sounds. Any M3 owners able to verify?

Links? In my experience, "how it really sounds" really depends on how you set the controls. Extremely versatile. I have an M3 and two V7s, I'd say any of them can make any sound you might want. The M3 sound is of course influenced by the large pole narrow humbuckers vs. the V7's J pickups, but the preamp can do just about anything.
You mean the audio clips right in the instrument listings? A lot depends on what you're listening through, and the strings, but I'd say yeah, it can do all of those sounds. Not saying I can make all those sounds on it though - I can't funk to save my life.

 

[jjk2007]

For those waiting on your bass just hang in there!! I was gigging with mine last night and it was tone heaven! My Wife ordered my bass for me as a birthday surprise back at the end of May and I believe it arrived within just a few days. She had to have gotten one of the last 5 strings in stock at the time because I remember looking at the website and it saying they were all sold out around the same time she ordered. What timing!! It's all somewhere early on in this thread. I can honestly say with this bass I'm finally GAS free, and that's never happened before.

 

[GoneFission]

Yeah agreed....just hang tight and be patient....they are very worth it. I own two now and ordered my first one (4string alder/black) in early September. I had it in 5 weeks. Pretty much the same for the second one (5string Alder/Sunburst). Just received the 5 string yesterday and it is absolutely gorgeous. Like everyone has said the fit and the finish is absolutely perfect. Mine came pretty much almost set up perfectly to my liking. B string is INTENSE and had to adjust the pickups on mine. Has anyone gone with a taperwound B on their V7? Think i may want to do that to better intonate it. I think i reached the limit on the bridge saddle screw and it won't go back any further. It is VERY close but i think it could be even closer. The Taperwound B would solve that problem. Also mine came strung through the body. That being said now that i need to move that B back the angle over the saddle is getting severe so i definitely think at taperwound is in my near future. Also don't know what i think of the 130 B. 45-65-80-100-130.....that 130 feels like a large jump to me coming off the 100 and may want to try a tapered 125.

And i am trying to find any seem if this is a two or three piece body and can't find any anywhere. If it isn't a one piece then it is an amazing match job and the finish is exceptional! I also own two Squire Vintage Modified 70's and although i love those basses.....they didn't seem to care much AT ALL about trying to match the woods up. Pretty ridiculously blatant on some VM70's i've seen.

Anyway the moral of the story is order one and be patient and you will have an amazing instrument at this price point and maybe at any price between 1k and 2k. I've never had a Sadowsky in my hands but i have owned a Mike Lull 4 and played a few F Basses and many others. Been playing for 35 years and have owned loads of basses and still have a few high end basses. What's going on the next gig? The Sire. Purchased two other basses this past year that are exceptional as well but more money and no preamp. The Bacchus Craft series are really amazingly built instruments as well but like i said come with no preamp and cost me $350 more shipped from Danny Stewart. Awesome service from him and communication. The Craft Bacchus's i have would definitely be 2k plus instruments as far as craftsmanship,feel and tone (they are handmade in Japan). BUT then i started reading and watching videos of the Sire's all over the place this past year and wanted to see what all the fuss was about myself. Fellow bass players let me add my own endorsement of them.....they are very worth it!!! Be patient. If you have the extra coin you may want to look at a Bacchus and for more money they have their DX series with a preamp. But for the money these Sire's are being sold for they are EXTREMELY well made and fine sounding and feeling instruments! I will be selling a few of my other higher end basses (yeah i'm one of those guys....lol) and the Sire's and Bacchus's will be staying

 

[lukiluk]

have you tried to compare them to high end basses?

 

[GoneFission]

lukiluk i think i just said that i did? Well i own an Elrick 5(and 6) here that is an awesome bass that i have owned for over 15 years. Comparing them isn't fair because to me they are going for a different vibe. What i have realized over the years is that i am a jazz bass guy. So i can't keep all of these basses so i will be selling the Elricks this Winter....don't need that BEAUTIFUL Elrick 6 anyway. I just don't play it out and man is it going to be hard letting that go but it should be played and not sitting here! Does that help any?

