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Sire Bass Club!

What color/wood combination do you own?

  • Bright Metallic Red/ Ash

    Votes: 17 1.6%

  • Bright Metallic Red/ Alder

    Votes: 33 3.2%

  • Natural/ Ash

    Votes: 173 16.7%

  • Sunburst/ Ash

    Votes: 104 10.0%

  • Sunburst/ Alder

    Votes: 165 15.9%

  • White/ Ash

    Votes: 86 8.3%

  • White/ Alder

    Votes: 122 11.7%

  • Black/ Alder

    Votes: 104 10.0%

  • M3

    Votes: 28 2.7%

  • M7

    Votes: 85 8.2%

  • I'm a heretic - I don't own one yet, but I'll see the light soon enough!

    Votes: 243 23.4%
  • Total voters
    1,039
  • Poll closed .
#18,122
Rodeojones said:
Long time lurker here. Last week I took a chance on a 5 string V7 in lake placid blue and I'm quite impressed. The neck and fret work, especially, seem more like what one would expect on a much higher end instrument. I imagine it's only a matter of time before I add another Sire to my collection. I do need a fretless, after all.

My only tiny gripe is the control knobs. I'm not a fan of the plastic. But I see a few mentions of this here and there in other threads, so I figure I'll be upgrading them sooner rather than later.

My next practice is Friday, and I'm super pumped to debut this in a full setting. Cheers, everyone.

(I'll try to share pics another time.)
Click to expand...

I've been lucky pulling these plastic knobs off. Go slowly and pull STRAIGHT up; do NOT rock the knobs from side to side! I've heard of people using spoons or other tools to pry them up, but I would suggest finger force only -- uncomfortable but safer. The stems (especially the top knobs of the double pots) seem to be a little fragile and can break out of the pots if you yank too suddenly.

And yes, you need a V7 fretless! I really love mine.
 
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#18,123
eli said:
I've been lucky pulling these plastic knobs off. Go slowly and pull STRAIGHT up; do NOT rock the knobs from side to side! I've heard of people using spoons or other tools to pry them up, but I would suggest finger force only -- uncomfortable but safer. The stems (especially the top knobs of the double pots) seem to be a little fragile and can break out of the pots if you yank too suddenly.

And yes, you need a V7 fretless! I really love mine.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the suggestion. I spent some time reading through random posts about the knobs and I came across quite a few horror stories. I do have a tendency to manhandle things, so I'll be sure to work slow and steady. I found a set of knobs on Amazon that I'm going to try. I figured if they don't work out, returns are simple.
 
#18,124
Rodeojones said:
I appreciate the suggestion. I spent some time reading through random posts about the knobs and I came across quite a few horror stories. I do have a tendency to manhandle things, so I'll be sure to work slow and steady. I found a set of knobs on Amazon that I'm going to try. I figured if they don't work out, returns are simple.
Click to expand...
A piece of shoelace. Slide under the knob, around the shaft, lift. Jump to 34:08 in this video to see:
 
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#18,126
FullumMusic said:
A piece of shoelace. Slide under the knob, around the shaft, lift. Jump to 34:08 in this video to see:
Click to expand...


In all seriousness, this is fine for "normal" pressed-on knobs. The horror stories in these pages are because the Sire knobs are *ludicrously* tight, and the shafts are unusually thin. Jerking up with a string like this is the kind of quick yank that breaks Sire pots. Seriously, use just your fingers SLOWLY so you don't overstress the pot shaft. I remember mine taking a good three to five minutes (and several choice words) each. Time well spent to avoid having to find/buy another preamp.
 
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#18,127
Yeah, very easy to damage pot's if not careful. I used a combination of things but gingerly moved side to side to remove them to tighten nuts
Rodeojones said:
I appreciate the suggestion. I spent some time reading through random posts about the knobs and I came across quite a few horror stories. I do have a tendency to manhandle things, so I'll be sure to work slow and steady. I found a set of knobs on Amazon that I'm going to try. I figured if they don't work out, returns are simple.
Click to expand...
Do you mind me asking which ones?
 
#18,128
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#18,132
gimmeagig said:
I actually like the look of the knobs. What I don't like is that they are not flush with the control plate. That looks really cheesy to me. I removed the knobs and the preamp slid washers under the pots and put it back together. Now it looks right. Careful with the on off mini toggle.
Click to expand...

Interesting suggestion. Might try that with my M7... kinda beanstalky.
 
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#18,133
gimmeagig said:
I actually like the look of the knobs. What I don't like is that they are not flush with the control plate. That looks really cheesy to me. I removed the knobs and the preamp slid washers under the pots and put it back together. Now it looks right. Careful with the on off mini toggle.
Click to expand...
Will check mine also and see if they could use lowering also!
 
#18,135
This is all for the U5 short scale owners...
I have to say after playing full scale basses most of my life. This is a very solid bass.
My question is about the pickups and electronics. I'm just not happy with the output, and bottom end.. My other basses with P pickups have more volume, and bottom end.
Is this where Sire went cheap on this bass?
Tried raising the pickups, not much of a difference at all..
Thinking about installing Dimarzio relentless pickups ,and new pots,and cap.
COME ON U5 PLAYERS, I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.!!!
16795894913363078000232245176236.jpg
 
#18,136
peekypoo said:
This is all for the U5 short scale owners...
I have to say after playing full scale basses most of my life. This is a very solid bass.
My question is about the pickups and electronics. I'm just not happy with the output, and bottom end.. My other basses with P pickups have more volume, and bottom end.
Is this where Sire went cheap on this bass?
Tried raising the pickups, not much of a difference at all..
Thinking about installing Dimarzio relentless pickups ,and new pots,and cap.
COME ON U5 PLAYERS, I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.!!!
View attachment 5022944
Click to expand...

I have Dimarzio Model PJ pickups in my U5. All the bass and output you might ever need.
 
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