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Sire on sale.

#21
I have a Sire P5 and love it. The only thing I changed out was the stock strings, for a .105 set instead of the stock .100. Past that, it plays and sounds great. For the price (especially the discounted price) I think it's hard to go wrong. Mine was listed as 8 lbs 13 oz, but I weighed it in at 8 lbs and 6 or 7 oz. I had noticed a review or two mentioning the stock hex key not fitting the truss rod, but I bought mine 1 year ago and the included hex key was perfectly fine.

I'd never played such a rolled fretboard before, but I enjoy it a lot. It's not a necessity to me, but it is also not a hinderance. If you don't end up liking it, re-sale shouldn't be an issue. It may not attract die hard Fender fans, but there's definitely a market for them.
 
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#26
Have two Z7’s. One fretted and one fretless. Was not a fan of the preamp or the neck pickups. Have heard the neck pickups have been addressed on current Z7’s. I ended up replacing pickups and preamp on both.
Both weigh right up at approx 10lbs. Really comfy neck on both.
IMG_0040.jpeg
 
#27
Perhaps a contrary view...

Sire get a lot of love here, probably correctly. I was set to probably buy one last summer on a day trip to Sweetwater HQ. Played a P5 and V5 for 90 minutes and just couldn't connect with the feel and especially the sound. I left with nothing, eventually picked up a used Yamaha BB1025X, which scratched the itch I had.

Not sure why, but that sequence of decisions worked for me .

As always, YMMV.

.
 
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#29
Here is my $500 M2.

Love this thing! Just popped the electronics cover, Sheilding paint and wrap for $500? stainless frets? faux body binding and a neck joint that tight?
Looks like I can wire this thing for a coil tap, I'm going to have fun hot-rodding this thing.

So yeah, Sire is doing things right, always nice to see quality at the low end.
 

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#30
Perhaps a contrary view...

Sire gets a lot of love here, probably correctly. I was set to probably buy one last summer on a day trip to Sweetwater HQ. Played a P5 and V5 for 90 minutes and just couldn't connect with the feel and especially the sound. I left with nothing, eventually picked up a used Yamaha BB1025X, which scratched the itch I had.

Not sure why, but that sequence of decisions worked for me .

As always, YMMV.

.
 
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#31
joeLowB said:
Perhaps a contrary view...

Sire get a lot of love here, probably correctly. I was set to probably buy one last summer on a day trip to Sweetwater HQ. Played a P5 and V5 for 90 minutes and just couldn't connect with the feel and especially the sound. I left with nothing, eventually picked up a used Yamaha BB1025X, which scratched the itch I had.

Not sure why, but that sequence of decisions worked for me .

As always, YMMV.

.
Click to expand...
Yep, I bought a used bongo for a song, always wanted one, loved the neck played great, better made than every stingray I've tried, but I just couldn't get any sound out of it I liked, very clean and smooth, but very boring to my ears even though people love them (sans toilet seat haters)

It's why I try and buy locally if possible.
 
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#33
Had a 5 string jazz style (the active one, I think it was a generation 1) and I currently own a fretless PJ 5 (generation 2). Both of them are great instruments, but they are fairly heavy. Tones are pretty modern, the necks/frets feel great and the preamp is versatile. If you can get one at a good price, I don't think it'll disappoint you.
 
#34
I bit on the same deal that Sweetwater had a couple of months ago. I bought a Black Sire P5 (Pictured in my Avatar). The build quality was excellent and on point with MIA Fenders that I've owned. The only downside IMO is the electronics (Pots and Input jack). They are very cheap and mine shorted out on the second gig (due to me sweating on them). I've upgraded mine to CTS 250k pots and a switchcraft jack and everything has been great. Not a huge fan of the lower output pickup and lower bass output, but it's very clean sounding. Overall for the $450 spent, it's a heck of a deal!
 
#35
Just got the M5 and I've gotta say I'm really impressed. Fit and finish makes it feel like a much more expensive bass than it is. It was just easy to play right out if the box -- and it did come in a box, no gig bag. Took a bit of time to familiarize myself with the preamp, which reminds me a little of the Audere I put on my Jazz V with a little more top end, but that may just be the pickups. Either way, if you're thinking about getting one, I say go for it.
 
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#37
For those mentioning weight issues, the v6 in mahogany is extremely lightweight.
I got one in 3-tone tobacco sunburst ("sandblasted") that looks incredible.
Playability is great: comfortable neck profile, rolled edges, low action, just right.
The active electronics do their job, but it can also be played in passive mode (which I usually do).
QC at least in my case dropped the ball (there is a visible gap between the metal piece the E tuner is installed in and the headstock: I hate to see it but it doesn't affect intonation).
I think I paid it 600 euro and it's worth every penny, I think build quality is somewhere between top Mexican (like a Vintera, which I own) and entry-level USA fenders (which I owned).
 
#39
I have a fretless V7. I like it. Downsides are the weight, and a battery compartment that needs a piece of cardboard (or some other matter) for the battery to fully connect. Upsides are the feel of the neck and the wide range of sounds/tones.
 
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