 

[lukiluk]

I mean high and mid high end jazz bass...like fender sadowsky ecc

 

[GoneFission]

Well i have a 97 Fender American Standard Natural Ash that is pretty phenomenal as well and think i may be selling that now too. Also have a USA G&L JB2(not the Tribute) that i have had for around 15 years as well. Another amazing bass that i'm pretty sure i will be letting go of too now. The Sire just does not take a back seat to either of those if that helps and they are over double the cost now and right now i am digging the Sire 4 now more then either of those. I had the Sire 4 on a gig recently and a fellow friend bass player came up to me and said out of all the basses i have played that he liked the sound of this one (The V7) the best and he was pretty adamant about it! The V75 i just got yesterday so still feeling this baby out but it feels and sounds REALLY nice.

 

[bholder]

have you tried to compare them to high end basses?

It would depend on what you define as "high end". I wouldn't say that would necessarily be a fair comparison, either, nobody is going to mistake a Sire for some custom Ritter or something. Specific brands / builders you're thinking of might help? I have several high end custom basses, but they're not by any of the more well-known ultra-$$$$-ive custom builders. I've already said I think mine compares favorably against Fender USA and G&L, I can't speak for Sadowsky, as I don't have one for comparison.

 

[GoneFission]

And ....lukiluk....i mentioned in that original post the Mike Lull which was no slouch jazz bass. Actually regretted selling that many years ago so it is no longer here to directly compare....but now we are talking 2k...ish for the Lull

 

[bholder]

Well i have a 97 Fender American Standard Natural Ash that is pretty phenomenal as well and think i may be selling that now too. Also have a USA G&L JB2(not the Tribute) that i have had for around 15 years as well. Another amazing bass that i'm pretty sure i will be letting go of too now. The Sire just does not take a back seat to either of those if that helps and they are over double the cost now and right now i am digging the Sire 4 now more then either of those. I had the Sire 4 on a gig recently and a fellow friend bass player came up to me and said out of all the basses i have played that he liked the sound of this one (The V7) the best and he was pretty adamant about it! The V75 i just got yesterday so still feeling this baby out but it feels and sounds REALLY nice.

Nothing at all wrong with either of those other basses, they're "worth it" at their price points, I would say, it's just the Sire is similar quality for so much less. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm still a Fender and (just this past year) G&L as well.

 

[GoneFission]

Agreed.....although i am leaning towards the Alder/Black 4 Sire that i received right now as what is going to be staying. But yeah....totally agree

 

[bholder]

My new scale just arrived, so finally, some reasonably accurate weights: both V7 5s weigh in at a hefty and sturdy 10.4 pounds, even though the ash fretless feels slightly lighter than the alder fretted. The M3 slides in at a very sleek 8.0 pounds, making it great in the tight corners.

 

[thespoon]

My new scale just arrived, so finally, some reasonably accurate weights: both V7 5s weigh in at a hefty and sturdy 10.4 pounds, even though the ash fretless feels slightly lighter than the alder fretted. The M3 slides in at a very sleek 8.0 pounds, making it great in the tight corners.

I like them light and tight. ;-)

That almost matches my Warwick Streamer with a Carolena body (pine) @ 7.75 lbs.
I think I am going to have to buy an M3, soon.

What color did you get and how do you like it?

 

[fenjazz]

And ....lukiluk....i mentioned in that original post the Mike Lull which was no slouch jazz bass. Actually regretted selling that many years ago so it is no longer here to directly compare....but now we are talking 2k...ish for the Lull

I still have a Lull in my collection along with my 2 Sires. The Lull is the lightest bass (7.5 lbs) I've ever owned and I love bring it to long gigs. I have to admit that I've had more positive comments from bandmates and audience members the last few months with my V7 than any other bass I can recall. The mojo is really in the preamp. You can dial in a nice top end tone that's not brittle or harsh.

