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Sire Marcus Miller vs. Fender Players Series

LowRick

LowRick

Mar 24, 2019
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Garrelsweer
#1
Now before anyone starts, i have actually been searching for info on this. If i have been a blind idiot, and a thread like this already exists please let me know.

Now on topic:
I'm looking to buy a new (or secondhand) bass and my budget is not too big. I'm bassist in a CCR-band which we've just started and i think i'd be better fitting inside it with a jazz bass. I have a SBMM Ray 35 which i use mostly and a Squier Telecaster P-bass 4 string.

Now i'm not looking for a 4 or 5 string discussion here, but after a lot of browsing and looking at specs on the net i've come to these two, the Marcus Miller v7 or a Players MIM. Ultimatly (maybe when i'm very grey and old) i'd love to have an American Fender JB but for now, i work for the living so it'll have to wait. I just love the growl in it and that is where i want to compare the 2 mostly. Price-wise they're both well suited to my budget.

The one music instrument store in the nearby town just closed and the other have the most unfriendly people i've ever seen (i'm willing to believe they either train them to become so or select people who posses the natural chagrin obviously mandatory to work there). Then there is this small guitar-shop here in the village which i really like and want to support, so i'll buy it through that (i'd never buy a bass that i haven't played on. i'm just old-fashioned like that). To have the shop-owner order a truckload of basses for me to try out isn't a good way to make friends with him, so i thought i'd post this here maybe to get more indication on which one i should try.

Thanks in advance all!
 
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#2
You'll do just fine with one of these.
It's a Fender, you'll be able to tell your friends it's exactly what you've always expected from a Fender, the price is right, it looks pretty damned good, and if you have to upgrade the pickups (though I doubt there's a need) you can do it easily.
Plenty of people like the Sire's sure, and they're not bad, but I just don't like their necks for some reason.
 
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#3
I've heard so many rave reviews on Sire, including a local bassist that said it's the best bass he's ever recorded with. But I dont like actives in general, and I just cant get down with all the knobs.

So IMO that's what it comes down to: do you want all that tweaking and control, or do you want the simplicity.

I love the players, every one I have touched was a dream.
 
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#4
LowRick said:
Now on topic:
I'm looking to buy a new (or secondhand) bass and my budget is not too big. I'm bassist in a CCR-band which we've just started and i think i'd be better fitting inside it with a jazz bass. I have a SBMM Ray 35 which i use mostly and a Squier Telecaster P-bass 4 string.

Now i'm not looking for a 4 or 5 string discussion here, but after a lot of browsing and looking at specs on the net i've come to these two, the Marcus Miller v7 or a Players MIM. Ultimatly (maybe when i'm very grey and old) i'd love to have an American Fender JB but for now, i work for the living so it'll have to wait. I just love the growl in it and that is where i want to compare the 2 mostly. Price-wise they're both well suited to my budget.

Thanks in advance all!
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, have you considered a used American Fender JB? If that's what you ultimately want, it's not that far off the price a new MM V7 or Players MIM.
Between your two options, I would probably buy the Marcus Miller V7 version 2. It is more versatile with that option of going either passive or active. I've played in both modes, neither one is a compromise imo, they're both good. In passive, you only control three knobs like a jazz. Volume/tone and blend, in active, you add the control of the other knobs, bass, treble, mid, mid-sweep. I owned a Sire V3 and a couple of MIM Jazz basses - my Sire had more to offer and I sold my MIM Fender basses before I sold my Sire. (note - only sold my Sire because I eventually plan to get the version 2 with the rounded fretboard edges and improved electronics someday, besides I'm on a P bass kick these days).
 
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#6
Maxdusty said:
Just out of curiosity, have you considered a used American Fender JB? If that's what you ultimately want, it's not that far off the price a new MM V7 or Players MIM.
Click to expand...

I have, in fact, i have had my eye on an '89 Longhorn. I love it, but it's almost twice as expensive as the fore mentioned. Idk how it is in the US, but here a secondhand AM Fender is still pretty expensive. i do think they're worth it, but atm i'm looking at the more reasonably priced and leave something to wish for. Having (to have to) said that (lol), in the back of my head i'm leaving that option open.
 
#7
Hey Guys!
I want to buy a new bass. I tried the Fender player series jazz bass. It has great sound, but the neck is not too comfy for me. My last two bass were a Squier VM70s with perfectly feel neck and a Sire v7 5 strings 1st generation (it was heavy so I sold it). The Sire v7 vintage 4 strings (2nd gen) looks nice, great sound, looking comfy neck, but I haven't tried it yet. What do you think? Which is better? Sire V7 vintage or Fender player Jazz bass (quality, sound, feel, keep the price)
Thanks
 
#8
Szabi said:
Hey Guys!
I want to buy a new bass. I tried the Fender player series jazz bass. It has great sound, but the neck is not too comfy for me. My last two bass were a Squier VM70s with perfectly feel neck and a Sire v7 5 strings 1st generation (it was heavy so I sold it). The Sire v7 vintage 4 strings (2nd gen) looks nice, great sound, looking comfy neck, but I haven't tried it yet. What do you think? Which is better? Sire V7 vintage or Fender player Jazz bass (quality, sound, feel, keep the price)
Thanks
Click to expand...