 

[bholder]

I like them light and tight. ;-)

That almost matches my Warwick Streamer with a Carolena body (pine) @ 7.75 lbs.
I think I am going to have to buy an M3, soon.

What color did you get and how do you like it?

I call it "Brick Red", but it's BRown. A very reddish brown, but more natural looking than the actual red.

I love it. I should get a few new pics of it and the fretted V7 with the QParts minis on.

 

[bholder]

Ok, here's some quick snaps showing the replacement knobs - I really like them. Tiger's Eye on the M3 and Brown Pearl on the V7. The pics doesn't show the brown pearl quite as well, they're both 3d and reflective / glowing in the light, pretty cool.

 

[bholder]

Oh, poop. P.E.W.P PEWP! The recent spam attacks have taken down qparts' site, went to order more for the fretless.

 

[thespoon]

I call it "Brick Red", but it's BRown. A very reddish brown, but more natural looking than the actual red.

I love it. I should get a few new pics of it and the fretted V7 with the QParts minis on.

Thanks. That is the one I am considering. Hard to tell the difference on Sire's site between the red and brown.

 

[jim nolte]

Yeah agreed....just hang tight and be patient....they are very worth it. I own two now and ordered my first one (4string alder/black) in early September. I had it in 5 weeks. Pretty much the same for the second one (5string Alder/Sunburst). Just received the 5 string yesterday and it is absolutely gorgeous. Like everyone has said the fit and the finish is absolutely perfect. Mine came pretty much almost set up perfectly to my liking. B string is INTENSE and had to adjust the pickups on mine. Has anyone gone with a taperwound B on their V7? Think i may want to do that to better intonate it. I think i reached the limit on the bridge saddle screw and it won't go back any further. It is VERY close but i think it could be even closer. The Taperwound B would solve that problem. Also mine came strung through the body. That being said now that i need to move that B back the angle over the saddle is getting severe so i definitely think at taperwound is in my near future. Also don't know what i think of the 130 B. 45-65-80-100-130.....that 130 feels like a large jump to me coming off the 100 and may want to try a tapered 125.

And i am trying to find any seem if this is a two or three piece body and can't find any anywhere. If it isn't a one piece then it is an amazing match job and the finish is exceptional! I also own two Squire Vintage Modified 70's and although i love those basses.....they didn't seem to care much AT ALL about trying to match the woods up. Pretty ridiculously blatant on some VM70's i've seen.

Anyway the moral of the story is order one and be patient and you will have an amazing instrument at this price point and maybe at any price between 1k and 2k. I've never had a Sadowsky in my hands but i have owned a Mike Lull 4 and played a few F Basses and many others. Been playing for 35 years and have owned loads of basses and still have a few high end basses. What's going on the next gig? The Sire. Purchased two other basses this past year that are exceptional as well but more money and no preamp. The Bacchus Craft series are really amazingly built instruments as well but like i said come with no preamp and cost me $350 more shipped from Danny Stewart. Awesome service from him and communication. The Craft Bacchus's i have would definitely be 2k plus instruments as far as craftsmanship,feel and tone (they are handmade in Japan). BUT then i started reading and watching videos of the Sire's all over the place this past year and wanted to see what all the fuss was about myself. Fellow bass players let me add my own endorsement of them.....they are very worth it!!! Be patient. If you have the extra coin you may want to look at a Bacchus and for more money they have their DX series with a preamp. But for the money these Sire's are being sold for they are EXTREMELY well made and fine sounding and feeling instruments! I will be selling a few of my other higher end basses (yeah i'm one of those guys....lol) and the Sire's and Bacchus's will be staying