I've had a few Sire Gen1s, a Fender Player Jazz, and currently a Sire V7 Gen2. I love the Sire for the tone, build, and feel.

The Player series are really well made and a great release (my Player P Bass is wonderful).

I agree with what you said, the Jazz neck on the Player felt a bit off to me, simply preference and not a dig on the Fender. For me the LPB, matching headstock, slimmer neck, block inlays and tone is what did it for me on my Sire.

I would say look at what type of player you are and what styles you play. If you're mainly a rock guy and want the less compressed sound of a passive J, then go with the Player. If you want the smaller neck and the various tones, go with the Sire.

Just to throw a wrench in your plans....there is a passive Sire V5 that is killer too....
 
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#9
Szabi said:
Hey Guys!
I want to buy a new bass. I tried the Fender player series jazz bass. It has great sound, but the neck is not too comfy for me. My last two bass were a Squier VM70s with perfectly feel neck and a Sire v7 5 strings 1st generation (it was heavy so I sold it). The Sire v7 vintage 4 strings (2nd gen) looks nice, great sound, looking comfy neck, but I haven't tried it yet. What do you think? Which is better? Sire V7 vintage or Fender player Jazz bass (quality, sound, feel, keep the price)
Thanks
Click to expand...

Another underating nice bass choice
Cort GB74JJ. Brighter tone than Player J, plus better hardware use, active/passive mode, sculpted neck joints and humcanceling pickups.
 
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#10
twc1313 said:
I've had a few Sire Gen1s, a Fender Player Jazz, and currently a Sire V7 Gen2. I love the Sire for the tone, build, and feel.

The Player series are really well made and a great release (my Player P Bass is wonderful).

I agree with what you said, the Jazz neck on the Player felt a bit off to me, simply preference and not a dig on the Fender. For me the LPB, matching headstock, slimmer neck, block inlays and tone is what did it for me on my Sire.

I would say look at what type of player you are and what styles you play. If you're mainly a rock guy and want the less compressed sound of a passive J, then go with the Player. If you want the smaller neck and the various tones, go with the Sire.

Just to throw a wrench in your plans....there is a passive Sire V5 that is killer too....
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply!
Yes, I thinking about Sire V5 but I can't find any review. I like roasted finish. Actually I have some problem with v7 preamp, is too much for me. I need a pure jazz bass sound without any preamp. So Fender player jazzbass vs Sire v5 is the big question :) Does anybody have experience with V5?
 
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#12
I got a v7 when they first came out. It's a perfectly fine instrument, but overall, to me, they feel cheap. The body and electronics are nice, it's the neck and tuning machines that are really lacking, in my opinion. I'll keep it and I pick up often, but it's no more spectacular than you should expect from a $500 instrument.

Sounds great though.

Sire + SKB

Sire + SKB


 
Last edited:
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#13
Szabi said:
Thanks for your reply!
Yes, I thinking about Sire V5 but I can't find any review. I like roasted finish. Actually I have some problem with v7 preamp, is too much for me. I need a pure jazz bass sound without any preamp. So Fender player jazzbass vs Sire v5 is the big question :) Does anybody have experience with V5?
Click to expand...
I have a V5 and loving it. Easy to play, very well made and comfortable neck
 
#14
I can't leave anything alone when it comes to gear and I'm suddenly wanted a true jazz bass - I have a Warwick Corvette Active but just because it has a JJ configuration doesn't mean it's a jazz bass substitue.

I've been looking at the Sire V5 for months now because it's just so good looking (and the Geddy Lee signature as a random double the price alternative) - check out this youtube video comparing fender to the V5

The same guy has a review on just the V5 as well

As with anything, you need to get your hands on it to actually feel and experience it, there aren't many Sire dealers around that I know of. I haven't seen any dealers for me to check out in the Boston area. Could always just order one and hope for the best!
 
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#17
jasonmatthews said:
I got a v7 when they first came out. It's a perfectly fine instrument, but overall, to me, they feel cheap. The body and electronics are nice, it's the neck and tuning machines that are really lacking, in my opinion. I'll keep it and I pick up often, but it's no more spectacular than you should expect from a $500 instrument.

Sounds great though.

Sire + SKB

Sire + SKB


Click to expand...

Great slap and double thumb technique
 

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