The strings on the Sire are the ones I use normally, XL 45-130 so I have a lot of experience with them. Tried running the B string through the body of a 55-02 and didn't like the break angle of it at the saddle so restrung them all on top. Don't know if that would affect intonation but when I get my V7 I'll probably just re-string it topside. Way up on this thread somebody else was having that issue and Mickey sent him some longer screws and that seemed to cure the problem. I thought he said that the longer screws would be standard from now on, maybe that customer will chime in as I don't remember who it was. I have one boutique bass, Fbass BN5, and one vintage, '65 L series Jazz, if the Sire is as good as I'm hoping it will be that trio of basses will be pretty much all I'll need for years as I don't have much interest in fretless. Edit: maybe it was shorter screws so they wouldn't bottom out in the saddle before the saddle was all the way to the back of the bridge. The only bass I've had the issue was an '80s G&L L 1000. Similar design with the screw bottoming out inside the E string saddle before it was intonated, even took the spring off to get a little closer to the back of the bridge but was still a little sharp both by ear and tuner. Jim

 

[Bennettj]

Yeah agreed....just hang tight and be patient....they are very worth it. I own two now and ordered my first one (4string alder/black) in early September. I had it in 5 weeks. Pretty much the same for the second one (5string Alder/Sunburst). Just received the 5 string yesterday and it is absolutely gorgeous. Like everyone has said the fit and the finish is absolutely perfect. Mine came pretty much almost set up perfectly to my liking. B string is INTENSE and had to adjust the pickups on mine. Has anyone gone with a taperwound B on their V7? Think i may want to do that to better intonate it. I think i reached the limit on the bridge saddle screw and it won't go back any further. It is VERY close but i think it could be even closer. The Taperwound B would solve that problem. Also mine came strung through the body. That being said now that i need to move that B back the angle over the saddle is getting severe so i definitely think at taperwound is in my near future. Also don't know what i think of the 130 B. 45-65-80-100-130.....that 130 feels like a large jump to me coming off the 100 and may want to try a tapered 125.

And i am trying to find any seem if this is a two or three piece body and can't find any anywhere. If it isn't a one piece then it is an amazing match job and the finish is exceptional! I also own two Squire Vintage Modified 70's and although i love those basses.....they didn't seem to care much AT ALL about trying to match the woods up. Pretty ridiculously blatant on some VM70's i've seen.

Anyway the moral of the story is order one and be patient and you will have an amazing instrument at this price point and maybe at any price between 1k and 2k. I've never had a Sadowsky in my hands but i have owned a Mike Lull 4 and played a few F Basses and many others. Been playing for 35 years and have owned loads of basses and still have a few high end basses. What's going on the next gig? The Sire. Purchased two other basses this past year that are exceptional as well but more money and no preamp. The Bacchus Craft series are really amazingly built instruments as well but like i said come with no preamp and cost me $350 more shipped from Danny Stewart. Awesome service from him and communication. The Craft Bacchus's i have would definitely be 2k plus instruments as far as craftsmanship,feel and tone (they are handmade in Japan). BUT then i started reading and watching videos of the Sire's all over the place this past year and wanted to see what all the fuss was about myself. Fellow bass players let me add my own endorsement of them.....they are very worth it!!! Be patient. If you have the extra coin you may want to look at a Bacchus and for more money they have their DX series with a preamp. But for the money these Sire's are being sold for they are EXTREMELY well made and fine sounding and feeling instruments! I will be selling a few of my other higher end basses (yeah i'm one of those guys....lol) and the Sire's and Bacchus's will be staying

That is really good to know and,i cant wait to get it. I just got a new to me silverado combo and,its sitting in its corner waiting for the sire. Always did love the silverado and redhead combos.

The thing is,i also ordered my bass in early september also. I guess i have fallen thru the cracks somehow. My order # is 461*. Now, i see people with 5000#s,already have their v7 in hand.
I guess i should have paid more attention,but ya know how family stuff can be.
Guess i better shoot mickey an email or call or something.I dont wanna get left out again. hopefully,i can get in that after thanksgiving shipment !!!